683.84A322/11–2753: Telegram
No. 743
The Secretary of
State to the United States
Mission at the United Nations1
priority
261. For Lodge from Secretary. Following is revised text Banat Ya’qub Resolution for discussion with French and British. I prefer this version to British draft (Usun 275).2 Provision for abolition of demilitarized zones has been dropped and I have added section pointing way towards solution problem in order to give resolution necessary positive character. Clause at end of paragraph 3 reading “in the zone so long as an agreement is not arranged” dropped because essential requirement is that parties satisfy Chairman of MAC not that they reach agreement between themselves.
[Page 1443]“The Security Council,
Recalling its previous resolutions on the Palestine question, particularly those of 15 July 1948, 11 August 1949, and 18 May 1951 concerning methods for maintaining the armistice and resolving disputes through the Mixed Armistice Commission;
Taking into consideration the statements of the representatives of Syria and Israel and the reports of the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization on the Syrian complaint (S/—):
Notes that the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization requested the Government of Israel on 23 September 1953 to ensure that the authority which started work in the Demilitarized Zone on 2 September 1953 was instructed to cease working.
Recalls its resolution of October 27, 1953 taking note of the statement by the representative of the Government of Israel that the work started by Israel in the Demilitarized Zone would be suspended pending urgent examination of the question by the Council and further recalls that the representative of Israel said that it was the policy of the Government of Israel to cooperate with the Council’s efforts to reach a solution.
Notes that Article 5 of the General Armistice Agreement between Syria and Israel gives to the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization, as Chairman of the Syrian-Israeli Mixed Armistice Commission, responsibility for the general supervision of the Demilitarized Zone;
Calls upon the parties to comply with his decisions and requests, past and future, in the exercise of his authority under the Armistice Agreement;
Requests and authorizes the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization to explore possibilities of reconciling the rights and interests involved in this dispute and to take such steps as he may deem appropriate to effect a reconciliation.
Reminds the parties that under Article 7, paragraph 8 of the Armistice Agreement where the interpretation of the meaning of a particular provision of the agreement other than the preamble and Articles 1 and 2 is at issue, the Mixed Armistice Commission’s interpretation shall prevail;
Directs the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization to report to the Security Council within 90 days on the effect given to this resolution.
Requests the Secretary General to make available to the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization such expert assistance as he may request including water experts if desired.”
Last section intended to meet French desire for water experts (Deptel 239).3 Proposed French wording reported today by USUN appears to be most undesirable in that not only does it reflect on Bennike’s capacity and judgment on matter but also may open up for discussion at Bennike’s level the entire question of Jordan Valley Unified Development Plan.
[Page 1444]Hope early accord can be reached with French and British on Resolution as both sides making attempt consult here in Washington on text. Believe this best done in New York and urge that schedule be so arranged to leave ample opportunity for full discussions both sides.