British Foreign Office Says Security Council Resolution is ‘balanced’ Document

The Foreign Office today defended the British-sponsored U.N. Security Council resolution on the Middle East which was adopted unanimously last month as a “balanced” document which states the principles on which a Middle East settlement should be based but “does not call. for Israeli withdrawal in advance of acceptable arrangements for Israel’s security.”

The Foreign Office statement was contained in a letter to the Board of Deputies of British Jews which had earlier expressed misgivings over certain provisions of the resolution. The letter stated in part:

“Israeli withdrawal is balanced by termination of all claims of states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every state in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries, free from threats or acts of force. Furthermore, the necessity for guaranteeing freedom of passage through international waterways is also specifically mentioned. The resolution states the principles on which a settlement should be based but it does not call for Israeli withdrawal in advance of acceptable arrangements to provide for Israel’s security in accordance with the balancing provisions.”

Postmaster-General Edward Short declared here today that while “relations between Britain and Israel took a dive last June, largely through misunderstandings,” Britain’s relations with Israel “are based on principles, unlike the relations of a Western European country that shall remain nameless.” Mr. Short, the keynote speaker at the annual luncheon of the Anglo-Israel Chamber of Commerce, and who served last month as Britain’s official representative at Balfour Day celebrations in Israel, was obviously referring to France.