Israeli policies draw U.N. fire

Press, 30 November 1978, Page 8

Israeli policies draw U.N. fire

I 'PA-Reuter New York A United Nations General Assembly committee has approved three resolutions condemning Israeli practices and policies in the occupied Arab territories. The resolutions were approved by the special political committee. Because the committee is made up of all the members of the United Nations, the three resolutions are certain to be approved later when submitted to the full General Assembly. The United States voted against only one of them and Israel voted against all three. The first resolution called on Israel to acknowledge and comply with provisions of the 1949 Geneva convention on the protection of civilians in time of war. The second called on Israel “to desist forthwith from taking any legal action which would result in changing the legal status, geographical nature or demographic composition of the Arab territories cocupied since 1967, including Jerusalem.” The third resolution condemned a series of Israeli practices such as the annexation of parts of the occupied territories, establishment of new settlements expansion of existing settlements and

the “evacuation, deportation, expulsion, displacement and transfer of Arab inhabitants of the occupied territories and the denial of their right to return.’’ It was the third resolution which produced the only American “no” vote.

Egypt is expected this week to tell President Jimmy Carter of its readiness to accept an American proposal on Palestinian selfrule and to stress the need to amend the draft treaty with Israel to conform with Egypt’s Arab obligations. The Egyptian Prime Minister (Dr Mustapha Khalil) is due to leave for Washington today to inform Mr Carter of Egypt’s desire to resume the Washington peace talks with Israel and of the latest Egyptian ideas on the peace process.

Two Cairo newspapers, "Al-Ahram” and “Al-Gom-houria,” both said that Egypt wanted to introduce some amendments to the clauses of the draft treaty, especially to reaffirm Egypt’s defence commitment to the Arab world. “Al-Gomhouria” said in an editorial that “Egypt is insisting on upholding its Arab commitments and taking the risk of allowing this chance for peace to slip away if it (the treaty) runs contrary to its pan-Arab duty.”