U.S. Cannot Give Formal Guarantees to Israel on Akaba, Officials Say

Top-level U.S. official sources today disclosed a view that Israel must take a measure of risk in withdrawing from the Strait of Tiran in the Akaba area, because it will not be possible for the United States to formally spell out a guarantee like that sought by Israel. Israel has been seeking clarification of the U.S. proposals since they were made earlier this week by Secretary of State Dulles to Israel Ambassador Abba Eban.

Official circles said today the United States feels the success of the Eisenhower Doctrine hinges on early Israel withdrawal. The United States is doing its utmost to persuade Israel to withdraw. The United States feels its proposals are preferable, from Israel’s viewpoint, to anything that could be obtained from the United Nations.

However, the U.S. feels that care must be taken to prevent giving offense to Egypt, It is thought the Egyptians might tacitly accept the U.S. proposals if they are sufficiently non-commital and presented in the right way. It was explained here that the U.S. could give no assurances that would be binding without Egypt’s agreement. But the U.S. had confidence Egypt would ultimately agree.

Officials stressed that under no circumstances would the United States act under the proposals to use force against Egypt. No U.S. naval vessels would be used in the Gulf of Akaba. But it might be assumed, these sources said the U.S. could send an American freighter to Elath. In such event it is not expected Egypt would challenge America’s right.

If Egypt seeks to halt Israel ships in the gulf, the United States will refer the matter to the United Nations and rely on UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold. The current formula has been constructed in consultation with him and Egypt informed through him. The question of stationing United Nations Emergency Force units at the Tiran Strait would be up to Mr. Hammarskjold and the U.S. would look to him for an answer.

The problem of the Gaza Strip was defined as one that might be solved either by the UNEF or by expanding the UN Truce Supervisory Organization under Gen. E. L. M. Burns. In the U.S. view neither Israel nor Egypt really wants the Strip because of the responsibility for the Arab refugee inhabitants, but Israel has less right than Egypt.

It was stressed today that the U.S. sees no connection between the blockade of the Gulf of Akaba and the question of Israel maritime passage through the Suez Canal. According to the high sources here, Israel is essentially interested in Akaba Gulf as an alternative to Suez and is only using Suez as a talking point.

Egypt might want to take the Tiran Strait issue to the World Court for a final decision, the high officials said. For these reasons, it was explained it cannot be expected that the U.S. could offer Israel rigid guarantees.

Reports from Cairo received here today indicate that Egypt will insist on immediate Israel withdrawal from the Gaza and Akaba axas without any concessions whatsoever to Israel. An official source in Cairo said any assurances to Israel would be “an American slap in the face of the Arabs.”

The Egyptian Government newspaper said today the United Nations could give all the “assurances” it wants to Israel on Gaza and the Gulf of Akaba, but Egypt would not be bound by them. This expression of intent appeared in the newspaper “El Goumhouria” which closely reflects Egyptian President Nasser’s views.