ECONOMIC PRESSURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26916, 30 October 1948, Page 7

ECONOMIC PRESSURE

FORCING CEASE-FIRE IN PALESTINE

SUGGESTION TO COUNCIL N.Z.P.A—Copyright PARIS, Oct. 28.

Britain and China suggested to the Security Council, which is considering the Egyptian complaint of alleged Jewish truce violations, that it should consider the use of economic pressure to stop the Palestine fighting. Britain and China, in a joint resolution, suggested the appointment of a committee consisting of the Big Five, with Belgium and Colombia, to report urgently on what measures should be taken under Article 41 of the Charter if the order to cease fire was not! complied with.

Article 41 provides that the Security Council, to give effect to its decisions, may employ such measures as the complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations. Israeli Negotiation Offer

The Israeli Government has offered to meet the Egyptian Government either directly or through the Palestine mediator at any time to negotiate on all differences. This was officially announced in Tel-Aviv to-day, Reuter’s Tel-Aviv correspondent reports that Egyptian troops have evacuated Isdud, midway between TelAviv and Gaza, and retreated southwards to Majdal on the Southern Palestine coastal road.

According to an Israeli military spokesman local Arab leaders in Isdud had approached the Israeli lines with white flags, and asked the Israelis to enter and look aftet them. Israeli troops had now reached Hamama, two miles north of Majdal, without opposition. *

The Associated Press correspondent says that the Egyptians are hemmed in tightly in a 10-mile long strip of sand dune coast between Hamama and Hunun. where.an Israeli wedge has cut off the way to Gaza, five miles further south.

The resolution also provides that the acting mediator should fix a time limit within which both Jews and Arabs should comply with his order to withdraw to their positions before the breakdown of the truce.

Strong Front Required

Sir Alexander Cadogan (Britain), presenting the resolution, asked if the Jews were left in possession of the positions they had taken in the Negev, how could the Security Council ever expect to enforce its decision? A display of weakness would create a grave feeling of instability in Palestine, and quickly lead to a resumption of hostilities.

After Dr Tsiang (China) had supported the resolution, the Israeli delegate, Mr Aubrey Eban, condemned it, but declared that Israel was prepared to start negotiations for a peace settlement.

“ The transition from _ a tenuous truce to a state of peace is an urgent necessity,” he said. “We believe peace negotiations will have a profundly salutary effect.” Riad es Solh (Lebanon) said he agreed with the Anglo-Chinese resolution. Referring to Mr Eban’s offer of negotiations, he said: “We have heard Mr Eban say that the Negev has become an integral part of Israel. To say this is to admit the right of conquest or of force. What is done by force can be undone by force. If the United Nations does not give us satisfaction we shall be entitled to re-examine the whole situation.” Canada, Belgium, and France supported the resolution, but Russia s delegate, Mr Jacob Malik, opposed it as being premature, and asked for a postponement of the vote on it. He thought the acting mediator, Dr Ralph Bunche, should continue along the present lines. ... The Council adjourned until tomorrow.