The Soviet veto of the three-power resolution calling for settlement of the Syrian complaint against the Israeli hydroelectric project on the Jordan River in northeastern Israel left two resolutions on the problem before the Council, both introduced by Lebanon. One would censure the project as a possible breach of the peace, and the other calls upon truce supervisor Gen. Vagn Bennike to attempt further conciliation of the two parties to the dispute.
The veto by Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Y. Vishinsky last Friday night, came at the end of the 16th session of the Council on the issue. His negative vote, under Council rules, defeated the resolution although it had the required seven votes. This was the first time that the USSR vetoed a matter pertaining to Israel.
Mr. Vishinsky had insisted that the Western resolution disregarded Syria’s right to a veto over Israeli projects in the demilitarized zone. This principle was opposed throughout by the United States, Britain and France, sponsors of the resolution.
After the vote, British delegate Sir Gladwynn Jebb denounced the veto as “melancholy and sinister,” UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold inferentially scolded the Council by pointing out that the problem was becoming urgent in terms of the world scene. He also asked the Council to adopt some resolution giving Gen. Bennike authority to work out a compromise solution between the parties. The Council adjourned without setting the time of its next meeting.
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