HC Deb 30 November 1953 vol 521 cc751-3
38. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the United Nations have had any further report in respect of the relationship between Israel and Jordan; and what proposals have been made to the United Nations to minimise friction and conflict between these two and other Powers involved.

Mr. Eden

The Security Council received first-hand reports from the United Nations Chief of Staff in its recent discussion of the Qibya incident and the general question of compliance with the armistice agreements between Israel and her neighbours. This discussion resulted in the adoption of a resolution on 24th November which condemned the Israeli action at Qibya and called upon the Government of Jordan to strengthen its measures to prevent infiltration.

The resolution also called on both parties to abide by their obligationsunder the armistice agreements, and provided for the strengthening of the Truce Supervision Organisation and for a further review of the situation by the Security Council in three months' time.

In addition, the Israel Government have requested the Secretary-General of the United Nations to convoke a conference between Israel and Jordan to review the armistice agreement between them.

Mr. Sorensen

When will that take place? Is it anticipated that something more than this will be done to make both parties and others realise the gravity of the situation which they are helping to create?

Mr. Eden

I could not say when the Israeli Government's request to the Secretary-General will become operative. It is, I think, obligatory on both parties. As for the general situation, my own view, if I may state it frankly to the House, is that it will be better to allow a little time to elapse before we attempt to try to bring the parties together on more reasonable conditions. I think we have to allow the feelings created by the Qibya incident to subside to some extent before we attempt successful negotiations.

Mr. H. Morrison

May I ask the Foreign Secretary whether Her Majesty's Government, directly or through the United Nations, are doing something with a view to moving beyond the armistice stage, to a state of peace between Israel and her neighbours? Is it not a fact that the long continuance of this so-called armistice is one of the complications in this situation on both sides?

Mr. Eden

I agree entirely with the right hon. Gentleman. That is what I had in mind when I said that after the Qibya incident it was wiser to allow a little time to elapse before any fresh negotiations were attempted; but I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that the only final solution lies in a peace settlement, and we should like to do all in our power to promote it.

Mr. Shinwell

In the matter of the proposals by the Israeli Government to sit in conference with the Jordan Government with a view to arriving at a solution—a partial solution—of this very vexed problem, could the United Kingdom Government use their undoubted influence with the Jordan Government—I do not say at present, in view of what the Foreign Secretary said, but at some suitable stage—to effect an agreement?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. I think it is important. All that the Israeli Government have asked for is a meeting with the Jordan Government in respect of the armistice agreement. What the right hon. Member for Lewisham, South (Mr. H. Morrison) asked me was about a wider aspect of trying to reach a peace settlement, and I think the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) is on the same point. It is the second rather than the first which is of lasting importance for that part of the world.

Mr. Janner

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would have been better to expedite the meeting asked for by the Israeli Government under Article 12 of the armistice agreement, so as to avoid any difficulties which may arise in the meantime, and does he not think that our Government should exercise their influence in that direction?

Mr. Eden

I think that the meeting called for is obligatory on the two parties, but I must say to the hon. Gentleman and to the House that we have to understand how much the scar of the Qibya event still exists. We have to allow time for that scar to heal over before we can usefully, I believe, produce any important result.