S/PV.1312 Security Council

In accordance withthe decisions taken previously, 1 shall now, with the consent of the Council, invite the representatives of Israel, the Syrian Arab Republic and the United Arab Republic to take their seats at the Council table in order to participate without vote in the discussion. M. G. J. Tomeh (Syrie) blique arabe unie) prennent place à la table du Conseil. At the invitation of the President, Mr. M. Comay (Israel), Mr. G. J. Tomeh (Syria) and Mr. M. A. El Kony (United Arab Republic) took places at the Council table.

The Council will now resume its discussion of the question before us, but before 1 cal1 on the first speaker inscribed on the list for this afternoon, the representative of Japan, 1 wish to make a suggestion to the Council as to how we might proceed. 2. Le PRESIDENT va maintenant à l’ordre au premier c’est-a-dire faire nous pourrions possibilit8 cet apr&s-midi, premier, [1310ème la s8ance 3. The representative of Japan has asked to have the opportunity of speaking to us this afternoon, and 1 would propose that we shoulcl first listen to him. A proposa1 was made in the course of the morning’s discussion [ 1310th meeting] that there should be a break to allow consultations to proceed, and, in accordance 4. 1 cal1 first on the representative of Jordan, who, 1 assume, wishes to speak on a point of order.

1 merely wishtoremind you, Mr. President, that this morning 1 requestedthat two important documents be presented to the Council. They are directly connected with the question which we are considering and are intended to clarifycertain points of a controversial nature. We heard the claim that X was co-operating with the Mixed Armistice Commission, and we heard the counter-claim that Y was also co-operating. Therefore, in order to have a clear picture which Will help us in our consultations, 1 think that reports should be submitted to the Council by the organ in the area. 6. In the second place, a great deal has been said about the demilitarized zone in the region. 1 think that it would help the Council if it had a report on the status of the demilitarized zone. 7. These two documents are essential, basic andimportant, and I think that it would be helpful if the Council could have them as soon as possible, This being the case, an hour’s consultation, before having the complete picture and the documents from themachinery in the area, might not serve any fruitful purpùse. 8. 1 just wish to bring this matter to your attention, Mr. President. 1 leave it to you and the Council to take any step, under your guidance, which the Council may deem appropriate.

Certainly we have taken note of the suggestion which the representative of Jordanwas good enough to put forward this morning. 1 think that it is important that he should present his suggestion in exact and forma1 terms, since we must be quite sure that we are fully aware of the precise form in which he wishes to submit his request. 1 would then consult the Council, and if it was the wish of the Council, action would be taken accordingly. 10. 1 had neither proposed nor anticipated that we should necessarily complete our discussion this evening, but 1 did think that itwas necessary to push ahead with it and to make what progress we could. Therefore, I would suggest to the representative of Jordan that if he would be good enough to formulate his request clearly, there would be no doubt about it, and when the Council resumed its discussion it could decide whether to act upon his request. Would that be in accordance with his wishes?

1 made my request very clear this morning. In order to facilitate your

1 thnnk the representative of Jordan for his helpful action. AS soon as we have heard the representative of Japan, we shall deal with the request of the representative of Jordan. 12. Le PRESIDENT le représentant Des que nous aurons entendu le reprgsentant nous reviendrons la Jordanie, 13, Mr. MATSUI (Japan): In my statement on 17 October [1308th meeting], 1 indicated my delegationls grave concern with regard to the renewed occurrence of alarming incidents in the border area between Israel and Syria and the deterioration of the situation in that area in recent months. 1 said that we considered it essential for the Council to exert every possible effort to find ways and meana of reversing that very dangerous trend. 13. M. MATSUI declaration quais les graves la rep$tition tiere situation dans cette zone au cours des derniers J’ai dit que nous estimions fasse moyen de renverser 14, We have been discussing a series of complaints lodged by the Government of Israel concerning a recent succession of serious incidents in that area. We deplore those incidents, which never should have occurred, because nothing but harm cari corne out of thein, But at the same time, if welook at the situation in the area as a whole and over a long period of time, ncither of the Governments concerned cari wash its hands of responsibility for acts of terrorism, retaliation or other actions constituting violation of the Armistice Rgreement. 14. Nous po&es suite récente de graves incidents région. jamais dQ se produire, que du mal. Mais, la situation longue période, l’autre clamer ou autres, tion d’armistice. 15. For example, the report of the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization [S/7561/Rev.l], which was distributed on 23 October, clearly shows that both Governments violate the Armistice Agreement by keeping military personnel, weapons, vehicles, equipment and munitions in the demilitarized zone. 15. C’est de l’organisme veillance 23 octobre, nements violent la Convention d’armistice nant dans la zone dGmilitari&e des armes, munitions, 16. Avant d’aller SecrBtaire de ma d818gation pour la promptitude ce rapport cieuse exemple du genre d’enqu&e la conduite efficace des travaux du Conseil. 16, At this point my delegation wishes ta express its appreciation to the Secretary-General and to General Odd Bull for the promptness with which this report was supplied and the thoroughness with which it was prepared. It is a good example of the kind of impartial fact-finding that is essential to the effective eonduct of our work in the Council. 17. Revenant n’ai pas l’intention sur le pas&; dégager des solutions nir d’une paix durable dans cette région. ma d81Bgation constate commun le Royaume-Uni des BlBments insiste l’avenir en outre ressortir tions internationales la paix, a savoir mettre pour des pctions hostiles 17, Returning to the subject under ourconsideration, J do not wish at this point to dwell too much on the PaSt; we should rather exert every possible effort by aiming at possible solutions in the future and lasting peace in the area. In view of this consideration, my delegation finds, in the joint draft resolution of 27 October submitted by the United Kingdom and the United Statcs [S/7568] now before us, constructive elements, The draft resolution emphasizes the necessi&’ for making peaceful efforts for the future without making unnecessary references to the past. It also emphasizes that cardinal principle in international relations which is essential to the maintenance of Peace, namely, that the territory of one cour@ must net be used, nor permitted to be used, as a base for hostile action against another country. 19. However, my delegation also finds in the draft resolution some other elements which could be improved. 20. A few moments ago I said, in effect, that as we look at the situation in the area as a whole and over a long period of time, neither of the Governments concerned cari escape its share of responsibility for the tensions that exist between them. Perhaps 1 might add at this point that those tensions have, most unfortunately, persisted for altogether too long a time now, despite the obligation of the parties under the Armistice Agreement and the United Nations Charter. 21. 1 am fully aware that, in a technical sense, we are now dealing with a limited subject, namely, the complaint contained in the letter of 12 October from the representative of Israel [S/‘7540], but we a11 know perfectly well that this particular complaint and the incidents which 1 have already deplored are an episode in a long series of tragic events repeated again and again for nearly twenty years. 22. In considering the specific complaint before us, 1 find it difficult to isolate these incidents from the broader and more complex situations to which 1 have alluded. 1 recall that when the Council was considering the Syrian complaint against Israel last summer with regard to the attack on Syrian territory by the Israel Air Force on 14 July, an action which1 also deplored, 1 explained to the Council on 3 August [1295th meeting] the reason why my delegation would have abstained on the then pending draft resolution if it were put to the vote. One of the principal reasons I gave was that the draft resolution before the Counoil at that time did not seem-and I am quotingfrom my own remarks- “to take sufficiently into account the related aspects of the situation”. 1 think that much the same comment might apply in certain respects to the draft resolution now before us, 23. The representative of Mali, together with the representatives of Nigeria, Uganda and France, spoke this morning in support of the idea of a consensus that could be reached in this Council on this problem. 1 should like to support this propositionandwould like to express the wishes that, given time, we shall be able to formulate a text that could be acceptable to the Council. In any event, 1 hope that during the course of the consultations the preceding comments that I have now expressed Will be taken into account.

