“Israeli-Arab Stalemate May Last Long Time”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31329, 28 March 1967, Page 19

“Israeli-Arab Stalemate May Last Long Time”

A military stalemate which could last for a long time had been reached between Israel

and its Arab neighbours, the Israeli United Nations permanent representative, Mr M. S. Comay, said in Christchurch. Israel had found herself obliged to spend f great deal on defence and now had a superbly trained defence force, which caused Arab countries to shrink from skirmishing with her, he said. Small-scale sneak raids over the borders under the cover of darkness were continuing, but there were fewer than last year. Israel attempted to have these stopped on the Arab side of the border, but if they were not a warning raid was arranged. These Israel raids were often misunderstood abroad said Mr Comay. The main tension in the Middle East was not in IsraelArab relations, but among the Arabs, he said. The bitter rivalry and power struggles within the Arab nations also helped to make a concerted attack on Israel less likely. “A kind of status quo has emerged in the Middle East in which the independence of each national Arab and nonArab state must be strengthened. “One must not take a gloomy prospect of peace, al-

t though it is a troubled area,” I said Mr Comay. I He had always found New

Zealand taking an independ- i ent, forthright and courageous stand on difficult in- i ternational problems, said Mr i Comay. He had an admiration for New Zealand’s position at the United Nations where her voice was heard with attention beyond what could be expected from a country of her size and population. New Zealand showed that there was a role in the United Nations for small countries. One of this country’s major contributions to debates in the Security Council and General Assembly had been its emphasis on the dangers of undeclared guerrilla warfare and so-called wars of liberation. New Zealand emphasised the need to recognise these as wars of aggression, and had done more to point this out than any other member of the United Nations. A great deal of a country’s standing within the United Nations depended on the calibre of its representatives, and New Zealand had been well served in this sphere, said Mr Comay. Mr Comay wiU complete his work at the United Nations soon to take up th* position of political adviser to the Israel Foreign Minister. |