SALVAGE PLANS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28157, 21 December 1956, Page 13

SALVAGE PLANS

Allied Fleet May Move

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.) PORT SAID, December 20.

The British and French salvage fleet, including two chartered German ships, is expected to leave for Tobruk tonight if no agreement is reached on its use to clear the Suez Canal.

A British naval spokesman said that two British ocean-going salvage vessels left Port Said yesterday as their work was completed. Some of the crews of the salvage fleet had given notice they were not prepared to stay to help clear the waterway after the British and French forces leave Egypt. They were unhappy about the degree of protection to be given to them after the Allied troops withdrew, the spokesman said. Some of the crews were concerned about Egyptian snipers, particularly in the first few days after the withdrawal, as w’ell as about the question of proper supplies. However, some men had volunteered to stay on if they were wanted. A channel had now been opened through the blockships at the Port Said end of the canal which would permit passage of the biggest ships, the spokesman said. However, until it was agreed that allied ships of types which the United Nations had not got. could deal with wrecks farther south, “we have got to be ready to move in either direction,” he said. Withdrawal plans of the British forces, meanwhile, were going smoothly and the defence perimeter yesterday shrank closer to the dockside evacuation area. The whole of Port Said, except for the dock area, is now under United Nations control and there is a buffer of about 2000 United Nations troops between the British and the Egyptians.

Mr Hammarskjold’s Plan From New York it was reported that Mr Hammarskjold. United Nations Secretary-General, stood fast today m refusing to allow British crews to man the six Admiralty salvage ships which he has requested should join the fleet to clear the Suez Canal, usually reliable sources said. He was understood, however, to have agreed to allow three British, officers to stay aboard each ship as “observers.” This was understood to be a concession, since, repeatedly, he had earlier suggested that no more than one or two officers should remain. Informants said that Mr Hammarskjold’s new plan was put to Sir Pierson Dixon, the British permanent representative, in an interview yesterday. ■ , . Sir Pierson Dixon was said to have immediately telephoned Mr Selwyn Lloyd, the British Foreign Secretary, for instructions. There was no word immediately on Mr Lloyd’s reaction.

Insurance On U.N. Force 'Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 19. British underwriters are helping to insure the United Nations police servicemen in Egypt for more than £BOOO each, the “Daily Mail” said today. Each man is covered on a personal accident policy. At the start, one of America’s insurance companies accepted from the United Nations the whole £48.000,000 risk for the 6000 men of the force. Then the American company approached a London broker to lay off some of it. Just how much British capital has been guaranteed remains the closest of secrets in the city. No-one connected with Lloyd’s would give details yesterday. The view of men in the deal is that it was just good business. It is understood that only if casualties among the United Nations force reached a certain figure would the London underwriters be called upon. • , • xu One figure being mentioned in the city is 50 casualties. Israeli Plan For Pipeline (Rec. 8 p.m.) JERUSALEM. Dec. 19. Israeli Foreign Ministry sources today confirmed that negotiations were going on for French aid for the projected laying of a 32-inch pipeline from Eilath on the Gulf of Akaba to the Mediterranean, by-passing the Suez Canal. Usually well-informed sources said that a high Israeli official was now conducting negotiations in Paris, and his report was awaited by the Israel’ Government.