1 have now been able to check from the record, which the representative of Jordan was good enough to provide, the exact terms of the request which he put to us this morning. The request cornes under two heads: the first is the question of the status of the demilitarized zone on which he had two specific questions to ask; the second is the question of co-operation with the Mixed Armistice Commissions, 27. We have before us a report on the status of the demilitarized zone [S/7561/Rev.l] which was just adverted to by the representative of Japan in terms with which 1 entirely concur. 28. With respect to co-operation with the Mixed Armistice Commissions, 1 do not have the precise reports before me, but it is my recollection that when we bave dealt with this problem, we have had a nurnber of reports from the Secretary-General to the Security Council or the General Assembly dealingwith the status of the operations of the Mixed Armistice Commissions, 29, I think that we ought to be mindful that the original complaint by the Government of Israel WBS filed on 12 October. It is now 28 October. I certainly do not disagree at all, Mr. President, with your proposalfor consultations as you have outlined them or with any procedure the Council might want to follow consequent upon the consultations. But 1 do believe that for the effective functioning of the Council, having had this matter before us for this period of time, we ought to proceed with our consideration on the basis of the facts available to us, 39, The PRESIDENT: 1 might say that it was not my understanding that it was the wish of the representative of Jordan that our consideration and consultations should be held up pending receipt of the reports. He wanted his request to be put to the Secretary-General, but 1 did not understand him to suggest that we should not proceed with the consultations we have in mind.

1 really did not expect this question to give rise to any controversy. Cn 20 Cetober, at the 1309th meeting, the President of the Securib’ CounciI requested the Secretary-General to circulate a report on certain aspects of the demilitarized zone. 1 should like to know why, when a request for a’ clearer picture of some aspects of the same question is made, this should be a subject for canslderation. This is a very legitimate request made bY a member of the Council in order to give the Council a Clearer picture. We cari follow the same precedent. Votes, discussions, deliberations and consideration are net needed. This request was made on 20 October. That is my first point. 33. As to the question raised by you, Mr. President, 1 am not saying that we should not consult. Of course, we cari consult. We do not want to delay any consultation, but let us not rush into taking stands and attitudes before we have a11 the facts of the case, before we have documentary evidence from the organ created for this purpose. We cannot be a fact-findingcommittee here when there is an organ on the spot for that very purpose. 1 did not raise the controversy. It was raised by Mr. Comay when he claimed that he was co-operating. 1 want the organ concerned itself to tel1 us what is going on there.

T just wish to say that 1 have heard no suggestion from any quarter that the request put by the representative of Jordan should not be acceded to. It was my own wish that we should clear up the question of whether we should push aheadwith our consultation and consideration in the meantime, anc? to that the representative of Jordan has given a very clear answer, for which 1 thank him. There are, however, one or two members of the Council who wish to speak, perhaps on this matter, and 1 Will cal1 on them in the order in which their names are inscribed. 35. Mr. FEDORENKO (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) [translated from Russian]: We have asked for the floor in connexion with the request just made by the representative of Jordan, This is not the first time he has made this request. He has expressed a wish to have a clear and accurate picture of what is happening in the demilitarized zone and of the state of affairs in the Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission, 36. From our point of view, the raising of this question appears to be completely justified. We fully support the legitimate wish of a member of the Security Council to obtain a report on the situation in the demilitarized zone and in the Mixed Armistice Commission. The question arises as to whether we need this report in a general way or whether it is indispensable in connexion with OUI‘ consideration of the question now on the agenda of the Security Council. In our view, we need reports such as those mentioned by Mr. El-Farra not to compile an encyclopaedia or to enrich the already too bulky archives of our Organization, but in order to take intoaccount the truc situation in considering the question on our agenda. We are not concerned here with general and 37. It seems to me, therefore, that we should not raise the question of how we should proceed, whether we should continue the meeting or wait, and SO on. If we seriOU&’ Want to consider this question and take an authoritative decision, then 1 hardly think that we cari achieve that end without receiving this basic documentation. 1 do not think that very much time will be required for this. The Organization must always be following the situation and have the appropriate information at its disposal. The information lacking should be requested immediately and a report submitted. 38. With regard to the statement by Mr, Goldberg, who expressed the opinion that these reports could be submitted later, 1 should like to point out that this would be contrary to the draft resolution which he himself has submitted for our consideration, since operative paragraph 4 states that the Security Council: “Calls upon the Governments of Syria and Israel, in the light of their statements to the Council, to co-operate fully with the United Nations machinery, including the Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission established undex Article VII of the General Armistice Agreement, for the effective implementation of that Agreement, in order to prevent incidents, and for the same purpose to facilitate the work of United Nations Truce Supervision Organizationpersonne1 in their tasks of observation and investigation on both sides of the Armistice Demarcation Line.” IS/7568.] 39. How indeed cari we decide the question in the spirit of operative paragraph 4 of the draft resolution, which appeals simultaneously to Syria and Israel, when the representative of Syria, and not only the representative of Syria, but also the representative 0% Jordan and others, have shown that no question has arisen concerning Syxia’s role and participation. Syria has indicated its complete willingness to cooperate. Syria has repeatedly, here in the SeCUxitY Council, appealed to Israel to show a spixit of COoperation and to participate in the Mixe! Armistice Commission. But thexe has been no response. SO fax, even today when we are considering the question, the situation remains exactly the same. It is not a matter of Syria, but of Isxael. Why then should we put Syxia and Xsrael on the same level? How cari we do that? That does not correspond to the actual state of affairs. But in order to prove this,’ we must have the documents, the reports, 1 consider that these reports Will undoubtedly serve a very definite and useful purpose in our oonsideration of this question.

