U.S. Lauded for Firm Stand at U.N. on Israel-syrian Dispute

American diplomacy, which cently has been the recipient of much unfavorable criticism over the gyrati### its Middle East policies was praised today in many United Nations quarters ### firmness it is now displaying in the Syrian-Israeli dispute over the Bnot Ya### hydroelectric project.

Throughout a hectic day of consultations and negotiations yesterday, the United States delegation stood firm and refrained even from consideration of the ### proposals for modifying the three-power draft in a manner to imply that Syrian sent was necessary for projects in the demilitarized zone.

It was pointed out today that Henry Cabot Lodge, chief American delegation ### no part in the talks with the Lebanese and pointedly showed a lack of concern ### them. It is understood that the Americans, along with the British and French are given the Israelis powerful assurances when they submitted their draft res### that a basic principle was that no Syrian consent was needed for projects in ### militarized zone.

The attitude of the British and French delegations last night indicated ### had been yielding to the Arab pressure to accept modification of a text wh### imply that Syrian consent was necessary. This retreat from their original ### was variously ascribed here to the fear that unless Arab agreement was ### no resolution would be possible, or as a desire to offset the powerful app### Arabs represented by the Soviet opposition to the resolution, or as an effect cate the Arabs over the rough handling they had received on colonial issue###

It appeared to many observers here that the British and French were ### reverse themselves on the assurances given the Israelis in order to reach ###ment with the Arabs, and then force this agreed solution upon the Israelis###

The Israelis have no particular liking for the Big Three resolution, accepted it in view of the express commitments by its sponsors that Syria ### no veto right. If the British and French are prepared to push through a ### which would imply that Syria has a veto right over Israeli projects in the ### ized zone, then Israel will fight that resolution with all means at its co###

(After a meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Henry Byroade to### Ambassador Abba Eban declared in Washington that he had received a “### pression” that the U.S. had not changed its position on the Syrian com### UN since the Big Three draft resolution had been submitted December.