U.S. & RUSSIA ‘PLAYING DANGEROUS GAME,’ SAYS KING ABDULLAH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22657, 7 June 1948, Page 5

U.S. & RUSSIA ‘PLAYING DANGEROUS GAME,’ SAYS KING ABDULLAH

HOLY LAND TRUCE TALKS

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright.)

(11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 6. “This war can spread like wildfire until everybody is involved. America and Russia are both playing a dangerous game for their own reasons,” said King Abdullah after he met the United Nations mediator, Count Bernadotte, at Amman today.

“This has become a. problem affecting not only Palestine but Asia and Africa,” he added.

Discussions With Leaders

Count Bernadotte,- who is discussing truce proposals with the opposing sides, had earlier talks in Beirut with the Lebanese Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Syrian Prime Minister and Iraqi Foreign Minister. Me then Hew to Maiia for a discussion with Mr. Moshe Shertok, Israel’s Foreign Minister, before proceeding to Amman.

After meeting Count Bernadotte, Mr. Shertok indicated that Count Bernadotte would soon give the Arabs and Jews his proposols for the Palestine truce.

Mr. Shertok added that he felt that Count Bernadottes proposals, if thought unacceptable, would not be considered as final and that the Jews would have the right to appeal to the United Nations.

The British United Press correspondent at Amman says that an unconfirmed but reliable report says that the cease-fire will be ordered for noon, G.M.T., on Monday. Meanwhile fighting continues throughout Palestine. Count Bernadotte nas notmed the Security Council that the question oi Jewish emigration into Palestine for the duration of the truce is alone obstructing an agreement between the Jews and Arabs on the effective date of the truce. Count Bernadotte stated that a diffi culty had arisen concerning the interpretation of the phrases “fighting per sonnal”” and “men of military age’’ in the Security Council's resolution on May 29. He asked if it meant that men of military age may be brought into the Jewish area of Palestine during the period of the truce provided they are not mobilised or submitted to training or whether the resolution seeks the exclusion of all men of military age. Count Bernadotte was informed that the council's attitude was that he has authority to make an interpretation and need refer to the council only 4 if his interpretations are challenged.