Mr. President, 1 do not want to prolong this discussion since you have made a statement which 1 believe meets with the approval of the full Council, but 1 do want to say something about my friend, Mr. El-Farra, the representative of Jordan. 1 did not mean, and if 1 said SO 1 immediately retract it, to imply that he was requesting a delay. Mr. El-Farra has been one of the members of the Council who has always been available, as 1 know from my limited experience of the Council, to respond to any cal1 of any of the Presidents of the Council and he always co-operates for theexpeditious transaction of the Council’s business. My remark about delay was directed to the general proposition, and not to the imputation that his request was made for any such purposes. Quite the contrary. 42. When we discuss the substance of the draft resolution 1 shall want to have something to say in reply to what the representative of the Soviet Union, Mr. Fedorenko, said about paragraph 4, because I think there is some misapprehension about that paragraph. But 1 do not think this is the time, and I would reserve my right to do SO at the appropriate time. 43. 1 fully agree with the procedure you have outlined, Mr. President. 44. Mr. KEITA (Mali) [translated from French]: I apologiee for speaking again, but there is one fact which 1 would like to stress. It is a further proof that, despite the considerable competence of the United Nations interpreting staff, which 1 duly recognize, mistakes of translation may sometimes occur in the statements of delegations or individuals. 45. If 1 remember correctly, in my statement at the 1310th meeting, 1 used the word “adjournmentfl when suggesting, on behalf of my African colleagues in the Council, in the desire to be constructive and to allow us to hold broader consultations, that we should adjourn the debate, SO that we could hold consultations with a vew to arriving at a consensus. That, 1 think, is basically what 1 said. 1 wished to make it clear right away, because, if 1 have understood correctly, you said, in your statement, Mr. President, that we would suspend the meeting for one hour. 1 wished merely to stress that in my statement 1 suggested, on behalf of the African Group, not a suspension of the meeting but rather an adjournment. It is true that we do not speak the same language, but in French there is a slight diffesence in meaning.

1 would reply to the representative of Mali that I well understood thesuggestion that he made this morning. 1 do not think he made a je n’ai aucune intention 47. Mr. KEITA (Mali) [translated from French]: 1 would Iike to make it clear that 1 have no intention of questioning your sincere desire, Mr. President, to facilitate the speedy conduct of our debates, and I wish to assure you once again that the suggestion of the African Group was prompted solely by our desire to assist you. If you consider that an hour’s consultations Will enable us to reach some conclusion, the African Group is quite ready to go along with you. 48, Mr. de BEUS (Netherlands): 1 should like just to say this with regard to our timing. 1 think we should remind ourselves of a few plain facts. The first fact is that the complaint was brought before the Council on 10 October. Today is 28 October, SO that means that it was brought here eighteen days ago. 48. Je voudrais du déroulement devrions premier Conseil 28 octobre, 49. The second fact is that we started the discussion of this complaint on 14 October, and that means that it is two weeks since we started this debate. 49. la c’est-a-dire 50. The third fact that we should remember is that not very long ago, in another case, there was strong objection in the Council when we tried to interrupt the discussion of that case for one afternoon, because it was SO pressing, and I agreed with that. But 1 think this case is at least as pressing because the situation is really serious in the Middle East and the reports we are getting from there are ominous. 1 think it is important that we should take a decision as soon as possible, 50. est que, il n’y a pas trés affaire, Conseil que l’affaire tageais. est au moins aussi urgente, vraiment que nous recevons bon. Je pense donc qu’il une décision 51, The fourth point is the request brought forward by the representative of Jordan, who said we should have a11 the facts before us. I firmly agree with him with regard to the question of facts, and even in this particular case, in my first intervention, 1 emphasized that we did not want to speak before we had before us a11 the facts and the reports from the people on the spot. We now have two reports from the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization: the first, dated 17 October [S/7553], about the first complaint and the second, dated 23 October ]S/7561/Rev.l], about inspection of the demilitarized zone. SO the facts about which we have to decide are no longer doubtful or in dispute, We have the reports hfOre us, and what the representative of Jordan would like to have is more documentation on specific aspects. Of course, he is perfectly entitled to have them and 1 think we should agree to his request, but 1 doubt whether it would be wise to defer further any action on this matter. 51. le représentant devrions question lui, et meme, de d8clarer voulions tous sur les lieux. Nous pos&dons du Chef Unies mier, Premiere [S/7561/Rev.l], litarisée. nous avons a prendre ni contest&. dgsirerait compl&ment question, parfaitement nous qu’il à prendre 54. In 1964, Syria submitted a complaint here about regular army attacks. How long did it take? It took more than two months, and it was a clear-tut case. We said “Al1 right, if you want to ascertain the facts, we do not mind waiting. ” It took more than eight weeks, 55. I have no objection. If the Council has a11 the facts, let us proceed, but I cari state that in every single paragraph of the draft resolution there is something lacking, something not based on fact and not based on the reports. For this reason, again 1 say that what 1 am requesting means a great deal to the Council, because 1 know that the Council would like to be fair. 1 should like to judge questions on their merits, not on a draft resolution which does not get its force from the facts of the case, 56. Mr, TARABANOV (Bulgaria) [translated from French]: I have no wish to prolong the discussion, but 1 would like to make a few comments about the procedure which is being followed. From a11 the discussions which have taken place SO far, a11 delegations and representatives seem to agree that we want the Security Council to have a11 thefacts before taking any decision on the question, It would be wrong to take a decision before knowing a11 thefacts whichcan serve to clarify the situation as a whole, because such a decision would be based on a consideration of only some of the faots brought before the Council. We could of course take a decision and try to make it a fair one, but it would not be absolutely fair, because we do not have before us a11 the relevant facts. 57. 1 think that the Council Will agree that it cannot take any effective decision until a11 the facts have been brought to its knowledge. The representative of Jordan has asked that the facts concerning the demilitarized zone, for example, should be put before the Council. 1 am not referring to the report on the demilitarized zone mentioned by the United States representative, because that report deals with only one of the questions raised in connexion with the demilitarized zone, whoreas it should have covered a11 the questions relating to it. 58. We should also have before us the facts concerning the co-operation given by the parties to the Armistice Agreement and the Mixed Armistice Commission, 59, I d0 LlOt, Of COUrSe, think that members of the Council have anY objection to the holding of consultations, because consultations must continue, Rut what if the pUl'pOSe of our holding consultations for one heur? Why nlUSt We meet again here in an heur and takc a decision on the basis of our consultations? Consultations will be Of value only after we nave receivetl the ChrifiCatiOnS which we have asked for and after a11 the facts have been brought before the Se- C~I’@ Council SO that it cari take the necsssary decisions, GO, In these drcumstances, 1 think that an adjournment would be of value. 1 am not making a forma1 motion, but I suggest, Si the representative of Mali has already done, that the discussion should be adjourned and that, in the interim, consultations should continue. If it is necessary for the Council to meet, the President is hera and he can take a decision to that effect. If we decide to adjourn for just one heur, wlmt are we going to discuss? The draft resolution which is before us? No, 1 do notthink that we cari discuss this draft resolution, because we are adjourning in orcler to find another solution, outside of the draft resolution. 61. In these circumstances, 1 think that it would be appropriate for the Council to adjourn and to meet again whcn it considers that some conclusion has been reached which cari be brought before it for consideration. 62, That is the view of the delegation of the People’s Republic of Bulgarin which 1 wished to express to you, wlthout, at this time, making any forma1 motion, but merely in order to clarify the situation and to ask you, Mr. President, to act upon it, SO that the Council cari take the necessary decisions at the right time. 63, Mr. l3ERRO (Uruguay) [ translated from Spanishl: 1 intend to deal with the legality and procedural Propriety of the Jordanian representative’s request for evldence or investigations, 64, Tho first consideration is, of course, whether or not the information requested has any bearing on the agenda item now before the SecuritY Council-in other words, whether there is a relationship of cause and effect between what is requested and what we are discussing. 65, At first sight, there would seem to be no doubt whatsoever that the information requested has arelationship of cause and effect with the item before us* Secondly, assuming this connexion to exist, we must decide whether or not the information requested is essential for arriving at a final decision. This raises subjective considerations ; some members maY regard it as essential while others may not. The benefit Of the doubt must, however, be given to those seeking proof. Pavores amplianda, odio restriugenda-as the 67. It is a principle of procedural law that if the person responsible for dispensing justice, or deciding an issue, has unofficial information that some particular evidence may be helpful, he should take the necessaxy steps to have that evidence produced, even though it has not been requested. Sharing the view expressed by the former member of the United States Supreme Court, with a11 his judicial authority, that a request for evidence cannot be denied, the delegation of Uruguay considers that the evidence should beproduced, and, since it is absolutely necessary for a decision, it believes that the Council cangive a ruling. 68. If it is necessary to suspend the debate until the evidence is produced, then that is the correct course; but if it is not, the Council cari continue the debate until the evidence is produced and cari reach a decision after the evidence has been admitted and examined together with a11 those other factors which have emerged as the debate has progressed. 69. Such is my delegation’s humble opinion,

