Egypt Invited To Reconsider Suez

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28284, 23 May 1957, Page 13

Egypt Invited To Reconsider Suez

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 21. The United Nations Security Council left the way open tonight for Egypt to consider “concrete steps” which would remove doubts about her announced terms for operating the nationalised Suez Canal. Summing up two days of debate, the Council President, Mr Lodge (United States), said that the Cairo Government would presumably wish as soon as possible to examine the points raised in the council. Meanwhile, member Governments would undoubtedly be guided in their diplomatic action, and the users would be 'guided in their practical action, by the views expressed and by the Egyptian response to a number of questions which had been asked, Mr Lodge said. His summing upthe alternative to a formal resolution—was the climax to a session called at the request of the French Cabinet which sent its Foreign Minister, Mr Christian Pineau, to New York to plead France’s case.

Mr Pineau sat placidly at his desk in the council chamber listening to the French translation of Mr Lodge’s statement while news wires were carrying Paris reports of the defeat of the French Government. Before the adjournment, Mr Lodge made i* clear that the council remained “seized” of the Suez question and would be “in a position to resume its deliberations to hear further from the representative of Egypt or when other developments make it desirable.” There was no immediate indication when Egypt’s answers would be ready or when the council might meet again on Suez. Earlier in the debate Australia gave solid backing to the BritishFrench stand on Suez, declaring that any final settlement must provide a full reflection of the council’s October resolution and the six principles adopted then. Dr. Ronald Walker (Australia) told the council that meanwhile it should not recognise Egypt’s April 24 declaration as providing a final settlement. Transcripts of the council proceedings were being sent to Cairo for study there, while delegations looked to ColoneJ Nasser for the “concrete steps ... to remove the doubts which have arisen,” to which Mr Lodge referred. The next session on Suez was left open, and there was no indication when this might be. The council will, however, meet again tomorrow—this time to debate Syria's complaint against Israel about the construction of a Bailey bridge near the border between the two countries. The Syrians say it has military value.