Mideast situation – SRSG Gunnar Jarring’s mission – SecGen further report

Distr.

GENERAL

S/10070/Add.1

1 February 1971

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

FURTHER REPORT BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE ACTIVITIES

OF THE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE MIDDLE EAST

1.   On 4 January 1971, in submitting to the Security Council a report on the activities of Ambassador Jarring, my Special Representative to the Middle East, I was able to note that it had been possible to arrange for the resumption of the discussions under his auspices with Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Republic for the purpose of reaching agreement on a just and lasting peace between them.

2.   Ambassador Jarring resumed his discussions with the parties at Headquarters on 5 January 1971 and has pursued them actively. He has held a series of meetings with the representatives of Israel (including meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during a brief visit to Israel made from 8 to 10 January 1971 at the request of that Government), of Jordan, and of the United Arab Republic. In addition, he held meetings with the Permanent Representative of Lebanon, which is also a State directly concerned with the Middle East settlement.

3.   At an early stage in these meetings Israel presented to Ambassador Jarring, for transmission to the Governments concerned, papers containing its views on the "Essentials of Peace". Subsequently, the United Arab Republic and Jordan, having received the respective Israeli views, presented papers containing their own views concerning the implementation of the provisions of Security Council resolution 242 (1967). Papers containing the further reactions of the Governments of Israel and the United Arab Republic have now been received.

4.   While recognizing that the resumed discussions are still at an early stage and that much further clarification is required, I find grounds for cautious optimism in the fact that the parties have resumed the talks through Ambassador Jarring in a serious manner and that there has been some progress in the definition of their positions. Furthermore, the parties, who have already indicated their willingness to carry our resolution 242 (1967), are now describing in greater detail their view of their obligations under that resolution. I take this opportunity to appeal to the parties to pursue their role in the discussions in a constructive manner, to co-operate with Ambassador Jarring with a view to the carrying out of resolution 242 (1967) and, in this very difficult and crucial stage of the discussions, to withhold fire, to exercise military restraint, and to maintain the quiet which has prevailed in the area since August 1970.