Arms Supply Policy 28. PREVENTION OF LOCAL ARMS IMBALANCE: Address by the President, October 20, 1954 (Excerpt) 1 1 In the Near East, we are all regretfully aware that the major differences between Israel and the Arab States remain unresolved. Our goal there, as elsewhere, is a just peace. By friendship toward both, we shall continue to contribute to peaceful relations among these peoples. And in helping to strengthen the security of the entire Near East, we shall make sure that any arms we provide are devoted to that purpose, not to creating local imbalances which could be used for intimidation of or aggression against any neighboring nations. In every such arrangement we make with any nation, there is ample assurance that this distortion of purpose cannot occur. 29. AVOIDANCE OF AN ARMS RACE: Statement by the Secretary of State and the British Foreign Secretary, September 27, 1955 2 The United States Secretary of State and British Foreign Secretary discussed together reports relating to their arms supply policies in the Middle East. They wish to state that the United States and British Governments have for some time been in close consultation with each other as well as with other governments in relation to this matter and that there has been, and continues to be, complete harmony of views between their two governments. Both governments base their policies on the desire, on the one hand, to enable the various countries to provide for internal security and for their defense, and on the other, to avoid an arms race which would inevitably increase the tensions in the area. They will continue, and hope other governments will continue, to be guided by these principles. 1 Department of State Bulletin, Nov. 8, 1954, p. 678. The President's address was delivered at the American Jewish Tercentenary Dinner in New York City. 2 Ibid., Oct. 10, 1955, p. 560. 30. SHIPMENT OF SOVIET ARMS TO ARAB COUNTRIES: Remarks by the Secretary of State at News Conference, October 4, 1955 (Excerpts) 1 Q. Mr. Secretary, can you give us any information you might have about Mr. Allen's progress in talks with Nasser3 in Cairo? A. He has had a very good talk, indeed two rather full talks, from which I think he has gained an insight as to the Egyptian motives in this matter, and I think that Colonel Nasser has gained an insight as to our attitude toward the matter. There is better understanding than there was before. I think in substance that is the result of his trip and that was the purpose of his trip. Q. Mr. Secretary, further in that connection, could you tell us whether our attitude toward the proposed contract arrangement has changed any since Mr. Allen completed his talks with Colonel Nasser? A. I had prepared a little statement which perhaps I will read to you, because I anticipated questions on this topic. At my press conference the last of August (August 30) I was asked about possible Soviet-bloc shipments of arms to Arab countries. I made two observations. The first was that the Arab countries were independent governments and free to do whatever they wished in the matter. My second observation was that, from the standpoint of U.S. relations with the Soviet Union, such delivery of arms would not contribute to relaxing tensions. Those two observations stand today. I might add this: It is difficult to be critical of countries which, feeling themselves endangered, seek the arms which they sincerely believe they need for defense. On the other hand, I doubt very much that, under the conditions which prevail in the area, it is possible for any country to get security through an arms race. Also it is not easy or pleasant to speculate on the probable motives of the Soviet-bloc leaders. In my talk about this matter of August 26,5 I spoke of the fear which dominated the area and said that I felt that it could be dissipated only by collective measures designed to deter aggression by anyone. I proposed a security guaranty sponsored by the United Nations. That, I said, would relieve the acute fears which both sides now profess. It is still my hope that such a solution may be found. Q. Mr. Secretary, if I may ask one other question, there have been reports that the United States might provide arms to Israel to balance 1 Department of State Bulletin, Oct. 17, 1955, p. 604. George V. Allen, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian and African Affairs. Gamel Abdel Nasser, Prime Minister of Ezypt. • Department of State Bulletin, Sept. 12, 1955, p. 421. Supra, pp. 2176-2180. any arms shipments from the Soviet bloc to Egypt. Can you tell us whether this is a likely prospect or not? A. No, I could not say whether it would be a likely prospect or not. As I say, in the first place we do not know what amount or character of arms may be involved in the Egyptian-Soviet bloc deal and to what extent, if any, it may seriously upset the balance of power in the area. It has in the main been the policy of the United States, as was set out in the joint statement which the British Foreign Secretary and I issued in New York last week,' to avoid participating in what might become an arms race, and we still hope it will be possible to avoid getting into that situation. Jurisdictional Disputes and Border Incidents 31. AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS TRUCE SUPERVISION ORGANIZATION AND OF THE SYRIAN-ISRAELI MIXED ARMISTICE COMMISSION: United Nations Security Council Resolution, May 18, 1951 2 The Security Council Recalling its past resolutions of 15 July 1948, 11 August 1949, 17 November 1950 and 8 May 1951 relating to the General Armistice Agreements between Israel and the neighbouring Arab States and to the provisions contained therein concerning methods for maintaining the armistice and resolving disputes through the mixed armistice commissions participated in by the parties to the General Armistice Agreements, Noting the complaints of Syria and Israel to the Security Council, statements in the Council of the representatives of Syria and Israel, the reports to the Secretary-General of the United Nations by the Chief of Staff and the Acting Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce 1 Supra. 