Israel Confirms Reports of Meeting Lebanese Aides
to Air Tensions; Airports Keep Eye on El Al Planes

The paper reported that Foreign
JERUSALEM (JTA) — The for- Dutch authorities disclosed that Turin newspaper La Stampa, in The Soviet weekly, New Times,
Minister Mahmoud Riad would fly
eign ministry Monday confirmed special precautions had been taken which he said, in reference to the published in English, hinted at
to
Belgrade to deliver an "impor-
domestic and foreign newspaper at Schipol Airport and that addi- Beirut raid that "we passed a real- Russia's desire for Four Power tant message" from President
reports of a meeting between Is- tional security measures had been ly dark day" and that peace in the action in the Middle East. The Nasser to President Tito of Yugo-
raeli and Lebanese representatives taken for El Al planes. They said Middle East could be born "only magazine accused Israel of block- slavia.
on the border between the two the El Al office in Amsterdam re- from generosity, from the general ing the Nov. 22 resolution and not-
King Hussein of Jordan, who ar-
countries for a discussion of means ceived a number of anonymous will to interrupt the chain of vio- ed that the UN Charter empower-
Council to take rived in London for medical treat-
from the
agreed ed theSecurity
to improve
observance
the
S t
telephone
threats.
fence, perhaps of
ment Sunday, hinted that he would
intervention
of
the
Great
Powers."
measures
—
including
the
use
of
ceasefire.
Washington Metropolitan Police
a state that refuses welcome Big Power intervention
But the ministry denied a Beirut has ordered special security pre- Western diplomatic sources indi- force—against
in the Middle East dispute.
radio report that the meeting had cautions to protect the Israel Em- cated here that a Four Power con- to carry out a resolution intended Damiya Bridge Destruction
taken within the framework of the bassy because of the spread of ference on the Middle East crisis to restore or maintain peace. Any Source of Puzzlement
Mixed Armistice Commission, set Arab terrorism. authorities said. woul be "impractical" and any such action by the Security Coun-
(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
consent of
up following the end of the 1948 A permanent police guard has move by the United States and the cif would requirethe
to The Jewish News)
permanent member
war.
been established at the embassy, Soviet Union to impose a peace the States,
TEL AVIV—Israeli circles spe-
Britain and
The ministry said that the arm- and radio links established with settlement on the area would be United ates, ussil,
culated
Wednesday why the Jor-
France.
"inconceivable."
istice with Lebanon was made null police vehicles.
(Time Magazine in NewYork danians blew up Tuesday the
and void by that country's action
President Johnson viewed the Egyptian Foreign Minister Mah
Damiya Bridge, one of the two re-
in declaring war on Israel in newest violence in the Middle East moud Riad arrived in Belgrade, published this week an interview maining spans linking the East
June 1967. The meeting took place with "great concern," Presidential apparently to drum up support for with Israel's Foreign Minister and West banks of the Jordan
several days ago, the ministry press secretary George Christian the Soviet proposals. The semi- Abba Eban who said that the So- River. The Jordanian end of the
said, but declined to go into de- reported Jan. 2 at the Texas White official Cairo newspaper, Al Ah- viet Union and the United States structure was demolished by an
tails.
House. He also said the United ram, warned that Israel's rejection could not impose a settlement be- explosion shortly after mortar and
According to the press reports, States continued to support the of the Soviet plan "would drive cause "powers outside this region artillery fire was opened up on an
the Israelis warned the Lebanese mission of United Nations emis- the situation to the explosion have surprisingly little capacity to Israeli tractor on the West Bank.
of the consequences of continued sary Gunnar V. Jarring as "the point." make the states here act against
Some Israeli sources believe the
shelling of Israeli border villages most appropriate way" to seek The Soviet Union, which is rap- what they consider to be their in-
span was destroyed by terrorists
by Arab commandos stationed on Mideast peace. It was indicated idly becoming a major naval and terests." .
Eban
said
what
the
Big
Powers
acting
independently of Jordanian
Lebanon's soil. The Lebanese did that the latest White House evalua- merchant marine sea power, is
•
not respond directly to the warn- tion was that the Arab-Israeli vitally interested in a speedy re- could achieve was "to force Israel authorities. Others said that the
the
Arabs
to
turn
to
each
other
explosion_ might have been acci-
ing, but shelling that erupted over situation "tends to be quite critical opening of the Suez Canal, obser- and
.
the weekend has not been repeat- in the sense of the events that vers here said. The waterway has by excluding the possibility of an dental. They said it would have
ed, the reports said. have transpired in the last few been closed since the June, 1967 imposed settlement" and if the dis- been touched off by a mortar shell
- putants
p
finally emerged with a that hit explosives cached under
The press reports were confirm- weeks."
Arab-Israel war. Russia needs it
ed by an announcement in Beirut
Secretary of State Dean Rusk for the immediate transportation settlement of their own, the Big the bridge of Jordanian forces in
the eventuality of an Israeli in-
Monday of a recent border meet- assured American Jewish leaders of supplies to North Vietnam and, Powers could support it.)
