There is no sign of closer cooperation between the Governments of Israel and Jordan, Maj. Gen Vagn Bennike, chief of the United Nation’s truce supervisory organization in Palestine, today reported to the UN Security Council.
Gen. Bennike emphasized in his report that there was a possible threat to the security of the area if the present tension between Israel and the neighboring Arab countries does not diminish. There has been no decrease in the tension on the Israel-Egyptian border either, he stated.
Referring to the Israel-Jordan conference convoked by the UN. Secretary General, Dag Hammarskjold, for which no date has as yet been set since Jordan has not acknowledged Mr. Hammarskjold’s invitation, Gen. Bennike said: “The difficulties which have arisen in connection with the convocation of that conference have not contributed to create a better atmosphere between the two countries.”
The UN truce chief pointed out in his report that acts of violence on the Israel-Jordan border have increased since the Kibya raid. “No incident of major proportions, comparable to the incident at Kibya has occurred,” he said, but went on to declare that minor acts of violence had actually increased and the tension along the demarcation line had been maintained.
REPORTS INCREASE IN NUMBER OF ISRAELI COMPLAINTS
The number of Israeli complaints had risen sharply during the past few months, Gen. Bennike reported. “An increase in the number of complaints does not, however, suffice to indicate a deterioration in the local situation on the border, “he added.” It may indicate an intensification of the cold war between the central authorities. Indeed, since the adoption of the resolution of the Security Council, the total number of complaints of various kinds has substantially increased on both sides.”
“The situation needs careful watching, particularly in the present time in connection with the implementation of the Israel-Jordanian and Israel-Egyptian general armistice agreements, and I shall not fail to keep the Security Council informed of any developments deserving its consideration.” Gen. Bennike said.
With regard to the Israel-Syrian dispute over the use of Jordan River waters. Gen. Bennike reports that the work which was started by Israel last September on a canal between the River Jordan and Lake Tiberias has not been resumed in the demilitarized zone. The general situation on the Israel-Jordan frontier remains “unaltered, “the report added.
On the Israel-Lebanese border, Gen. Bennike reported, there are “relatively few and minor” difficulties in connection with the application of the armistice agreement. These difficulties have existed for more than three months, he stated.
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