by Israel since 1948 in the economic, technical, social and cultural fields. He noted the example provided by Israel in economic growth and human development in conditions of freedom.

Prime Minister Eshkol expressed deep appreciation for the consistent interest and sympathy shown by the U.S. and for the generous economic assistance rendered by the U.S. Government and the American people to Israel over the years. He was confident that Israel's development would continue unabated towards the rapid achievement of a self-sustaining economy. It was his deep conviction that peace and the maintenance of the territorial integrity and national independence of all countries in the Near East is of vital interest to the region and to the world.

The President welcomed assurances of Israel's deep concern, which the United States shares, for peace in the area. He reiterated to Prime Minister Eshkol U.S. support for the territorial integrity and political independence of all countries in the Near East and emphasized the firm opposition of the U.S. to aggression and the use of force or the threat of force against any country. In this connection, both leaders expressed their concern at the diversion of vitally important resources from development to armaments.

The two leaders declared their firm determination to make every effort to increase the broad area of understanding which already exists between Israel and the United States and agreed that the Prime Minister's visit advanced this objective.

The agreement reached to undertake joint studies on problems of desalting provided concrete evidence of the desire of the United States to continue to assist Israel in its effort to solve remaining economic problems.20 Both countries view this as part of the worldwide cooperative effort being undertaken to solve the problem of scarcity of water and hope for rapid progress toward large-scale desalting in Israel. The knowledge and experience obtained from the joint effort will be available to all countries with water deficiencies. In conclusion, the President and Prime Minister expressed their conviction that their peoples shared common values and were dedicated to the advancement of man, to individual freedom, and to human dignity.

The information officers of the 13 Arab embassies in Washington issued a statement, June 1, 1964, holding that Mr. Eshkol's visit might have "serious implications for the future of Arab-American relations," that Mr. Eshkol was here to "ask the United States for arms and the conclusion of a bilateral security treaty," and that Israel was already a threat to regional and consequently to world peace and had no need for such arms. (The New York Times, June 2, 1964.) Acting Secretary of State Ball called in diplomatic representatives of the 13 Arab countries to the State Department to "pursue with them the statement issued yesterday by their information officers." It was reported that Mr. Ball had complained that the statement was an unwarranted intrusion and that its timing had offended the Government. (Ibid., June 3, 1964.)

See post, doc. VII-18.

Document VII-15

Proposed Program of Relief for Palestine Refugees: ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST, 1 JULY 1963-30 JUNE 1964, SUBMITTED AUGUST 28, 1964 (EXCERPT) 21

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED PROGRAMME

52. The Commissioner-General believes that, should the General Assembly decide to extend UNRWA's mandate, it may find it helpful to have before it a brief summary of the main points of a programme which the Agency would hope to carry out:

(a) The employment of greater flexibility in the provision of relief (comprising basic rations, supplementary feeding, shelter, clothing and assistance to individuals suffering special hardship, as in the proposed three-part division of the Agency's functions and budget)," with a view to adjusting the assistance provided more closely to the ascertained current needs of individual refugees and refugee families;

(b) The continuation and, if resources permit, appropriate increase of relief provided for refugees in need;

(c) The progressive achievement of a substantial revision of the ration rolls with the aim of ensuring that the relief dispensed by the Agency is given to those refugees who are in need and withdrawn from those no longer in need or otherwise ineligible for it. (As the means of accomplishing this are now being discussed with the host Governments, a supplementary report will be submitted to the General Assembly later in the year);

23

(d) The maintenance of the existing level of health services, in close coordination with the health authorities of the host Governments and within the framework of local legislation;

(e) The exploration with the refugees themselves and, as necessary, with the host Governments concerned, of the possibility of refugee participation in the administration of certain of the communal affairs of the camps.

