Major General Carl C. von Horn, chief of staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, filed his report today with Secretary General U Thant on “The Recent Dangerous Developments in the Lake Tiberias area.” The “dangerous developments,” which led to a serious clash between the armed forces of Israel and Syria ten days ago, will be discussed at a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council starting tomorrow.
While attempting to be neutral between Israel and Syria, the UN truce chief indicates in his report that Israel had insisted on a peaceful situation in the Lake Tiberias area but at the same time had warned that Syria was “playing with fire.” The report shows that Israel Foreign Minister Golda Meir complained directly to U Thant and that Israel continually complained about various incidents to the UN Truce Supervision Organization and to the Mixed Armistice Commission.
ISRAEL REJECTS PROPOSAL TO HAVE U.N. BOATS PATROL LAKE TIBERIAS
Throughout the 13-page report, Gen. Von Horn reiterated that UN observation posts observed a number of Syrian attacks including attacks by Syrian jets. “The increase in the number of jet planes flying over the area, as well as sporadic firing at the military or civilians reflects the present tension, “Gen. von Horn stated. The UN officer reported that in order to help ease tension, Mrs., Meir told him that Israel police boats would keep out of the lake for a few days until the UN established another observation post on the Syrian side at El-Koursi.
According to Gen. von Horn, he proposed to Foreign Minister Meir two steps which could relieve tension. One concerned a proposal made in 1956 by the late Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold that a special UN boat patrol Lake Tiberias. This proposal, he said, met with “strong objections” on the part of Israel. Another proposal which Gen. von Horn said he also made to the Chief of Staff of the Syrian Army, was that UN military observers visit the demilitarized zone in the area where “each party suspects that the other built up and may continue to build up its forces.”
He said that both sides realized the importance of this proposal but Gen. von Horn fails to mention the response he got from either side to the suggestion. His report concludes by recommending that the “two parties should cooperate with UN military observers who should enjoy the necessary freedom of movement for the fulfillment of this mission.”
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