THE WATERS OF JORDAN
SIR,—Your correspondent in Cairo, Desmond Stewart, says that the Arab States maintain 'they are in a technical state of war [with Israel] and this state of war can only be ended by their agreement.' In point of fact, this is not true, because the UN- sponsored Armistice Agreements of 1949 between Israel and her Arab neighbours of Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon clearly lay down the 'condi- tions of a truce,' envisaging the ultimate conclusion of peace agreements. For the Arab States to deny this is a unilateral breach of these specifically- designated Armistice Agreements.
The 'Gandhian scheme' to muster unarmed refugees on Israel's borders, who would then 'be directed to- wards their long-lost fields' would not be truly Gandhian if unaccompanied by any desire to engage in direct negotiations to settle outstanding problems. As a journalist in India during Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent non-co-operation movement, I could not fail to be impressed by his willingness at all times to engage in talks—and this he stressed was a cardinal factor in his technique of non-violence.
P. S. GOURGEY
4 Poplar Court, Richmond Road, East Twickenham, Middlesex
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