Israel Accuses Arabs Of “Act Of War”

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28765, 10 December 1958, Page 17

Israel Accuses Arabs Of “Act Of War”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 8. Israel today accused the United Arab Republic of an “act of war” in bombing Israeli villages in the Lake Huleh area last week. It threatened retaliation unless the United Nations deals with the problem effectively.

The United Arab Republic retorted that the charge was propaganda aimed at “distorting the truth and agitating world public opinion.” The Israeli delegate, Mr Abba Eban, and the United Arab Republic representative, Mr Omar Loutfi, clashed at the opening session of a Security Council meeting requested by Israel to consider alleged aggression by the United Arab Republic.

After hearing the two speakers, the council adjourned indefinitely. The Council President, Dr: Gunnar Jarrjng (Sweden).. said he would announce the next meeting after consulting the parties concerned.

Simultaneously, the SecretaryGeneral, Mr Hammarskjold. submitted a report from MajorGeneral Carl Carlsson von Horn, Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation in Palestine. The report was vague on which side began last week’s clash. However. General von Horn, a Swede, noted that he had been unable for several months to get Syria and Israel to reach agreement on the extent of civilian activities—involving public works and grazing—to be permitted by each side in the eastern Lake Huleh area of the "demilitarised” zone.

He said tpe two sides could not agree on the exact definition of the border and indicated that this had resulted in constant ferment and tension in the area. Mr Eban said the situation was serious enough for immediate consideration by the Security Council.

‘"The position is that a member State of the United Nations has deliberately fired 800 artillery shells upon seven villages lying within the territory of another member State with the deliberate ifitention of destroying life and property,” he said. "Never has such a thing happened without serious reaction and grave repercussions.” Mr Loutfi said that Mr Eban was threatening reprisals. “The Arab Republic does not fear reprisals and we are prepared to repulse any aggression;” he said.

He said that Israel had brought its case to the council for “propaganda purposes” and to give last week’s border incident an importance which it did not have. He denied that Syrian forces had started the clash and that Cairo Radio had made inciting and gloating broadcasts in Herbrew after the (Slash as Mr Eban had charged. Tenor’s High Note Useless LONDON, December 8. A man serving behind the counter in a London chemist’s shop, Mr Louis Lavelle, a 35-year-old Irishman, can sing the world’s highest tenor note—an almost Incredible E in altissimo, says the'“Daily Mirror.” This is “a real ear piercer,” four notes above top C. “I just haven’t been able to make a living out of singing," said Mr Lavelle. “I’ve tried, but the agents don’t seem to be interested and in any case I. can’t sing that in any song—no-one has written a song with my note in it"