We have two questions before us. The first is the question raised by the representative of Jordan, who has requested that two matters should be referred to the Secretaxy-General and that we should ask for a report upon them. I have heard no objection to that proposa1 and, therefore, if no objection is raised now, 1 shall ask the Secretary-General to consider the request made by the representative of Jordan and to help us in this matter if he cari.

If it is the desire of the Council to have two reports-one, a factual report on the present inability of the Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission to function and the attitudes of the parties thereto, and the other a factual report on the present status of the demilitarized zones in the Armistice Agreements-1 shall immediately authorize the preparation of those two reports and submit them to the Council as early as possible. 72. 1 have been advised Chat it Will take perhaps a few days for completion of the first report-that is, the report dealing with the factual situation on the

1 ccrtainly do not want a delay of months, or even weeks. 1 want two reports which we cari have very soon, perhaps withina matter of days. I take it from the statement of the Secretary- General that preparing a report covering a11 the demilitarized zones Will take some time. 1 think we cari divide that report into two instalments, A and B. Reporty A could relate directly to the present complaint-I am referring to the demilitarized zone inthe north-and the other report, B, could caver the other demilitarized zones, Jerusalem and the south, While we need report B later, than cari wait. Report A, however, is easy to get, and cari be with us, I hope, within a shorter time. We do not want the history of eighteen years of violations; that may take some time. We want to know the present status of the demilitarized zone which is now being discussed here. 1 do not want the Secretariat to spend time trying to dig up a11 kinds of violations-and there are very many. But let us have a report onthe present status of the demilitarized zone between Syria and the Israel authorities, withthe understanding that report B, on the other zones, Will be forthcoming as soon as possible: 1 Will not fix a titne. 1 hope, by this arrangement, 1 amfacilitating the task of the Secretary-General. Je ne veux certainement Je demande deux rapports trés rapidement, bablement. Selon la déclaration 1’Btablissement mais je pense que nous pourrions en deux parties, trait veux parler tandis d6militari&es, besoin de la partie B que plus tard, cela peut attendre. Mais pas qu’on nous fasse l’historique tous, membres responsabilit&, une plainte précise, juger que telle est notre responsabilité et que nous ne voulons pas voir s’aggraver au Moyen-Orient.

1 think it is important for a11 of us on the Council who are charged with great responsibilities not to forget what brought us here. What brought us here was a specific complaint. And the reason that the COUnCil took jurisdiction of that complaint was the belief of the Council that this was our sesponsibility under the Charter, and our desire that the situation in the Middle East should not deteriorate. 75. remis relatives 75. 1 have had reports today, handed to me just as we were sitting here, which indicate, along with the incident which occurred yesterday, talk about a showdown in the area, 1 think our Council has a responsibility in this matter, and that responsibility is to act with as much expedition as possible in order to alleviate tensions in the area, to prevent showdowns in the matter, and to lend the force, weight and deci- Sion of this Council in the interests of pacifying the situation. Je d’agir les tensions dans la région, d’empêcher de force le poids de sa décision 76, affaire port complet sur tous les aspects de la situation. depuis que je siege au Conseil et cela ne peut l’être 76, It would be highly desirable in every case that came before the Council that there be made a com- Plete record of everything that could possibly bear YOn the situation before the Council. But in my ex- PerienCe before the Council that has net beenthe case and Carmot be the case by the very nature of things. 78. WC have had a statement about the demilitarized zone from the Secretary-General’s representatives which relate to the incidents that are before us. It is a matter of great regret that a11 the problems of long-standing in the area cannot be resolvod. 1 wish that they could be resolved. 1 said that it was ths policy of my Government that there should be peace and stability in the Middle East between a11 the countries in the area and that a11 acts of violence should cesse. 79. I would think it would be very dangerous and not in keeping with ow responsibilities if we did not proceed on the best information available to us-to do what?-to take such action as Will pacify the situation and prevent a showclown in the area. 1 have no objection to further information being made available to the Council for such further action as the Council might want to take into relation to the total situation. But obviously we cannot prevent ourselves from proceeding until we have the Utopian situation of having everything available to us that we should like to have. 80. 1 think, Mr. President, consultations are desirable. 1 think the programme you outlined was an appropriate programme: to see whether or not a meeting of the minds could be asrived at, which is always the best thing in this situation SO as to bring the maximum weight of the Council to bear on the parties in the interests of peace and stability in the area. In ail candeur, 1 do not think we ought to mix up the two questions. We have a record. We have had extensive discussion, Statements have been made. From the record itself we cari understand how the Mixed Armistice Commission is working or not working. From the record itself we know the problems that the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization is having. From the record itself we have illumination about the particular incidents with respect to which we are seized at the present moment, 1 thinkwe would be very derelict in our responsibilities if we did not act, and act in the best way we cari, ta pactfy the situation, to prevent it from deteriorating. 81. Mr. President, 1 am not against consultation. I am not opposed to the suggestion made by the representative of Mali, 1 did not understand your suggestion to mean that we dispose of the problemof what should be done after you conducted your consultation of an 82, You have askedfor something that is very common in the Council: for a delay SO that you cari talk to people to see what the situation is. 1 think we ought to concur in the President’s suggestion. 1 have slso said that 1 do net abject to any request for information. But I tllink the Council is impelled to act onthe information befoxe us in light of the seriousness of the situation in the Middle East, The information available to the Counoil, and the information available to my Government, indicates that the situation is serious. 83, Mr. EL-FARRA (Jordan): Since you, Mr, President, have announced that the Council in its wisdom, under your guidance, had agreed that these two documents should be coming to the Council, and since 1 bave already, in a genuine attempt to facilitate the task of the Council and the Secretnry-General, suggested a new approach to the presentation of the two reports by having report A first, and waiting for the other, 1 feel certain that that facilitates the task of the Secretary-General, and before making any observation on what we have just heard may 1 hear the views of our Secretary-General on this new formula. I shall, with your permission, take the floor after hearing the Secretary-General.