2 U.N. document S/INF/6, Mar. 4, 1952, pp. 10-13. The draft resolution (S/2151/Rev. 1) was introduced by the United States and cosponsored by France, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. For Ambassador Warren R. Austin's statement on May 16, 1951, see Department of State Bulletin, June 4, 1951, pp. 914916. For background information see Report of the Security Council to the General Assembly Covering the Period from 16 July 1950 to 15 July 1951 (A/1873), pp. 61–67, and United States Participation in the United Nations: Report by the President to the Congress for the Year 1951 (Department of State publication 4583; 1952), pp. 114-116. U. N. doc. S/INF/2, July 18, 1949, pp. 50-51. Ibid., S/INF/3, Feb. 1, 1950, pp. 14-15. 'Supra, pp. 698–724. 415900-57-vol. 2 -38 Supervision Organization for Palestine, and statements before the Council by the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization for Palestine, Noting that the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization in a memorandum of 7 March 1951, and the Chairman of the Syrian-Israel Mixed Armistice Commission on a number of occasions. have requested the Israel delegation to the Mixed Armistice Commission to ensure that the Palestine Land Development Company, Limited, is instructed to cease all operations in the demilitarized zone until such time as an agreement is arranged through the Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission for continuing this project, Noting further that article V of the General Armistice Agreement between Israel and Syria1 gives to the Chairman the responsibility for the general supervision of the demilitarized zone, Endorses the requests of the Chief of Staff and the Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission on this matter and calls upon the Government of Israel to comply with them; Declares that in order to promote the return of permanent peace in Palestine, it is essential that the Governments of Israel and Syria observe faithfully the General Armistice Agreement of 20 July 1949; Notes that under article VII, paragraph 8, of the Armistice Agreement, where interpretation of the meaning of a particular provision of the agreement, other than the preamble and articles I and II, is at issue, the Mixed Armistice Commission's interpretation shall prevail; Calls upon the Governments of Israel and Syria to bring before the Mixed Armistice Commission or its Chairman, whichever has the pertinent responsibility under the Armistice Agreement, their complaints and to abide by the decisions resulting therefrom; Considers that it is inconsistent with the objectives and intent of the Armistice Agreement to refuse to participate in meetings of the Mixed Armistice Commission or to fail to respect requests of the Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission as they relate to his obligations under article V and calls upon the parties to be represented at all meetings called by the Chairman of the Commission and to respect such requests; Calls upon the parties to give effect to the following excerpt cited by the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization at the 542nd meeting of the Security Council on 25 April 1951, as being from the summary record of the Syria-Israel Armistice Conference of 3 July 1949, which was agreed to by the parties as an authoritative comment on article V of the General Armistice Agreement between Israel and Syria: "The question of civil administration in villages and settlements in the demilitarized zone is provided for, within the framework of an Armistice Agreement, in sub-paragraphs 5 (b) and 5 (f) of the draft article. Such civil administration, including policing, will be on a local basis, without raising general questions of administration, jurisdiction, citizenship and sovereignty. 1 Supra, pp. 719-724. "Where Israel civilians return to or remain in an Israel village or settlement, the civil administration and policing of the village or settlement will be by Israelis. Similarly, where Arab civilians return to or remain in an Arab village, a local Arab administration and police unit will be authorized. "As civilian life is gradually restored, administration will take shape on a local basis under the general supervision of the Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission. "The Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission, in consultation and co-operation with the local communities will be in a position to authorize all necessary arrangements for the restoration and protection of civilian life. He will not assume responsibility for direct administration of the zone." Recalls to the Governments of Syria and Israel their obligations under Article 2, paragraph 4 of the Charter of the United Nations and their commitments under the Armistice Agreement not to resort to military force and finds that: (a) Aerial action taken by the forces of the Government of Israel on 5 April 1951 and (b) Any aggressive military action by either of the parties in or around the demilitarized zone, which further investigation by the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization into the reports and complaints recently submitted to the Council may establish, constitutes a violation of the cease-fire provision provided in the Security Council resolution of 15 July 1948 and are inconsistent with the terms of the Armistice Agreement and the obligations assumed under the Charter; Noting the complaint with regard to the evacuation of Arab residents from the demilitarized zone; (a) Decides that Arab civilians who have been removed from the demilitarized zone by the Government of Israel should be permitted to return forthwith to their homes and that the Mixed Armistice Commission should supervise their return and rehabilitation in a manner to be determined by the Commission; and (b) Holds that no action involving the transfer of persons across international frontiers, armistice lines or within the demilitarized zone should be undertaken without prior decision of the Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission. Noting with concern the refusal on a number of occasions to permit observers and officials of the Truce Supervision Organization to enter localities and areas which were subjects of complaints in order to perform their legitimate functions, considers that the parties should permit such entry at all times whenever this is required, to enable the Truce Supervision Organization to fulfil its functions, and should render every facility which may be requested by the Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission for this purpose; Reminds the parties of their obligations under the Charter of the |