From The Hindu Archives, March 2, 1976 | Arafat suggests UN buffer zone in Israeli-held area

Washington, Feb. 29: Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) leader Mr. Yasser Arafat has proposed the creation of United Nations buffer zone in Israeli occupied Arab territory as a step to a West Asian peace conference and recognition of Israel’s right to exist. The Washington Post newspaper reported today.

It said he put the proposal to Democratic Senator, Mr. Adlai Stevenson during the Senator’s recent tour of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Israel.

According the proposal, the U.N. would take over the occupied areas except for parts of the Gaza strip and the west bank of Jordan adjoining Israel. These adjoining parts will be administered jointly by Israel and the U.N. the newspaper said.

The newspaper said Mr. Arafat indicated to Senator Stevenson that if Israel made that first move it could break the deadlock that has held up resumption of West Asian peace talks in Geneva.

The Post said that according to Senator Stevenson, who met the PLO leader in Beirut and took his proposal to the Israeli and U.S. Governments, the Israelis showed little interest in the suggestion. — Reuter