PROPOSALS BY SOVIET

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28051, 20 August 1956, Page 11

PROPOSALS BY SOVIET

“Large Conflict” Warning LONDON, August 17. Russia today warned Britain and Fr nce that attempts to solve the Suez Canal crisis by force could result in a “large conflict” —possibly spreading beyond the Middle East. The Soviet Foreign Minister (Mr Dimitri Shepilov) delivered the warning at the Suez conference in London. Mr Shepilov, referring to the military precautions taken by Britain and France, said that attempts to force plans on Egypt for international operation of the canal would mean violation of peace in the Near and Middle East. He said: “One cannot fail to see that such violation would not be limited to a local conflict in the area of the Suez Canal. It can flame into a large conflict which could cover the area of'the Near and Middle East and possibly go outside those limits.” He answered a plan for international operation of the canal, sponsored by the United States with British and French support, with proposals of his own. His main points were that Egypt should assume obligations to take ab measures necessary for free navigation along the canal, while any acceptable principles emerging from the present conference could be considred by a broader “representative” aeeting like that proposed by Egypt. Peaceful Means Mr Shepilov said that an equitable settlement should be reached by peaceful means, in conformity with international law and the principles ol the United Nations. Full account should be taken ol the "inalienable rights” of Egypt and of the importance to world commerce and communications of the canal tc the many States which use it and arc interested in the maintenance of free navigation, he said. The parties to the 1888 convention guaranteeing free passage of the canal should reaffirm their obligation not to resort to actions which could infringe the inviolability of the canal, or inflict material damage to its installations.

In accordance with the convention, the canal should never be a theatre of military operations, and no a*t of hostility or blockade should be committed.

Mr Shepilov said the question ol developing international co-operation on matters connected with free navigation could be discussed with Egypt. “The Soviet Government is of the opinion that with such an approach to the question of measures to assure the freedom of navigation, it could be possible to find a settlement acceptable to all the States concerned, and to assure securely the interests cl peace and security in the area ol the Near and Middle East,” he said

In another speech at today’s session, Mr Hamidul Haq Choudhury. the Pakistan Foreign Minister, suggested that “an effective machinery Le set up in active collaboration with Egypt to ensure the efficient, unlettered and continuous freedom of navigation to all nations without discrimination, while at the same time the legitimate interests of Egypt should be fully protected.”

A committee should be set up to negotiate with Egypt on the basis of this proposal, and should report back to the conference, Mr Choudhury said. He said that Egypt’s nationalisation must be accepted as an accomplished fact.

Mr Robert Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister, strongly supported the Western plan for international management of the canal.

Before the sessiori. President Nasser’s special envoy in London, Wing Commander Aly Sabry. had meetings with Mr V. Krishna Menon. India’s chief delegate, Mr Choudhury, Sir Claude Corea, of Ceylon, and Mr Gaetano Martino, the Italian Foreign Minister.

Mr Menon is making active backstage attempts through Wing Commander Sabry and delegates at the conference to reach a settlement of the crisis acceptable f o both sides.

There were also talks outside the conference room between Mr Lloyd, Mr John Foster Dulles, the American Secretary of State, and Mr Christian Pineau, the French Foreign Minister. Mr Dulles had called on Mr Shepilov at the Soviet Embassy earlier, and Mr Lloyd and other British delegates later had lunch with the Soviet Minister.

An American source said today’s session was marked by a “good spirit.” Mr Menon is expected to address the conference on its resumotion on Monday—all other delegation leaders have now spoken—and after that the talks would be “a tidying up process,” the American source said.