Israeli circles reiterated here today that there had, indeed, been an “understanding” between United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold and United Arab Republic President Gamal Abdel Nasser about the transit through the Suez Canal of non-Israeli ships carrying Israeli-originated cargoes under certain circumstances.
Mr. Hammarskjold, at a press conference last Thursday, had asserted flatly “there has never been any agreement.” declaring that “all parties”–meaning Israel as well as the UAR–know there was no “agreement.”
Circles here called attention to the difference between the words “agreement” and “understanding,” pointing out that “agreement” could mean a formal document signed by both parties. They conceded there may have been no such formal document, but insisted they were told there was “understanding” on the issue.
They said they “were given to understand” that, after visiting Nasser, Hammarskjold had reason to believe that the UAR would permit Suez Canal transit for Israel-made goods if such goods had been purchased f. o. b. Haifa. The Greek freighter Astypalea, which the Egyptian authorities halted in the Suez Canal last December, and which was forced to unload its cargo in Egypt, had carried Israel goods purchased f. o. b. Haifa.
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