U.S. Presents Note to Israel Government on Border Security

An American note on Arab-Israel border security was today handed to Premier Moshe Sharett in his Jerusalem office by Francis Russell, American Charge d’Affaires. It is understood that the note also represents the views of the British and French Governments. The proposal which Mr. Russell–who was in Washington for consultations with the State Department last week–presented to the Israel Premier is believed to suggest:

1. Replacement of Gen. Vagn Bennike as head of the United Nations truce supervision organization and replacement of his staff by a new team of observers which would include British officers; 2. Strengthening the UN observer staff by providing it with helicopters; 3. Widening the powers of the chairmen of the four mixed armistice commissions; 4. Marking out all border lines; 5. Agreement by both Israel and Jordan to participate in MAC meetings, and renewal of the Israel-Jordan agreement giving certain discretionary powers to local commanders; and, 6. Agreement by Israel to permit Arabs to cross Israel territory from the Gaza strip to the Hebron area.

Talks between Ambassador Eric Johnston, President Eisenhower’s personal envoy, and Premier Moshe Sharett and several members of his Cabinet on the American-proposed plan for development of the Jordan Valley’s resources began here today and will continue tomorrow. A report on the talks was presented to the Cabinet today by Mr. Sharett.

Mr. Johnston arrived in Israel Friday and immediately went to confer with Premier Sharett. In a brief comment upon his arrival, he declared that his four days of talks with Arab representatives in Cairo last week were exploratory and inconclusive. Beside the American plan, the Arabs and Israel have each offered a plan for development of the region.