A possibility was seen here today that the Bat Galim case may be re-opened, with Great Britain pushing the issue, instead of Israel. This feeling persisted in United Nations circles even after Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold, in answer to a direct question on the matter, declared this morning that there is “nothing new” on the Bat Galim.
The Security Council ordered Egypt several months ago to return the seized Israel freighter Bat Galim to Israel. So far the vessel is still in Egyptian hands. Today, however, it became know that Mr. Hammarskjold had a visit yesterday from Sir Pierson Dixon, Britain’s permanent representative here. Sir Pierson’s visit was described officially as “routine,” but it was noted that the British delegate’s visit here followed Egypt’s blacklisting of two British ships and an Italian freighter for having called at Israel ports in the past.
Mr. Hammarskjold’s answer on the Bat Galim came at a general press conference where the Israel-Arab conflicts were referred to repeatedly. The Secretary General implied once again, as he did several weeks ago, that Maj. Gen. E. L. M. Burns, chief of staff of the UN Truce Supervision Organization in Palestine, may be asked to continue in that post beyond the termination of his one year tour of duty which ends June 30. Mr. Hammarskjold said on that point that while appointments are made for one year “there are always exceptions.”
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