Egypt and The Lebanon voiced strong opposition today in the Security Council to a draft resolution, submitted by New Zealand, calling on Egypt to comply with a Security Council resolution of Sept. 1, 1951 enjoining her to cease interference with Israel-bound shipping through the Suez Canal.
The resolution, which reportedly has the approval of the Big Three Western Powers, notes “with grave concern” Egypt’s failure to comply with the 1951 resolution and calls upon Egypt, ” in accordance with its obligations under the Charter, to comply therewith.” With reference to the Israeli complaint of interference by Egypt with shipping in the Gulf of Akaba bound for the Israel port of Eilath, the resolution declares the complaint should be referred, in the first instance, to the Israel-Egypt Mixed Armistice Commission.
In moving the resolution, Leslie Knox Munro, New Zealand representative, charged that Egypt’s degree of non-compliance with the Security Council order was “not nominal but substantial” and insisted that this issue of non-compliance was the central issue. He said that Egypt’s claim of a state of belligerency had been specifically denied by the Security Council in 1951. He also charged that Egypt, “with every appearance of deliberation, ” had ignored the Security Council’s injunctions, and declared that no border grievances could justify “a continuing breach” of the Council’s resolution affirming freedom of passage through the Suez Canal.
The Egyptian delegate, Dr. Mohamed Azmi, repeated Egypt’s claim that her blockade was justified by an existing state of belligerency, Dr. Charles Malik of The Lebanon, was interrupted by the chairman, Selim Sarper of Turkey, in the midst of a long discourse when he made the “announcement” that as a result of Israel’s action in walking out of the Mixed Armistice Commission in Jerusalem today, the Arabs feared that “Israel might strike somewhere in the Arab world. “
Consideration of the New Zealand resolution will be resumed by the Council next Thursday.
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