If the Secretary-General has any further statement to make, 1 am sure we Will be glad to hear it. 85, The SECRETARY-GENERAL: The request of the representative of Jordan to break down the second report into two parts cari be complied with. 1 am sure it Will facilitate the submission of th!.s report to the Council.

I am grateful and indced thankful to the Secretary-General for his prompt and constructive answer. Now we have no problems. We cari proceed however the CounciI deems fit with regard to consultation or adjournment, since we are getting the documents within a reasonable time-within a question of days, I take it. 87, Concerning the nshowdowntt which was mentioned, it is not an incident which Will bring the nshowdown’t Or the attack which is going to take place. It is not that, 1 have fxom the very beginning, when we started discussing the prooedural aspect of the question-the inscription of the item-said that Israel celebxates this month its tenth anniversary of the Sinai invasion. 1 waxned the Council that we expect-after a11 this showmanship, after a11 this propaganda exercisethat something Will take place, 88. Tomorrow will be 29 October 1966. On 29 October 1966, Egypt was invaded by the Israel authorities. 1 Will net be surpxised if something takes place tomoxxow. But let us not say that here our waiting for

1 think we must endeavour to deal with one thing at a time. The first question which has been raised is the question of a request put to the Secretary-General for additional information. That request has been conveyed to the Secretary-General, and the Secretary-General has made his reply. Does any other member of the Council wish to speak on that subject?

1 am sorry to betaking the floor again on the very same question, but 1 think the Council has already accepted the idea of having two reports. We asked the Secretary-General whether it was possible. He said the second would take more time. Then 1 asked to have them in two instalments. Now it is possible for them to be before the Council soon. 1 do not think there is anything for the Council to debate on this question-on both items. If we are to reopen a discussion of this question a11 over again, 1 think we shall be revoking a decision already taken. It was presentedto the Council, accepted by the Council and endorsed by the President, and after that we heard the Secretary-General.

That was my understanding of the situation-as it has been repeated by the representative of Jordan. 1 understand that the representative of Israel wishes to speak to us. 1s it on this subject or another? If it is another subject, 1 would ask the representative of Israel to give me an opportunity of calling on him presently, but if it is on the subject of the reports 1 would give him an opportunity of saying what he wishes.

Thisisapointoforder. We are discussing a procedural question. A non-permanent member has no right whatsoever to indulge in discussing or participating in a debate on a procedural matter. This is very clear. Mr. Comay tried once before and again to take part in a procedural discussion. This is for the Council. We have raised the question before, and 1 have saidthatboth parties- I: am not saying one party or the other but both parties-the Syrian Arab Republic and the Israel authoritics, have no right to participate in discussion of a procedural question. We are discussing a question of procedure: whether or not we should have this or that document.

1 should like to commentonthe intervention of the representative of Jordan. This is certainly a matter for the Council to decide, but it seems to me that, since the representative of Jordan has had ample opportunity of expressing his views on this matter-and he has clone SO freely and raised a number of issues in doing so-he would not wish to prevent the representative of Israel from speaking, if he wishes to do SO, on the particular matter of whether 94. IvIr. EL-FARRA (Jordan): If Mr. Comay wishes to speak on the question of the reports, there is nothing to be discussed. If he wishes to speak about the question of whether or not we should have reports, that has been decided by the Security Council. You put the question to the Council, Mr. President. It was decided. Then we asked the Secretary-General about the timing and we had the answer. 1 then suggested a formula to facilitate the work, and it was acceptable, Now may 1 ask whether or not it was procedural? This is a final determination. If we are going to consider questions decided by the Council, we have to reconsider the decision taken by the Council before we give Mr. Comay the floor, It is as simple as that. A decision has been taken. 1s he going to explain his position? He is not a member; he is not voting. Is he going to speak about something that has been decided? He cannot. It is too late. Whether or not it was procedural, it has been decided. 1 hope that, even if you give him the floor, this Will be very clearly understood. We are going to have reports, and on this question we bave a11 agreed.

The representative of Jordan raised his objection to allowing the representative of Israel to speak, on another ground: that we have aIready decided this issue. 1 must begleave to differ with him, 1 had asked whether any member of the Council had anything further to say on this matter and, as no member of the Council wished to comment further on this matter, 1 then inquired whether Mr. Comay, who had expressed his wish to speak, wished to do SO. 96, Mr. l?EDORENKO (Union of Soviet SOCialiSt Republics) [translated from Russian]: We have discussed in sufficient detail the request and proposa1 made by Mr. El-Farra concerning additional information in the form of reports both on the status of the demilitarized zone an? on the state of affairs in the Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission. We have clarified a11 the circumstances and a11 the aspects of this question. What is more, we havetakena decision. The Council has approved a request to the Secretary- General to submit appropriate reports, and we have heard with satisfaction the statement by the Secretary- General on that point. 97. Therefore, we do not understand whatfurther discussion there cari be. What is there to discuss? The question has been decided, the question has been settled, the question is now one of implementation. There is nothing to talk about. In this sense, we fully agree with the position which the representative of Jordan has explained to us repeatedly, as he has been forced to do. 98. If anybody here present-other than the members of the Security Council, of course-or any member of 99. Thesefore, Mr. President, 1 should like to draw your attention to the statement by the representative of Jordan, and to ask you to take it into account and proceed accordingly in the future work of the Council.

