Robert Murphy, Deputy Under Secretary of State, declared tonight that “Israel had some very legitimate and genuine concerns for its own secretary, particularly regarding free passage through the Strait of Tiran and the danger of renewed fedayeen raids from the Gaza Strip.’ He spoke at Georgetown University here.
Mr. Murphy stressed that “the Arab-Israel issue has been a United Nations problem from its very beginning.” He said the United States was hopeful the UN would remain the forum. He revealed that “there is earnest consideration being given” under a United Nations resolution of February 2 to authorizing the UNEF “to act as a deterrent to the resumption of hostilities and as a means of tranquilizing the area while new approaches are sought toward an eventual settlement.”
The UNEF under its present authority has a limited mission: to oversee the withdrawal of British, French and Israeli forces from Egypt, and it is in Egypt with the agreement of the Egyptian Government,” he said. This “phase” of its mission was largely completed, he stated.
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