RUSSIAN DEMAND

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28128, 17 November 1956, Page 11

RUSSIAN DEMAND

Territory Of Egypt

(Rec. 12.10 a.m.)

NEW YORK, November 16. Soviet demands that Egypt be restored the territory she had before her invasion promptly toughened the peacekeeping task today facing the United Nations SecretaryGeneral, Mr Hammarskjold, and the Middle East police force, the American Associated Press reported from London. The renewed Russian backing was considered certain to stiffen Egypt’s position on the role of the international force, which already runs directly counter to the firm stands taken by Britain. France and Israel. Mr Hammarskjold was left with the staggering job of trying tn find some compromise, the report said. Before leaving Italy, Mr Hammarskiold would say nothing about his plans in Egypt. He declined to talk to reporters before boarding his plane. “That’s not necessary now.” he told an aide. Russia’s latest move in the Middle East crisis came in the form of Notes from Marshal Bulganin to the Prime Ministers of Britain. France and Israel The Notes demanded that the three countries pull their troops out of Egypt immediately, that Egypt be paid by the three nations for material losses suffered in the invasion and that the United Nations police force be restricted to positions along the 1949 Israeli-Egyptian armistice lines. He said that the police force should not be stationed in the Suez Cana! Zone. Except for the question of compensation, which Egypt had not raised, these demands, fell wholly in line with Egypt's position.