Eban, the Israeli representative, called upon me this morning, to explain the position of the Israeli delegation on their recent complaint against the United Kingdom Government. His original instructions had been to press for an investigation by the Security Council. However, following assurances from the United States Government and in order not to prejudice the outcome of the Rhodes armistice talks, they had acceded to the view that it would not be advantageous to request a meeting of the Security Council at this time. He expressed the hope that he had not put me in an embarrassing position, as President, by appearing to leave the initiative in calling a meeting to the President. He pointed out he had taken pains, however, to make it clear that he had not requested a meeting of the Security Council. Eban wished to learn my attitude as President of the Security Council.

2. I assured him that I concurred whole-heartedly in the view that nothing should be allowed to happen which might impede the successful outcome of the Rhodes talks, I referred to the Acting Mediator's recent and encouraging messages, which confirmed our hopes for results from this conference.

3. Eban's original instructions had been prompted by the opinion of his Government that if there was any possibility of United Kingdom forces being actively involved in Palestine, the Security Council should take action before rather than after the event. Eban stated that two teams of United Nations observers had been despatched to the Aqaba and Egyptian frontier areas. He said that Jewish forces have now been withdrawn entirely from Egyptian territory. In making this comment he pointed out that his Government has always considered unjust the unilateral nature of the complaints that Israeli troops were occupying Arab territory. His Government felt that Arab forces should equally be required to withdraw from Israeli territory. He added that some Arab forces were still occupying Israeli territory.

4. When the Security Council next meet, his Government is of the opinion that a decision should be reached upon the interpretation to be given to the ban on the importation of armed forces into the Middle East. He described as "eccentric" the United Kingdom view that only the countries directly involved in the Palestine war should be banned from importing troops. It would be the view of his Government that the Security Council resolution prohibits movement of troops of ail countries into the area. He pointed out that if the Security Council did not give such a ruling it might be possible for "other countries" (he obviously was referring to the U.S.S.R.) to introduce troops into the area.

5. Eban then addressing himself to me, in my capacity as Canadian representative, referred to the application of Israel for admission to the United Nations at the last session of the General Assembly. He asked me to advise you that his Government were thinking in terms of seeking General Assembly action by the end of April or May. He said that, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, it was likely the matter will have to come before the Security Council in February.

6. Concerning conditions in Palestine he informed us that feeling in Tel Aviv, both for psychological and economic reasons, was to end the conditions of war as soon as possible. This earnest desire for peace had its dangers, however. for, if an end to the fighting could not be brought about by peaceful means, the Israeli Government might be led to more drastic measures. He said that, at the time he left, truce talks between Trans-Jordan and Israel were proceeding apace and were being transformed into armistice discussions. In Jerusalem itself life had returned to normal. There has been direct contact for some time between military commanders and there are the beginnings of political contacts. Truce negotiations were begun in Paris during the General Assembly with Lebanon, and are continuing. Eban thought that it would be easy to reach agreement as the territory affected is [a] relatively small area and an adjustment of the Israeli-Lebanese frontier could probably be easily reached. To date all attempts to reach a truce with Iraq have been unsuccessful. Before the change in Government in Iraq United Nations and Israel's attempts to negotiate a truce were turned down. Eban expressed the hope that truce negotiations with Iraq could now be begun, as some 15,000 Iraqi troops are placed in a strategic part of Palestine and constitute a serious military threat to Israel.

7. He had been present in Tel Aviv when Canada had recognized Israel. He said that it had had a tremendous impact upon the Government and upon the people. He pointed out that, coming at the time it did, Canada's action will have a definite effect upon the elections which are to take place on or about the 25th of January. Canada's recognition, he said, counter-acts in some measure the influence of those political groups in Israel which favour orientation towards the countries of Eastern Europe.

8. In discussing the future of Arab Palestine he said that it was becoming increasingly evident how unrealistic it is to suppose that a separate Arab State can exist either from an economic or a political point of view. He thought it probable that Abdullah is correct in claiming that a majority of the Arabs in Palestine wanted union with Trans-Jordan.