ARMISTICE FOR PALESTINE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25741, 1 March 1949, Page 5

ARMISTICE FOR PALESTINE

NEGOTIATIONS TO BE OPENED TODAY

ISRAEL, TRANSJORDAN, AND LEBANON

(Rec. 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 28. . An Israeli military spokesman said in Tel Aviv that armistice talks would begin simultaneously to-mor-row at Rhodes and at Ras el Nakura, on' the northern Palestine border. The negotiations at Rhodes will be with Transjordan and those at Ras el Nakura with the Lebanese. Both will be carried out under the supervision of Dr. Ralph Bunche, the acting United Nations mediator for Palestine.

The “Daily Telegraph” prophesies hard bargaining between Transjordan and Israel over the eastern Negeb. Transjordan, whose forces have not suffered defeat, will be able to take a firmer line than Egypt and will speak also for Iraq,” it says “If the spokesmen on both sides think realistically there seems no reason w “y a basis for an armistice should not be found providing thelbreathinfi space which is needed in Tel Aviv as well as in the Arab capitals. The terrible plight of the Arab refugees can be dealt with only if some sort of provisional stability is restored.” The Egyptian brigade which has been trapped in the Faluja pocket for three months began its evacuation on Saturday a s agreed in the IsraelEgyptian armistice. The first day of the three-day evacuation passed off smoothly. The Egyptian troops left for Gaza, which is the first stage of their .journey home. A . United Nations spokesman said tnat there had been outstanding cooperation from both Jews and Arabs.