Israel today walked out of a marathon meeting of the Jordan-Israel Mixed Armistice Commission. For 48 hours, almost-continuously, the commission had been debating Israeli complaints and Jordanian counter-grievances related to Israel’s scheduling of a military parade here tomorrow, as part of the government’s celebration of the state’s 13th anniversary.
Explaining its walk-out, at 5 a. m. today, after an all-night session, Israel blamed the other Commission members which include, besides Israel and Jordan, the United Nations chairman of the group, Lieut. Col. O.H. Burn, of New Zealand. “Israel was compelled to take this drastic step,” the Israelis explained, “because of the non-cooperative attitude adopted throughout the meeting by other Commission members.”
Israel had presented to the MAC a series of resolutions, calling upon both Jordan and Israel to comply fully with the provisions of the armistice agreement signed by both countries in 1949. On each of Israel’s resolutions, Jordan voted “no” as expected. But Colonel Burn abstained on all the votes, thus stimying Israel’s demands.
Israel’s last resolution proposed to the Commission, the Israel delegates stated, would have called upon both Jordan and Israel to live up to the armistice agreements as ordered by a new United Nations Security Council resolution adopted only a week ago. Jordan insisted that the only issue to be decided was that same Council decision which, in effect, for-bade Israel to parade heavy military equipment through the streets of Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, Jordan has entered today a new complaint against Israel. The Jordanians told the MAC that, on April 12 and 14, Israel brought into Jerusalem–preparatory to the scheduled April 20 parade–troops, heavy military equipment, armored vehicles and artillery. In Israel’s absence, this latest complaint was being discussed by the Commission. Jordanians were certain that, with Israel absent, the MAC would vote a resolution condemning Israel for bringing heavy military equipment into Jerusalem, allegedly in violation of the armistice terms.
Israel announced last week that, to make sure that its military parade does not constitute a provocation, the route of the parade has been changed so that the military units and equipment will not be close to the Jordanian border dividing the New City from Old Jerusalem.
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