Leslie Knox Munro of New Zealand, president of the United Nations Security Council, today summoned the Council for another meeting. Thursday to continue discussions suspended a week ago on Israel’s grievance against Egypt’s illegal blockade of the Suez Canal, and Egypt’s refusal thus far to release the freighter Bat Galim.
It is understood that talks have been going on behind the scenes during the last week between leading Western delegations here and the Israel and Egyptian delegations. Egypt suggested last week that it would accept a recommendation that a subcommittee of the Israel-Egypt Mixed Armistice Commission take custody of the Bat Galim. Since last week’s Council meeting, Israel has made it clear that it would not accept the subcommittee idea, if any delegation proposed it formally.
The fact that a meeting of the Council has been set definitely is taken here as an indication that members of the Council–probably led by Britain, France and the United States–are planning some definite action. Behind the scenes talks, however, are still continuing.
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