1 have listened with great respect to the comments made by the representatives of Jordan and the Soviet Union, It is necessary, in my capacity as President, to reach a conclusion on the matter which has been discussed, and it is my view that the representative of Israel, who has expressed a wish to comment on this matter, should be enabled to do SO and should not be prevented from doing SO. 101. 1 therefore propose, unless there is any further comment, to invite the representative of Israel to speak on this subject. 102. Mr. FEDORENKO (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) [translated from Russian]: 1 take the liberty of stating our views once again, since I am convinced that you have not taken into account what has been said by Mr. El-Farra and myself. 103. In the first place, 1 repeat that adecision on the proposa1 of the representative of Jordan has been taken, that there is nothingfurther to be said on that point and that any staternents here on the subject, especially by those who are not members of the Security Council, are completely unjustified and not dictated by any procedural considerations. 104. Secondly, from the point of view of theprocedure governing the work of the Council, such questions as the submission of reports, the discussion of draft resolutions, and SO on, are exclusively withfnthe competence of members of the Security Council. If you have any doubt as to whether this question does or does not corne under the heading of procedure, then 1 think you are departing from a correct and objective understanding of procedure. Questions of procedure are entirely within the competence of members of the Council. 105. On that ground, Mr. President, we should like to challenge your ruling. We consider it unjustified, since it is contrary to the existing procedure of the Council.

I regret to have to speak again, However , since we are discussing a question of precedent, a question with very dangerous implications, 1 take the liberty of speaking again, because 1 feel that I am defending a position which affects the Council itself. 107. The question is one of procedure. It has never been the practice of the Council to permit non-members to participate in matters of procedure. Sometimes there are fifteen non-members participating in the 108. Unless 1 have notproperly understood the President’s statement, this question was very clearly decided. When no objection was raised, a decision was taken. The question of when to receive the report was raised, and we received an answer. Alter receiving Ehe answer, I wanted to facilitate the task of the Council. I certainly did not want the Council to wait one month or two months. I therefore said that we should forget for the time being about the zones of Jerusalem and the south, and confine it to the north. 1 received a constructive answer from the Secretary- General that we cari have this shortly. 109. That being the case, the whole question was settled. It has been decided, There is no problem of timing. It was a matter of implementation, as my colleague Ms. Fedorenko said. What was before us was the question of implementation, and even that question has been settled by the statement of the Secretary-General. 110. Therefore, 1 do not think that there is any question before the Council now fox Mr. Comay to comment on. Even if the question had not been decided, 1 do not think that he cari speak on procedures. 111. 1 regret having to speak again, but 1 am defending a prinoiple and a precedent which is ver-y important for the Council.

1 think the repxesentative of Jordan has made his position perfectly Clear, but 1 have to exercise my judgement as President of the Council, and I do not consider that the question we were discussing was solely a question of prOCedUre. 1 undorstand, indeed, from the representative of Israel, that he wishes to speak not on a procedural question but on a question of substance. 113. The question of whethex the matter was decided is one, if 1 may respectfully say so, for me to say, and it was not SO decided. I had asked the members of the Council if they had any further comment befoxe a decision was finally taken, and then 1 called on the representative of Israel. 114. Therefore, on both counts, and speaking with great respect, 1 feel that I am entitled to cal1 on the representative of Israel, and 1 propose to do SO on the clear understanding that he Will speak to US nOt on the procedure of the Council, but on some matter of substance which he wishes to raise. 115. Mr. TARABANOV (Bulgaria) [txanslated from French]: 1 should like to state my delegation’s views on the question being discussed in the Council. It is true that we are newcomers to the Security Council, but we are, nevertheless, convinced that the authority 116. I turn now to the question of the procedure which we have adopted. 1 must say, first of ail, that the question of the two documents which the representative of Jordan wishes to have brought before the Council has been settled and required no further discussion, The Security Council and yourself, Mr. President, have decided that. Secondly, 1 wish to stress avery important point, At the beginning of this meeting you said, Mr. President, that you would give the floor to the representative of Japan who wished to express his opinion and that we would then embark immecliately on the discussion of a question of procedure, That is what we have done. What was that question of procedure? We were to decide if we were going to have the two documents requested by the Jordanian representative and also how we were going to proceed with the consultations on the question before the Council. This is the discussion which is now taking place in the Council. It is a procedural discussion and nothing more. Right now it is this questionalone which we are discussing, If the Council wishes toproceed to a discussion of a different kind, it must first decide that we are going to discuss the substance of the matter, and the representative of Israel cari then speak if we are discussing the draft resolution; we would agree to that. If the representative of Israel wishes to make a statement on the substance of the question, we are agreeable, but the Council must first decide that we are discussing the substance of the matter. 117. In these circumstances, since we are discussing a procedural question, let us conclude our discussion and take a decision on this matter. The President cari then, when we proceed to consider the substance of the matter, cal1 on the representative of Israel and other representatives who may wish to speak on this question. I wished to make it clear, before any decision was taken, that I think we should conclude our procedural discussion first and decide whether or not we are going to continue our work and how we should proceed with it, and then, if we continue the debate on substance, invite the representative of Israelto speak. 118, The PRESIDENT: Two other members of the Council have asked to speak and, therefore, we should no doubt hear them. 1 would propose that, after we have heard them, if my ruling is not accepted it should be put, in accordance with the rules of procedure, to the test of a challenge.

Mr. President, your last remarks have put me in a position of some difficulty because 1 had asked for the floor in order to make a suggestion which, 1 had hoped, would happily resolve the present controversy. Now 1 do not know whether, 120. 1 agree with you, Mr. President, that when we are discussing very important matters we should give every opportunity to non-members of the Council to make contributions: but, obviously, the limit must be drawn at the point where they have always been refused permission to speak. You said that you felt and hoped that what Mr. Comay was going to say would not be on the question of procedure. 1 would therefore suggest, with respect, that as we are engaged upon a procedural question we should dispose of that procedural question and then give to the representative of Israel an opportunity to make a statement on the question of substance. 121, That is the suggestion that 1 wish, with respect, to make to you, Mr. President, and 1 shall be very glad if you Will be kind enough to give it some consideration. 122, Mr. BERRO (Uruguay) [translatedfromSpanish]: In tho first place, the procedural question, namely, the question of obtaining the evidence requested by the Jordanian representative, has been settled. The debate on that matter is closed. A vote was taken and the debate cari be reopened only if a member of the Security Council-since the Council is master of its own procedure-calls for a reconsideration of the question and if that request is upheld, supported and carried. In that case, we could indeed reoonsider the decision already taken. Failing that, we must regard the question as settled and proceed to consider the Israel representative’s request to speak. 123. In this connexion, there is an explicit ruling in ruls 37 of the provisional rules of procedure of the Council and Articles 34 and 35 of the Charter of the United Nations. Rule 37 states: “Any Member of the United Nations which is nOt a member of the Security Council may be invited, as the result of a decision of the Security COUIcil, to participate, without vote, in the discussion Of anY question brought before the Security Council when the Security Council considers that the interests of that member are specially affected, or when a Member brings a matter to the attention Of the Security Council in accordance with Article 35 (1) of the Charter,” Paragraph 1 of Article 35 of the Charter, to which rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure-the rule 1 bave just read out-refers, states: “Any Member of the United Nations maY bringany dispute, or any situation of the nature referredto in Article 34, to the attention of the SecuritY Coutil or of the General Assembly.” 124. In other words, the representative of Israel has the right to be heard in connexion with this question, which has been provided for in rule 37 of our provisional rules of procedure and more fully in Articles 34 and 35 of the Charter.