(f) The maintenance of existing communal welfare services to the extent that funds permit and with increased participation by voluntary agencies, the refugees themselves and others concerned;

(g) The maintenance of the existing pattern of UNRWA services in the field of education and training, in close co-ordination with the education authorities in the host countries and within the framework of local legislation; and the development and improvement of those services, as funds permit, using for the purpose savings that may be effected in other sections of the Agency's budget; (h) The continued advancement of capable and experienced Palestinian members of the Agency's staff to positions of greater responsibility in the UNRWA service;

(i) A continuation of efforts to raise increased contributions from both governmental and non-governmental sources.

The Commissioner-General would appreciate any guidance the General Assembly may wish to give him as to whether the above suggestions represent the role which UNRWA should seek to play in the future service of the refugees. In connexion with the possible extension of the Agency's mandate, he trusts the Gen

U.N. doc. A/5813. John H. Davis resigned with effect from Dec. 31, 1963, and was replaced as of Jan. 1, 1964, by Laurence Michelmore as CommissionerGeneral.

22 For calendar year 1965, this report of the Commissioner-General proposed a budget totaling $37 million (an increase of $100,000 over the estimated expenditure for 1964), and subdivided into $16,600,000 for relief services, $5 million for health services, and $15,400,000 for education and training services. 41 of U.N. doc. A/5813.)

Not circulated during 1964.

(Par.

eral Assembly will take note of the reasons given above which, in his opinion, render it desirable that any extension should be for a reasonably long period."

Document VII-16

The Threat to International Peace From Alleged Arab League Intentions To Liquidate Israel: LETTER FROM THE ISRAEL REPRESENTATIVE AT THE U.N. (COMAY) TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL (MOROZOV), SEPTEMBER 18, 1964 25

Document VII-17

Operations of the United Nations Emergency Force During the Period August 1, 1963-July 31, 1964: REPORT OF THE U.N. SECRETARYGENERAL (THANT), SEPTEMBER 29, 1964 (EXCERPTS) 26

27

Introduction

This report covers the functioning of UNEF from 31 August 1963, when the last report was submitted to the General Assembly by the Secretary-General in pursuance of Assembly resolution 1125 (XI), paragraph 4,2 to 31 July 1964.

28

Organization and functioning of the Force

I. EFFECTIVENESS AND ORGANIZATION

29

1. In the period reviewed by this report, UNEF has continued its function of guarding and patrolling along the ADL and in the Gaza Strip and the IF* in the Sinai Peninsula. As a result this area has continued to remain free of any serious incidents. There appears to be a growing sense of security among the population as evidenced by increased cultivation and commercial and building activity.

2. The total number of violations of the ADL and of the IF and of cases of infiltration is approximately the same as in the year 1962-1963. These violations, except for the very few cases which involved planned attempts on the part of individuals to enter the territory of the other side, were of a quite minor nature, such as incursions of ten to fifty metres until the parties were warned off by UNEF patrols. Air violations, however, continue to cause There was one incident of air combat in July 1963 between United Arab Republic and Israel aircraft near the IF. But, as in previous years, the greater number of air space violations occurred in the northeast area of the Gaza Strip.

concern.

3. During 1963-64 there has been no significant change in the general operational functions of UNEF in spite of reductions in strength of certain contingents of the Force. But in consequence of the reductions there have been some changes in the deployment of contingents within UNEF (see section II of this report).*

24

A draft resolution in U.N. doc. A/L.458, submitted by the President of the U.N. General Assembly (Quaison-Sackey), extending the mandate of UNRWA for 1 year until June 30, 1966, was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly without dissent as Res. 2002 (XIX), Feb. 10, 1965. (See U.N. doc. A/PV.1328.)

U.N. doc. S/5980. This letter referred to the Arab League Council's Declaration of Sept. 11, 1964 (ante, doc. VII-8).

28

"U.N. doc. A/5736 and Corr. 1.

27 Text in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1965, pp. 587–590. 28 Text ibid., 1957, p. 896.

29 Armistice demarcation line.

30 International frontier.

"Not printed here.

