Dr. Ralph J. Bunche, United Nations Undersecretary, will discuss with United Arab Republic officials at Cairo the recent Egyptian seizures of cargoes attempting to carry Israeli-originated cargoes through the Suez Canal.
Confirmation of the fact that such a discussion is on Dr. Buche’s agenda for his forthcoming visit to Cairo was received by government officials here today from the United Nations Secretariat in New York.
Late in February and early last month, Egypt halted two foreign ships, one flying the Liberian flag, another owned by a West German firm, and seized the cargoes carried in those vessels. The freighters had loaded the cargoes at Haifa and were bound for Oriental ports. Israel lodged a sharp complaint against these actions with the Security Council, but to date there has been no announcement about a UAR answer to that complaint.
Israeli officials hope that, during his visit to Cairo, Dr. Bunche will not only talk to Egyptian officials about stopping the practice of seizing cargoes originating in Israel. Officials anticipate also that Dr. Bunche might effect the release of the confiscated cargoes, and seek assurance that Egypt will not again resort to these practices, which Israel has called “piratical.”
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