We have now heard those members of the Council who wish to speak on this subject. Let me say that it is perfectly clear thatand I have clearly recognized it and It is long established-except for members of the Council no one has the right to participate in questions of procedure. That has been well understood and is well accepted. 1 certainly would not cal1 on any representative at the United Nation.$ who is not a member of the Security Council to speak on any procedural matter. But it seems clear to me that questions have been raised in the course of our debate this afternoon, which did not deal only with procedure but which dealt with a number of wider issues, When it was put to me by the representative of Israel that he wished to speak not on a question of procedure but on a question of substance, I thought that he should not be denied the opportunity to do SO. 1 am therefore very glad to accept what the reprosentative of Nigeria put to me, that the question of procedure is a matter for the Council to decide, But 1 had to consider whether we had or had not raised matters which also dealt with substance. It seems to me that, when we Iook back on the afternoon’s discussions, we certainly have dealt with certain matters of substance. 126. It would therefore be on the clear understanding that the representative of Israel wishes to speak on a matter of substance and not of procedure that 1 now invite him to speak. 127. The xepresentative of Jordan has asked to speak, but I must remind him that 1 have just stated that, having heard the speakers who had previously asked ta be heard, I would cal1 upon the representative of Israel to speak, unless my ruling were to be challenged. If my ruling were to be challenged, we would deal with it in accordance with rule 30.

1 am raising a point of order, and as a rule a ruling follows a point of order; it is not the other way around. 129. Mr. Berro, the representative of Uruguay, very lucidly, with his usual eloquence, explained to the Council that this question of obtaining the reports was final and decided. The same thing was clearly stated by some other representatives here. 130. SO the question 1 am raising as to whether this is a substantive or procedural matter is, with a11 131. As far as requesting a report is concerned, we have done this before. You, Mr. President, in your wisdom, at the 1309th meeting, on this very question, requested the Secretary-General to present a factual report to the members of the Security Council. That report was not requested by Jordan. You, inyour wisdom, asked the Secretary-General to present a report: that report is contained on document S/‘7561/Rev.l. 1 am asking for a continuation of that report, How cari it start as a procedural matter and end up as a substantive one? Yesterday it was called procedural. Does it continue to havo the same definition or is it regarded differently today? It is the same report. 1 am simply asking for the second part of this report on this very same question of the demilitarized zone. There was a question of timing and its implications. That question was solved. SO now, first, we have decided on this procedural matter. If, Mr. President, on the understanding that the question has been decided, you wish to cal1 on Mr. Comay to speak on the question of substance, 1 have no objection: we cari listen to him a11 evening on the understanding that we have finally decided on the question of procedure. I beg you to bear with me, 132. 1 am merely trying to conclude this matter. 1 have not heard one objection to the report. Mr. Berro axplained this very clearly, as did Mr. Adebo, Mr. Fedorenko, Mr. Tarabanov and others. Therefore 1 do not see the reason for dwelling on the question of procedure which has already been decided upon. If the President, on this understanding, wishes to cal1 on Mr, Comay to speak on a question of substance, 1 endorse that and 1 am ready to listen to Mr. Comay right now.

1 would say to the representative of Jordan that 1 have made it clear, and I Will make it clear again, that I am not prepared to cal1 on Mr. Comay or any one else who is not a member of this Council to speak on any procedural matter in this Council. 1 have made this absolutely plain, and I stand on that decision. 1 am asking Mr. Comay to speak; 1 have already asked him to speak and 1 must also stand on that ruling because I understood from him that he wishes to speak ona question of substance. Therefore, 1 do not wish to invite further discussion on this matter except on a point of order which Mr. Kironde wishes to raise.

There is an unfortunate confusion which has cropped up in our discussion, if I may say SO, Mr. President, and this has been hrought about by the fa& that we seem to be dealing with tWo quite separate issues. There is the fii‘s! iSSUe

1 thank the members of the Council who have been generously ready to corne t0 my assistance, and 1 would wish certainly to confirm that we are not dealing now with a question of procedure. This 1 have made plain before and 1 repeat it. 1 am asking Mr, Comay to speak to us on the clear understanding that he is not speaking to procedure but to a question of substance, and 1 cal1 on him accordingly.

Point of order.

1 cal1 on the representative of Jordan. 138. Mr, EL-FARRA (Jordan): The question raised by Mr. Kironde, the representative of Uganda, hasnot been answered. Are we to take it that the question of procedure has been disposed of? If the answer is nyes’t, 1 Will not have any objection to anything; 1 will listen to Mr, Comay a11 night.

1 think the position is perfectly clear. During the discussion of a matter largely of procedure, questions of substance were raised. The question of procedure is no longer before us. We have no doubt about that. We agreed on that in this Council, and 1 stated to a11 members of the Council that it was SO decided, Consequently, I have pleasure in calling on Mr. Comay.

