Eban Asks Dulles to Bring Israel-jordan Crisis to United Nations

The Israel Government today formally requested the United States to join with Britain and France to secure immediate consideration by the United Nations Security Council of the present crisis in Israel-Jordan relations.

The request was delivered to Secretary of State John Foster Dulles by Ambassador Abba S. Eban, at a meeting at the State Department which Mr. Eban had requested as matter of urgency. The Israeli diplomat informed the American official that intensified Arab hostility towards Israel had reached the point where it is “impossible to interpret current Arab policy except as a preparation for new assaults upon Israel’s independence.”

In asking for urgent consideration by the Security Council, Mr. Eban stressed not only the Arab attack on an Israel bus in the Scorpion Pass last week, which cost 11 lives, but also Jordan’s flat refusal to comply with a United Nations bid to a meeting with Israel at Jerusalem under invocation of Article XII of the armistice.

Mr. Eban also presented to Mr. Dulles a note protesting against supply of American arms to Iraq or other Arab States.

(At the United Nations tonight, Mr. Eban, in a statement, declared that Jordan’s rejection of the meeting bid was “a clear and flagrant violation of the Israel-Jordan armistice agreement of an exceptionally grave nature.” He added that the Israel Government “will determine its future course of action in the light of this development.”)

SECRETARY PROMISES TO CONSULT WITH BRITAIN, FRANCE

After the Dulles-Eban meeting, the State Department announced that the Secretary of State had informed the Israel envoy that the United States would exchange views with the British and French Governments.

The Secretary of State called on both Israel and Jordan to adhere faithfully to their obligations under the armistice agreement. He urged Israel to cooperate with the Israel-Jordan Mixed Armistice Commission, expressed the hope that both Israel and Jordan would cooperate with the commission in investigating all the facts in connection with the Scorpion Pass massacre and expressed the hope also that Jordan would live up to its obligations under Article XII of the armistice agreement.

Mr. Dulles, the State Department announced, reiterated his deep regret at the loss of life in the attack on the bus but pointed out that the Mixed Armistice Commission had not been able to identify the criminals involved. The Secretary emphasized the necessity for forbearance on the part of all parties involved and the avoidance of any statements or acts which might further disturb the general situation.

Mr. Dulles said the United States fully supported the U.N. truce supervision organization and believed both parties should cooperate with the Mixed Armistice Commission. In particular, the announcement said, Mr. Dulles expressed the hope that Israel would cooperate with the commission in further efforts to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of the ambush.

Mr. Eban revealed later that while he could not quote Mr. Dulles directly, he had found the Secretary of State “deeply disturbed by the situation in the area.” He said Mr. Dulles had expressed grief and shock over the Scorpion Pass massacre and had promised to give “careful consideration to specific proposals. “

EBAN PROPOSES PROGRAM FOR RESTORING “PARTIAL STABILITY”

The Israeli diplomat also disclosed that he had suggested to Mr. Dulles a “minimal program” for restoring “a semblance of partial stability in the Middle East.” Points in this program include:

1. Avoid supply of arms to Arab States in their present “mood of frenzied hostility” to their neighbor.

2. Strong condemnation of the Scorpion Pass massacre, particularly since the Mixed Armistice Commission, “taking refuge in technicalities, has proved ineffective by passing over this outrage in silence and indecision. “

3. Review by the Security Council of the Israel-Jordan armistice in the light of the recent outrage and Jordan’s flat refusal to honor its obligations under Article XII.

4. Reaffirmation of international policy on free navigation through the Suez Canal coupled with sustained action by the powers to end Egypt’s blockade policy at the Canal and in the Gulf of Akaba.

5. Expression of the United States view on the extent to which hostile acts, defiance of the United Nations and refusal to honor obligations are consistent with the U.N. Charter and the intent of the armistice agreements.

6. Recognition that the three-power declaration of May, 1950 is inadequate since it refers only to territorial expansion and is silent on every other form of hostility, aggression, violence and siege.