ARMISTICE ORDER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 32, 17 November 1948, Page 5

ARMISTICE ORDER

SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION Fighting in Palestine (N.Z.P A.— OoDyrighti (Rec. 11.10 a.m.) PARIS, Nov. 16. The Security Council has ordered the Arabs and Jews to reach an armistice throughout Palestine, and to begin immediate negotiations for permanent peace.

The council adopted a resolution by Canada, Belgium and France calling upon the parties to negotiate either directly or through the acting-Media-tor.

The Security Council order included the delineation of permanent armistice demarcation lines, beyond which the armed forces of the respective parties shall not move.

The resolution also provides for such withdrawal and a reduction of armed Arab and Jewish forces as will ensure the maintenance of the armistice during the transition period. The order said the armistice would “facilitate transition from the present truce to permanent peace.” Syria opposed the resolution, and the council rejected the Syrian attempt to widen its previous Negev withdrawal order to the Galilee front in Northern Palestine. The United States, Belgium, Colombia, Britain, Argentina, France, Canada and China supported the resolution’s original text after the Syrian amendment failed. The council previously rejected a Russian proposal calling for the immediate establishment of formal peace.

When the Security Council Political Committee resumed its discussion on the Palestine situation, Aubrey Ebau (Israeli) said the Jews had made seven approaches to the Arabs in an effort to negotiate. “At all times and in all circumstances we sought peace and always received, until recently, impolite rejection. The Arabs answered with open war.” Will Fight Partition l The - Arab Higher Committee representatives, Ahmoud Shukheri, said the Arabs would fight the partition of Palestine in any form. Any suggestion for a solution on the basis of partition could only kindle fire. “Palestine was once a land of milk and honey, and now it is a land covered with * blood and fear.” He estimated that there were 800,000 Palestinian Arab refugees. Mahmoud Fawzi (Egypt) rejected direct negotiation with Israel. “If there are any negotiations they will be with United Nations’ representatives.” Emir Adel Arslan (Syria) also rejected direct negotiations, saying: “Israeli’s Palestine victories do not mean that they will win all the rounds which follow.’’ It was absurd to say that Britain had armed the Arabs, but rather should it be said that she equipped Haganah. He added that the British and United States Governments frequently refused Syrian requests for tanks and small-arms to defend the frontiers. The Political Committee adjourned until to-morrow. '