A resolution embracing five points of the six-point Middle East program laid before the special emergency session of the UN General Assembly here last week by President Eisenhower was introduced at the Assembly today. The resolution omits Eisenhower’s proposal dealing with “steps to avoid a new arms race spiral” in the Middle East.
The resolution goes one step beyond the Elsenhower proposal by giving Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold authority to implement the purposes and inviting him to report back to the Assembly not later than September 30.
The resolution, basing itself on the old “essentials for peace” stand adopted by the United Nations in 1949 calls on all members to “refrain from any threats or acts direct or indirect aimed at impairing the freedom, independence or integrity of any state, or fomenting civil strife and subverting the will of the people of any state.”
The resolution calls upon all member states to observe these obligations strictly “by word and deed in relation to the general area of the Middle East.” Sponsoring the resolution were Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Liberia, Norway, Panama and Paraguay. Letters to the President of the General Assembly from Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd were circulated simultaneously with the resolution.
The letters appeared to be pledges by the big two Western Powers to withdraw their forces from Lebanon and Jordan if this draft resolution is passed, as no longer necessary “for the maintenance of international peace and security.” Authoritative sources in both the American and British delegations expressed confidence that the resolution would commend the needed two-thirds majority in the Assembly.
Noting that Mr. Hammarskjold already has studied the possibility of asking the next regular session of the General Assembly to establish a stand-by United Nations peace force, the draft “invites” Mr. Hammarskjold to continue those studies. However, in being requested to study the feasibility of a peace force, Mr. Hammarskjold is given that instruction only in reference to the Arab countries. He would also be instructed by the resolution to study the possibility of a “development institution” to further economic growth, but again, only in the context of the Arab countries.
One of the proposals made by Mr. Elsenhower concerned the monitoring of radio transmissions which might foment conflict. That point is embraced in that part of the resolution which urges all members to refrain from fomenting civil strife “by word and deed.”
It was noted here that only one member of the Afro-Asian bloc, and that one considered of relatively minor importance, was willing to co-sponsor the draft. That country is Liberia. On the other hand, three important Latin-American members–Colombia, Panama and Paraguay–are among the co-sponsors, indicating a possibility of wide backing from the Latin American group.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
