Ottawa Herald in Ottawa, Kansas

Syria Israel meeting not deemed as likely

UNITED NATIONS AP Israel and Syria accepted U N Secretary General Thants appeal for an emergency meeting to ease border tensions but substantial obstacles remain. Thant urged agreement without delay on a limited agenda for the Israel Syria Mixed Armistice Commission meeting as reports of a major military buildup on both sides heighten the risk of wide scale fighting. Syrian Ambassador Tomeh said his government would attend without conditions while Israel’s Comay sought a defined agenda and said Israel would participate in principle. Israel F M Abba Eban tied participation to an end to shooting and bombing, and noted Israel has boycotted regular meetings over border sovereignty disputes. US officials voiced concern over ongoing violence and tense exchanges between the two states.