The United States was expected here today to announce the State Department’s backing of the “good offices” offer on Israel-Arab issues made to the representatives of eight Arab League states in London yesterday by British Minister of State Selwyn Lloyd.
Such backing when it comes will, however, not originate at the United Nations; rather it will come from Washington. It is expected to be voiced by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles himself. He is scheduled to return to Washington immediately after his major address in the General Assembly’s general debate here tomorrow afternoon.
The question of Britain’s offer of Israel Arab mediation came up here today in discussions with the American delegation’s spokesman. He showed great reluctance to discuss the issue. Later, however, it became apparent that the State Department would prefer to keep that issue to the American governmental level rather than the UN level, giving Washington an opportunity to back Mr. Lloyd as a co-signatory of the tripartite declaration.
FRANCE EXPECTED TO SUPPORT BRITISH MEDIATION
Following Mr. Dulles’ endorsement of Mr. Lloyd’s statement it is understood France–the third signatory of the declaration–will also express its approval of the British offer, thus keeping intact the three-power partnership in relation to Israel-Arab questions.
A spokesman of the U.S. delegation here was asked today whether Arab diplomats had an appointment with the State Department to discuss what action they want the Western Powers to take against Israel, as they had done in a collective meeting with British Minister of State Selwyn Lloyd last week. The spokesman said that he did not know of any such appointment at this time.
Meanwhile, it became apparent here today that the Palestine issue will come before the current session of the General Assembly much earlier than expected. Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold today placed an item which had been number 18 on the agenda in the number one agenda spot of the Ad Hoc Political Committee of the Assembly. The item is the report of Henry R. Labouisse, director of the UN Belief and Works Agency for the Palestine Refugees.
By plating the Arab refugee item at the top of the Ad Hoc Committee’s agenda, the UN Secretariat may have provided an opportunity for breaking open discussion on the Israel-Arab conflict even before Arab League spokesmen address the Assembly itself in general debate.
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