Eban Sunday drew the cabinet's vasion.
ing with Israeli representatives.
that basic American policy toward in the long run, to maintain the
attention
to
the
statement
by
It was described as a "tech- Israel remains unchanged. Rusk Soviet posture vis-a-vis Red China.
(A military spokesman in Am-
et
nical" meeting that had nothing conferred for 80 minutes with a
man blamed Israeli mortar and
Aspects of the Soviet Union's U.S. Secretary
of State Dean
Rusk at his press conference last
to do with border tensions. Other delegation representing the Con-
artillery
fire for destroying the
reported peace plan were dis-
Friday that peace in the Middle
sources said the meeting took ference of Presidents of Major closed in articles in two author-
bridge and denied any Arab in-
depended
upon
agreement
place at Rosh Hanikra, the site
American Jewish Organizations
volvement.)
itative Soviet journals received
between the states in the area
of meetings between the Israel- which called on him to express
in London. Diplomatic sources
The Damiya bridge, which lies
which have the responsibility of
Lebanon Mixed Armistice Com-
concern over the State Depart-
said the Soviet plan does not in-
midway
between the Sea of Gali-
arrivm
' g at the conditions neces- lee
mission following the 1948 war.
ment's "one-sided" reaction to
dude an embargo on arms ship-
and the Dead Sea, carried
sary for coexistence. (Rusk also
The entire Lebanese border re- Israel's retaliatory raid on Beirut
ments to the Arab states, a po-
truckloads of oranges and vege-
urged the Arabs to "restrain
gion was blacked out Sunday night Airport Dec. 28.
Hey the United States and Brit-
terrorist activity" and the Israe- tables from the West Bank to Jor-
from the slopes of Mount Hermon
The delegation expressed the
ain have been urging.
dan
only hours before it was demo-
lis to remember that "excessive
to the coast, apparently as a pre- view that the State Department
An article in International Life, retaliation" may bring "catas- lished. The destruction of the
caution against possible Israeli re- had "over-reacted" in its criticism
bridge will severely hamper the
taliation. Over the weekend, Arab of Israel for the raid "which gave a monthly published in Moscow in trophic" results for the Middle shipment of West Bank produce to
English and other languages, pro- East. "The terrorists on the
commandos fired rockets twice at rise to widespread fears of an
Jordanian markets, a principle
posed
stationing
of
peace-keeping
Arab
side
have
to
accept
a
very
the Israeli border village of Kirvat errosion of America's positive posi-
source of revenue for West Bank
forces on both sides of demilitar- heavy responsibility for their
Shmona but caused no casualties tion toward Israel." They said an-
Arabs. Some Israeli sources said
or damage. Last week, three Is- other concern was that "the ized Israel-Arab borders as part unwillingness to accept the
that terrorists—opponents of any
of
a
guarantee
of
a
peace
settle-
ceasefire
lines
.
.
.
One
can
raeli civilians died there as a re- United States might be moving to-
Arab Israel cooperation — may
sult of a rocket barrage.
ward a collaboration with the So- ment by the United Nations Secu- understand how impatient the have destroyed the bridge in order
Lebanon is taking defense pre- viet Union in the latter's attempt rity Council or the Big Four. Israelis get from time to time
to create economic hardships for
The settlement reportedly en- when these terrorist raids con-
cautions. According to reports to force an imposed solution, short
West Bankers and foster unrest
from Beirut, the army high com- of peace and prejudicial to the visioned by the Russians was one tinue, raids for which the Arab
among them. The Jordan River,
mand has proposed compulsory security and survival of Israel." based on the Security Council's governments do not accept di-
swollen by winter floods, will be
military service for youths reach-
On emerging from the meeting, Nov. 22, 1967 resolution which calls rect responsibility," he added.)
impassable
until spring except for
for
Israeli
withdrawal
from
occu-
Gen. Chaim Bar-Lev, Israel's
ing the age of 18 and will establish the delegation issued a statement
chief of staff, said Arab terrorist the Allenby Bridge, north of
special units to train villagers saying that it was "assured" by pied Arab territories.
Jericho.
near the borders.
As the Russians-and Arabs inter- activities against Israel might
Rusk that "the policy of the U.S.
Explosives planted by saboteurs
The army has also apparently government has not changed in pret it, withdrawal must be car- spark a new Middle East war and
reinforced the border region. Le- any respect from the clear five- ried out before any other provi- that prevention of a conflict would severely damaged the north wall
banese military vehicles were point program announced by Pres- sions of the resolution become depend on Israel's ability to check of the Monastery of St. John the
seen from Israeli observation posts ident Johnson on June 19, 1967, operative. Israel categorically re- such opertations. He made the Baptist near Jericho Tuesday
Monday moving between army and which was later embodied in jetted the Soviet plan Sunday. statement after meeting with mili- night. The monastery is property
of the Greek Orthodox Church.
positions. The military deployment the United Nations resolution of Foreign Minister Abba Eban told tary correspondents.
