THANT CUTS SHORT CAIRO MISSION

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31379, 26 May 1967, Page 11

THANT CUTS SHORT CAIRO MISSION

Security Council Likely To Await Return (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) ' ' r NAPLES, May 25. ~ The United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant, was expected back at his New York headquarters later today, making it virtually certain that the Security Council would delay any further meeting on the Middle East until it had a first-hand report from U Thant on his peace mission to Cairo. The Secretary-General’s decision to cut short his visit to the United Arab Republic capital was made known last night shortly after the council adjourned indefinitely its debate on the crisis. It is now expected to meet tomorrow.

There was no indication whether U Thant had achieved any progress in restoring calm to the troubled situation between Israel and the Arab countries. The Security Council adjourned its debate indefinitely last night after Communist, Asian and African delegates delivered a rebuff to Western efforts to ease the threat to peace in the area. Delegates of Russia, India, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mali and Bulgaria all announced their refusal to join in backstage discussions. Canada had called for the discussions to try to get a unanimous vote in the Security Council on a joint Cana-dian-Danish resolution calling on the council to back U Thant’s mission to Cairo. Major points in the debate were: A Russian demand for the American and British fleets to get out of the Mediterranean where they now were “one of the most serious sources of Middle East tension.” An American offer to join in talks with the other big four Powers—Britain, France and the Soviet Union—to try to settle the crisis. An Egyptian charge that the Canadian-Danish resolution calling for support for U Thant’s mission was an attempt to “sabotage” U Thant’s mission. U thant was last night said to be “highly disturbed” at the convening in his absence of the United Nations Security Council session. Sources close to U Thant said he had commented that it would have been better to have waited for his return from his critical trip to Cairo. U Thant’s displeasure was reported, as he held his first talks with President Nasser to discuss a peace formula based on creation of a revamped Egyptian-Israeli mixed Armistice Commission in an Uth-hour effort to bead off war in the Middle East. The meeting lasted two hours. Tired And Grim United Press international reported the SecretaryGeneral looked “tired and grim” when he returned from the meeting to his hotel room. U.PJ. also said that curtailment of U Thant’s mission gave rise to speculation that he had failed to change President Nasser’s attitude to Israel. Highly-qualified sources said the Armistice Commission envisaged by U Thant would be under United Nations’ supervision and would be similar to the one which was dissolved in 1956 after Israel’s refusal to participate. According to A.P., Egyptian sources said Egypt would be willing to endorse establishment of such a mixed commission. There appeared to be no chance, however, that President Nasser would go back on his critical decision to bar the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli shipping. ‘Ships Searched’ It was reported in Cairo that Egyptian officials had searched two German ships before allowing them through the Gulf of Aqaba—so implementing President Nasser’s decision to block the supply of strategic materials to Israel.

The authoritative newspaper “Al Ahram” said the search was carried out yesterday. It

did not say whether East or West German ships were involved, or exactly where the check was made.

“Al Ahram” reported that the UA.R. Minister of War (Mr Shamseddin Badran) yesterday told the Cabinet that U.A.R. had accepted an Algerian offer to send forces to join the Egyptian Army. A force of 20,000 Saudi Arabian troops was reported to have crossed into Jordan today and taken up positions near the Gulf of Aqaba within sight of the blockaded Israeli port of Eilat, United Press International reported. Informed sources said Jordan agreed to allow Iraqi troops to enter Jordanian territory as the desert kingdom prepared for a possible dash with Israel.

The Jordanian King Hussein went on Amman Radio to plead for Arab unity against Israel.

In a speech marking the twenty-second anniversary of

Jordanian independence, King Hussein said Arab states should forget their differences “at least for the time being.” Jordan this week severed diplomatic relations with Syria blaming Syria for a border explosion that killed 14 persons last Sunday. Informed sources said the 20,000 Saudi Arabian troops moved into the critical triangle at the northern end of the gulf of Aqaba where the borders of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia come together. The Saudi forces were said to have moved into positions near the Jordanian port of Aqaba, which is within a few minutes speedboat distance from Eilat, Israel’s main lifeline to the east and south through the Gulf of Aqaba to the Red Sea. Mock air raids were held in the Jordanian sector of Jerusalem and other towns close to the Israeli border.

There was also a mock air raid in Cairo. Bakers were told to stock up with at least three months’ supplies of flour. The Jordanian Military Command mobilised youth organisations to assist in civil defence. '

Arab troops were moving toward Israel’s borders as the Arab bloc pledged support for a possible confrontation with Israel.

In addition to the Saudi and Iraqi movements into Jordan, Kuwait agreed to send some forces to Egypt

Syrian Troops Move

Reliable reports from Syria said Iraqi infantry troops were moving into Syria to strengthen the armed forces of Damascus. Lebanon ordered all former soldiers to report to local army headquarters on Thursday and Friday. Persia’s Oil

A Persian ■ Government spokesman meanwhile, today denied that Persia was selling oil to Israel. Egypt yesterday asked Saudi Arabia and Jordan to request Persia to stop supplying Israel with oil. A consortium of British, Dutch, French and 14 American oil companies run Persia’s oil industry. Under an agreement signed in 1954 they handle the exploration, exploitation, shipping and marketing of Persian oil on a world-wide basis and pay Persia a share of the profits.

Informed sources said Persia did not interfere with any shipping or marketing arrangements made by the consortium.

But in Cairo yesterday the Foreign Ministry undersecretary, Mr Mohammed Hassan al-Zayyat, said Egypt would not accept the pretext that Persia had no control over her oil after it left the country.