Britain Taking Initiative at U. N. on Israel-egypt Crisis

Britain was reported today to be taking the initiative at the United Nations in working out some kind of “action” to be taken by the United States, Britain and France, in conjunction with UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold and Palestine truce chief Maj. Gen. E. L. M. Burns to ease the current Israel-Egyptian situation.

The British feel more “practical steps” are needed to cope with the dangerous situation in the Nitzana–El Auja–demilitarized zone. The British are said to feel that rather something along the lines of strengthening the Tripartite Declaration of 1950 is required.

The British spokesman definitely ruled out a meeting of the Security Council at this time on the Israel-Egyptian problem, expressing the opinion that such a session could only exacerbate the political situation and delay “beneficial action.”

Israel formally protested to the Security Council today against Egypt’s “invasion and continued occupation” of the demilitarized zone at Nitzana (El Auja) on the Israel side of the frontier. It called Egypt’s action a “clear and unequivocal violation” of the armistice agreement, of a cease-fire arranged by the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization September 4, and “of the explicit assurances given by the Government of Egypt” to the Truce Supervision Organization’s Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. E.L.M. Burns, before his departure for consultations here ten days ago.

According to the Israel letter, Egypt has been asked on four separate occasions since October 26, by Gen. Burns’ deputy, to withdraw its troops from the demilitarized zone. Gen. Burns has informed Israel representatives here, the letter stated, of the rejection of his own appeals to the Egyptian Government.