French Ambassador M. Herve Alphand told the National Press Club today that France thinks the Suez Canal has to be open without discrimination to ships of any flag “including the Israel flag.”
Mr. Alphand said France supported Israel’s Suez rights at the United Nations, He noted that the Soviet Union vetoed a U.N. measure on Israel’s right to use the Canal. Citing Soviet First Deputy Premier Mikoyan’s statement of this week indicating support of Israel on Canal usage, Mr. Alphand said France would welcome such a development.
In his address, Mr. Alphand made clear that France insists on a Suez settlement providing for “sanctions” in case Egypt discriminates in its operation of the Canal.
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