4. The Force has been reduced by a total of 239 all ranks (i.e., the DANOR " battalion by one company of 139 all ranks and the Yugoslav reconnaissance battalion by 100 all ranks). The Brazilian battalion in its next rotation will be reduced by 100 men, making a total reduction of 389 for the Force. 5. The composition of the Force, as of 31 July 1964, was as follows:

17. The type and number of incidents observed by UNEF troops between August 1963 and July 1964 are indicated in annexes I-V. The total number of cases of infiltration and other incidents along the ADL and IF has remained approximately the same. Most of these incidents were of a very minor nature. 18. The number of air violations has dropped by approximately 25 per cent of last year's figure.

19. The number of sea violations on both sides has increased since last year but the majority were violations by small fishing boats and of a minor nature.

Document VII-18

Israel-United States Agreement To Study the Feasibility of a Large Water Desalting Project for Israel: MEMORANDUM SIGNED AT WASHINGTON BY THE ACTING SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR (HOLUM) AND THE AMBASSADOR OF ISRAEL (HARMAN), OCTOBER 15, 1964 34

Having examined the recommendations of the Joint Israeli-United States desalting team,35 the undersigned affirm the following Principles of Understanding:

Danish-Norwegian.

*Not printed here.

34

Department of State Bulletin, Nov. 16, 1964, p. 724. This memorandum was also signed by the Chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (Seaborg) and the Prime Minister of Israel's Coordinator of the Water Desalting Project (Gen. Zur).

For the U.S.-Israel communiqué of June 11, 1964 (revised June 22, 1964), on the appointment of a joint U.S.-Israel technical team, see the Department of State Bulletin, June 29, 1964, p. 1001. For the recommendations of this joint team of experts, see ibid., Nov. 16, 1964, pp. 725–726.

1. That an invitation for proposals for the undertaking of a detailed feasibility study by a consulting engineering firm should be issued promptly by the Governments;

2. That, based upon review of the proposals, and interviews if necessary, an engineer be selected and an appropriate contract acceptable to both Governments be executed;

3. That the cost of the engineering study be shared equally by the two Governments;

4. That a Joint Board, consisting of an equal number of representatives from each of the Governments (with a representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency as an observer), be appointed to prepare the invitation, make recommendations for selection of the engineer and the terms of the contract, and to perform such other functions in relation to the engineering contract as will later be defined by the Governments, and to make recommendations to the two Governments.

DONE at Washington in duplicate this fourteenth day of October,

1964.36

Document VII-19

United States Call for Peaceful Settlement of the Dispute on the Israel-Syria Armistice Demarcation Line: STATEMENT MADE BY THE U.S. REPRESENTATIVE (STEVENSON) IN THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL, DECEMBER 3, 1964 (EXCERPT) 37

I confess my profound disappointment that on November 13 Syria and Israel once again saw fit to resort to arms.38 We are disappointed that they were instantly prepared to do so with armaments that have no place in defensive areas, but the first shot fired from a rifle quickly escalated into fire on the spot and elsewhere by tanks, by artillery, and finally by jet aircraft. We are saddened, as previous speakers have said here, by the loss of life on both sides. We find it difficult to excuse the readiness with which the whole military action was undertaken.

The general significance of the events is clear: In a time of tension and the buildup of military forces, controversial activity along the armistice line was met with abrupt firing across it. Instead of resorting in the first instance to United Nations machinery, each side struck

36

Arrangements for a feasibility study of the proposed desalting plant for Israel were not completed during 1964.

37

38

Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 4, 1965, pp. 27-29.

Syrian forces fired first, charging that an Israel armored car had entered Syria. Israel bombed Syrian positions on the Banias-Kuneitra road, after accepting a cease-fire arranged by the Chairman of the Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission (ISMAC). The Israel delegate in ISMAC said he had not been able to contact all Israel positions regarding the proposed cease-fire. (See U.N. doc. S/6061 and Corr.1-3 and Add.1.)