A British spokesman expressed the hope today that the Eisenhower-Macmillan talks which open here tomorrow will make a positive contribution in the Middle East situation. “We hope that the ‘Bermuda talks of 1957’ will mark the turn of the tide in the Middle East,” the spokesman stated.
It is understood that Prime Minister Macmillan, who arrived here today, will seek to impress on President Eisenhower the need to:
Act more firmly against Egyptian belligerence; refuse to appease the Arab states at Israel’s expense; insist on free passage of all ships, including Israeli vessels, through the Gulf of Akaba; prevent Egypt from using blackmail with regard to Suez Canal passage, and take into consideration, in its policy planning, that the Arab-Israel issue has a slim chance of achieving a satisfactory solution through the United Nations because of the hamstringing activities of the Afro-Asian and Soviet blocs.
A joint statement outlining Anglo-American policy in relation to these questions is expected to be issued at the end of the four-day top-level parley.
(In London, a Foreign Office spokesman said that UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold will maintain constant communication from the Middle East with the conferees in Bermuda.)
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