1 thankyou, Mr. President, for your courtesy and fairness in this matter. 1 have no intention whatsoever, as a non-member of the Council, of intervening in questions of the Council’s procedure at any stage. 1 wanted to speak for a few minutes on the question of substance which had been raised. 1 might have done SO perhaps an hour ago. 141. The question of substance to which 1 wish to address myself is the following. A statement has been made by the representative of Jordan that the complaint which my Government presented to this Council sixteen days ago cannot be acted upon by the Council because there is insufficient information before it, and that the Council’s action on it shouldbe postponed or delayed or deferred until further information is put before it by further reports from the Secretary- General. 143. Secondly, it has been said that the Council is not in a position to deal with our complaint at this stage because it is insufficiently informed about the problem of holding plenary meetings of the Mixed Armistice Commission. 1 am astonished to hear this argument put forward as a reason for withholding this action, which is 0% a very urgent nature, The difficulty to which 1 am referring has existed nowfor fifteen years. It is completely static; it has been the subject of numerous reports to the Security Council by the Secretary-General, which are available to members of the Council if they wish to consult them-including statements and analyses of the position of both parties. 144. Prankly, my delegation fails to understand why an urgent and tense situation should not be dealt with by the Council because of a fifteen-year-old difficulty of a static nature and of a purely juridical and interpretative character. 145. This problem was the subject of the statement I made to the Council at its 1309th meeting. I would add that my Government would prefer that the Secretary-General and the Chief of Staff of UNTSO not draw UP a report apportioning praise or blame for the situation which has arisen over the Mixed Armistice Commission. They and the Council should not sit in judgement on the positions of the parties inthe matter. They should try and find some agreed and practical basis for overcoming this difficulty, without prejudite to the position in principle of the Governments concerned. 146. My delegation would think, with very great respect, that such an approach would be more constructive for the future than the kind of report that has been suggested. 147 . It is “discoveredfl, on the fourteenth day of the C,ouncil’s deliberation on an urgent matter, that certain reports are necessary to consider it. 1 cari only regret very much that this discovery was not made on the first day of that deliberation and not when there was a draft resolution waiting for a vote by the Council. 148. There are certain other reports which might be very relevant indeed if they were made available to the Council. One of the complaints that my Government has put before the Council concerns threats against the political independence and territorial in- 149. I have one final observation to make. The fourteen days that have passed since the Council commenced these proceedings have not reduced the sense of urgency with which the Israel Government came before the Council, but have greatly increased it. During this period, bombs and mines have been exploding, people have been getting killed and tension has been rising in the area. 1 cari only suggest, with the greatest of deference, that there is a heavy onus now resting upon the organ which has the primary responsibility for peace and security. 150. The members of the Council Will have noticed from the letter that 1 wrote to you, Mr. President, on 27 October [S/7569], and whichhas been circulated, that yesterday a freight train was derailed an hour after a passenger train had passed over the same spot, If it had been the passenger train and not the freight train which had been caught by the people who detonated the explosives along that railway line, and if 100 people had been killed (as might easily have happened last night) there would have been a shock wave of tension throughout the Middle East with incalculable consequences. 151. 1 say this once more to stress the earnest hope of my Government that the Council will take prompt and effective action with the least possible delay, on a matter which does concern peace and security in our area, and concerning a situation which is deteriorating from day to day.

1 have a request to speak from the representative of Syria.

1 very much regret that I found myself under an obligation to ask for the floor. 1 would not have done SO had 1 not realized that at any cost the Chair was determined to give Mr. Comay the right to speak. 154. 1s a report about the Mixed Armistice Commission relevant to our deliberations or not? The answer is to be found in operative paragraph 4 of the draft resolution submitted to the Security Council today. That paragraph states: “Calls upon the Governments of Syria and Israel, in the light of their statements to the Council, to co-operate fully with the United Nations machinery, including the Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission established under article VII of the General Armistice Agreement , for the effective implementation of that Agreement, in order to prevent incidents, and for the same purpose to facilitate the work of United Nations Truce Supervision Organizationpersonne1 in their tasks of observation and investigation on both sides of the Armistice Demarcation line.” [S/7568.] 156. You Will notice, Mr. President, if you consult your records, that this morning 1 asked for my name to be inscribed on the list of speakers for this afternoon’s meeting, and that 1 withdr.ew my name this afternoon, 1 did this because 1 realized that the Council WLS proceeding smoothly. I had prepared a long statement to the Council on exactly this major aspect of the problem, the co-operation with and the statua of the United Nations machinery on the spot, 157, 1 have before me the records of the Councilts 1308th meeting of 17 October, and of its 1309th meeting of 20 October. If one looks at these records, one Will fincl that I merely put the questionof the status of the Mixed Armistice Commission and the demilitarized zone. On 17 October 1966 Mr. Comay made a list of the questions which he deemecl the Council was not entitlecl to discuss or which it was not necessary for the Council to discuss. He said: “We certainly have no intention of getting drawn into a discussion on the following list of topics: the demilitarized zone; land cultivation probIems , , St1 [ 1308th meeting, para. 1871, and SO on and SO forth. But on 20 October, in his statement cômmenting on the simple statement that I made that Syria was actually co-operating with the Mixed Armistice Commission, Mr. Comay made lengthy comments [ 1309th meeting, paras, 135-1461 on the Mixed Armistice Commission, whereas a11 1 said on the subject was contained in a single paragraph. 158. 1 have a very detailed answer to give to every misleading statement that Mr. Comay made, but, as 1 said, out of respect for the time of the Council 1 refrained from doing SO. 159. But there is one more very important question to ask. Why is Mr. Comay afraid of a factual report by the highest authority of the United Nations, the Secretary-General, answering the questions why the Mixed Armistice Commission between Syria and Israel is not functioning and what is the status of the demilitarized zone? Mr. Comay is manmuvring SO as nOt to get objective answers from the Sccretary- General to these questions, He is avoiding the issue; he does not want to face the issue. 1 do not want to Prejudge the issue, and I Will certainly wait for the reports of the Secretary-General to be presented to the Council, because they will shed a great deal of light on what the real situation is.

I cal1 on the representative Of the United States of America on a point of order. 162. Mr. SEYDOUX (France) [translated from French]: At this advanced hour, it seems to me desirable, in the light of the consultations which we have had and those which we may yet have, to hold an informa1 exchange of views among members of the Council. Therefore, under rule 33 of the provisional rules of procedure, 1 move that the meeting be suspended for about ten minutes.

The representative of France has proposed that we suspend our meeting for a matter of ten minutes, If there is no objection to that, it Will be SO decided. The meeting was suspended at 6.45 p.m. and resumed at ?.15’p.m.

1 should like first of a11 to say that in the course of this afternoon 1 have received requests from the representative of Saudi Arabia to be permitted to address the Council. I have spoken to the representative of Saudi hrabia and have also consulted my colleagues. We are anxious that he should have an opportunity to be heard on the matters he wishes to raise with us, but 1 believe it is the wish that we hear him at the first opportunity when this Council meets again. 1 put that suggestion to him, and 1 wish to express my appreeiation and gratitude to him for yielding to the request which I made. 1 wish to thank him for his consideration. 165, Mr. SEYDOUX (France) [translated from French]: The exchange of views which has just taken place among some of our colleagues has shown that further consultations are naeded in order to make headway with the difficult problem before the Council. Therefore, under rule 33, sub-paragrsph (2) of the provisional rules of procedure, 1 move the adjournment of this meeting.

We shall deal with the proposa1 under rule 33. Since this is a matter which must be settled without debate, 1 take it that, unless objection is raised, the Council is adjourned. It was SO decided.

I wish merely to make a short statement about our future meetings. The purpose of the adjournment which has been agreed is that intensive consultations should continue, and arrangements have been made accordingly. Subject to those consultations, it is my intention as President to consult members of the Couneil about the time of the next meeting, It will be held as soon as possible and not later than the afternoon of Monday next. The meeting rose at 7.20 p.m, HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED United Nations publications may distributors throughout the world. Write to: United Nations, Sales COMMENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS Les publications des Nations Unies agences dépositaires du monde entier. ou adressez-vous à: Nations Unies, Section COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES Las publicaciones de las Naciones casas distribuidoras en todas partes dirijase a: Naciones Unidas, Seccian Litho in U.N. Price: $lJ.S. 1.00 (or equivalent in other currencies)