Cease-fire in the Negeb/Truce observance – Letter from Foreign Minister of Israel

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DUAL DISTRIBUTION

LETTER DATED 27 OCTOBER 1948 FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PROVISIONAL

GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL TRANSMITTING A LETTER DATED 26 OCTOBER 1948 FROM THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF ISRAEL CONCERNING CEASE-FIRE IN THE NEGEB

I enclose the text of a letter from the Foreign Minister of Israel to yourself, which was transmitted to me by cable today.

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LETTER TO DR. RALPH BUNCHE, THE ACTING MEDIATOR

Hakirya, Israel, 26 October 1948

In reply to your communication transmitted today by your personal representative in Tel  Aviv, I draw your attention to the following sentence in the resolution adopted by the Security Council at its 367th meeting held 19 October, 1948, which bears on the point at issue:

"After the cease-fire the following conditions might well be considered as the basis for further negotiations looking toward an insurance that similar outbreaks will not again occur and that the truce will be fully observed in this area:

"(a) Withdrawal of both parties from any positions not occupied at the time of the outbreak, …"

It is thus clear that the return to the military status quo ante was defined by the Security Council as a possible subject for further negotiations.  It does not imply an absolute injunction as you appear to have assumed.

(Signed)   MOSHE SHERTOK

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