Egypt-Israel Cease-Fire Agreement – Report on negotiations – Cablegram from UN Acting Mediator

CABLEGRAM DATED 13 JANUARY 1949 FROM THE ACTING MEDIATOR ADDRESSED

TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL TRANSMITTING A REPORT ON NEGOTIATIONS

BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OF EGYPT AND THE PROVISIONAL

GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL

"Following my report of 12 January between representatives of the Government of Egypt and of the Provisional Government of Israel to seek agreement on the terms of an armistice I have the honour to present a further report on these negotiations.

I held informal meetings each delegation separately on morning of 13th at which agreement was reached on all points of procedure and on an agenda for the discussions.

This afternoon, 13 January, the first joint meeting was held.  At the meeting the delegations were introduced.  On the formal request of both delegations I assumed the role of Chairman of the meetings.  The heads of the two delegations each made a formal declaration of his Government's desire for the establishment of an armistice and pledging his delegation to work persistently and in a spirit of conciliation toward that end.

The agenda for future discussions is sufficiently broad to cover outstanding points with regard to the implementation of the resolutions of 4th and 16th November.

Meetings will now proceed on the substantive items on three levels as follows:

1. Preliminary discussions separately with each delegation;

2. Informal meetings between heads of delegations and the United Nations;

3. Joint formal meetings of the two delegations.

The conciliatory spirit of both parties and the progress made in matters of procedure continue to inspire hope for successful results.

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