Israel today voted with the majority in the United Nations Political Committee to adopt a resolution backed by the United States and 14 other nations inviting the states whose troops fought under the UN command in Korea to participate in the forthcoming peace conference.
The Jewish State also voted with the Soviet bloc and most of the Arab nations in support of an amendment to the resolution which would have deleted an American proposal that the Soviet Union attend the peace conference “provided the other side desires it.” The amendment was defeated.
Finally, the Israel delegation abstained on a vote to invite India to participate in the peace conference. This resolution, offered by Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, passed by a vote of 27 to 21, with eleven abstentions. It may require a two-thirds vote to get through the General Assembly.
Explaining Israel’s abstention, Arthur Lourie, head of the delegation in the absence of Ambassador Abba S. Eban, said that his delegation was unable to vote for Indian participation because it could not see the usefulness of India’s participation at this stage in the face of opposition by South Korea. At a later stage in the negotiations, when its scope might be broadened to deal with the entire Far East, he said, India’s participation would be essential. He termed “unfortunate” a violent attack on India several days ago by Y. T. Puin, South Korean Foreign Minister.
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