There would be “trouble” along the Gaza Strip frontier and in the Akaba area leading to Israel’s port of Elath if it were not for the presence of the United Nations Emergency Force in those regions, Henry Cabot Lodge, chairman of the United States delegation, declared here tonight. He gave that evaluation of the situation in a statement marking the first anniversary of UNEF, which was created by the General Assembly exactly a year ago.
“Last year, at this time, “Mr. Lodge noted, “the world was in the middle of an unprecedented and highly dangerous crisis. The United Nations Emergency Force… made it possible for the attacking forces to withdraw. It has brought quiet to the Gaza Strip and to the Strait of Tiran. It has thus enabled the world to take a turn away from war.
“It is gratifying that, one year later, the areas patrolled by the United Nations Emergency Force are still quiet. I might add that, without the UNEF, it is clear, to me anyway, that once again there would be trouble.”
Mr. Lodge, in his statement, voiced warm congratulation to the General Assembly for creating UNEF to Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold and the Force commander, Maj. Gen, E. L.M. Bums for using “tact, wisdom and energy” in setting up the Force and directing its operations; and to the officers and men of the Force, whom the American wished “continued success in their vital work of keeping the peace.”
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