501.BB Palestine/1–1949: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
70. Following is text of agreement between Israeli and Lebanese officers signed at Ras-en-Naqura 14 January, in pursuance SC Resolution November 16, as obtained from UN SYG today:
“We, the undersigned, being duly accredited military observers of the Israeli and Lebanese Armies, on this day do hereby agree to the following:
- 1.
-
The Israeli authorities will evacuate their troops and relinquish control over the following villages: Deir, Siriane, Aalmne, El Qoussacr, Qantara and Yardun. This evacuation will be completed not later than 0800 hours local time Sunday, January 16, 1949.
This evacuation is to be considered as a good-will gesture and a prelude to further discussion on the matters contained in the Resolutions of the SC of 16 November 1948.
- 2.
- It is agreed that discussions involving the requirements of the November 16, 1948 Resolution of the SC will be entered into by both parties not later than Wednesday, 19 January 1949.
- 3.
- It is agreed that during the present armistice talks no military act of aggression, in the form of air operations, ground operations, patrols, firing of weapons, or destructive missiles of any sort shall be directed across the frontier by either side against the personnel or equipment of the opposing force, or against the inhabitants, including public or personal property.
- 4.
- It is further agreed that movements of civilians, particularly refugees, shall not occur from one side to the other.
- 5.
- This agreement is drawn up in the presence of the UN Military Observers whose signatures appear below.”