An explosion that blew up an
on the Lebanese side of the border Nov. 22, 1967."
the cabinet it was unacceptable be-
He expressed the belief that the
was viewed as a possible measure Soviets Press Big Four Meeting
cause it would have Israel with- Egyptians would choose war as a empty house in a Jerusalem sub-
to control the activities of Arab on Mid-East in Washington,
draw without any peace treaty or solution if Egypt could not achieve urb last night caused no other
all
terrorists bent on attacking Israel Paris, London Capitals
agreed and secure boundaries.
its goals politically. He predicted damage but rattle windows
as well as to bolster Lebanon's de-
WASHINGTON (JTA) — The So-
A report in the London Sunday that Egypt would go to war only -over the city. Ten residents of
fenses against a possible Israeli viet Union pressed in three major Observer that the Soviet plan en- when its leaders were convinced Gaza were injured Wednesday,
attack.
capitals its campaign for a Big visaged a limitation of arms ship- they had military superiority over four seriously, when a hand gren-
ade thrown at an Israeli pick-up
In Bonn officials said that spe- Power conference .to ease mount- ments to the Middle East was dis- Israel.
truck missed its mark and ex-
cial measures were being
taken
be
ing Middle East tensions as new counted in diplomatic quarters.
Gen. Bar-Lev said that the third ploy ed in a crowd.
to guard Arab and Israeli air- fighting was reported on two of It said Russia insists on a free Prospect, continuation of the exist-
Defense Minister Moshe Dayan
planes at all West German air- Israel's three fronts. In a signific- hand to supply arms to the Arabs ing situation, was difficult but that
ports, especially at Frankfurt,
ant related development, Pope both as a means of assuring their Israel would be able "to stand told the Hnes set that 470
West Germany's biggest airport Paul declared in a rare news- friendship and as a lever by which through it," He declared there was saboteurs were killed last year
and the main intercontinental
paper interview that intervention the Soviets can exert pressure on no "absolute reply" to the attacks but that terrorist activities
against Israel have not in-
stopover. Israeli and A r a b
by the major powers might be the Arab regimes. by terrorists but that there were
planes are placed far away from necessary to bring peace to the
The sources said that the Rus- ways, to reduce such actions to a creased. He denied an Egyptian
claim
that a new sabotage band
area.
each other and airport security
sians have slowed down delivery minimum. He also said that while
men carefully check identity
The Soviet ambassador to Brit- of the latest type of sophisticated Israel had created defensive posi- was active in the Sinai:
A military tribunal in Tulkarem
papers of each visitor.
ain, Mikhail Smyrnovsky, confer- offensive weapons to Egypt be- lions along the Suez Canal and the
At Munich, where no Arab red in London for 30 minutes with cause their presence might encour- Jordanian ceasefire line, this sentenced a 24-year-old El Fatah
commander
to life imprisonment
planes normally stop, similar mea- Foreign Secretary Michael Stew- age a new war against Israel. action did not mean that the army
On the other hand, latest Western had "dug in" to fight only a de- and 10 years at hard labor Wedne9-
sures are being taken, and police- art. Valerian Zorin, the Russian
men guard Israeli aircraft.
envoy to France, met for nearly intelligence reports say that Mos- fensive war. He said the army day. The prisoner, Abu Nabil, con-
A spokesman for Lufthansa, the an hour with President Charles de cow has restored virtually all the was geared for "an offensive de- fessed that he entered Israel with
orders to kill Jews and Arab
German National Airlines, which Gaulle. Yuri N. Cherniakov, the arms Egypt and other Arab states fense."
serves as host to El Al passengers Soviet charges d'affaires in Wash- lost in the Six-Day War. Accord- The Cairo newspaper AI Ahram "collaborators" and that he had
fired
on Israeli soldiers.
at West German airports, said that ington, met with Undersecretary ing to those reports, some of the warned that the "eruption of war
The indiscriminate nature of
it was not possible to take govern- of State Eugene Rostow for a fur- replacements are more modern is a certainly" in the Middle East
ment action to prevent attacks on ther discussion of Soviet proposals and more sophisticated than past unless there is fast international terrorist activities was brought
Israeli planes. He explained that for a Middle East settlement.
materiel supplied and included action to avoid it. The paper, out at a trial in Lydda of four
control of passengers, freight and
Sources in Paris said. Zorin had planes, missiles, radar and naval which is considered to reflect the Arabs accused of planting a bomb
in the Merkaz movie house In Tel
luggage would make it impossible presented to Gen. de Gaulle a So- installations. views of the Egyptian government
But some sources said the Rus- and President Gamal Abdel Nas- Aviv last May. One defendant con-
to continue air traffic. Neverthe- viet proposal in support the French
and his companions
less, he said, planes from the plan for a Four Power conference. sians are afraid to send their lat- ser, issued the warning in the con- fessed that he
intended to blow up the offices
Middle East will be watched care-
The Pope made his suggestion est military hardware to the Arab text of a report on current Big of the newspaper Yediot Ahronot,
fully.
in an interview published in the lest they fall into Israeli hands, to Power contacts aimed at working but were frightened off by activity
be later made available for inspec- out a formula for settling the Mid-
there and decided to blast the
22 Friday, January 10, 1969
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS tion by the United States.. die East crisis.
movie house instead.

—

