S/PRS files, lot 77 D 9
No. 695
Department of State Press
Release1
The United States Government has the deepest sympathy for the families of those who lost their lives in and near Qibya during the recent attack by Israeli forces. The shocking reports which have reached the Department of State of the loss of lives and property involved in this incident convince us that those who are responsible should be brought to account and that effective measures should be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
The United States Government has been increasingly concerned at the mounting tension along the frontier between Israel and the neighboring Arab states. It is for this reason that it initiated the recommendation and subsequently, in concert with the British and French Governments, decided to request the Security Council to consider, at the earliest possible date, the situation on the frontiers, to include a direct report by General Vagn Bennike, Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization.
- The Department transmitted the text of this statment on the Qibya incident in priority telegram 2096 to London, Oct. 18, 4:56 p.m., sent also priority to Paris, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Cairo, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Baghdad. The record copy of the telegram indicates that the text of the release was cleared with Under Secretary Smith. (684A.85/10–1853)↩