Unloading of ‘cleopatra’ Starts Today; Nasser Adamant on Blockade

The unloading of the Egyptian vessel Cleopatra–which has been under 22 days of picketing by maritime labor here–will start tomorrow, as a result of a new State Department commitment, given to organized American labor during the weekend, promising that fresh steps will be taken by the United States Government to halt the blacklisting of American ships stopping at Israeli ports.

The 22 days of picketing, conducted by the Seafarers’ International Union and supported by the International Longshoremen’s Association, whose members refused to cross the picket line, started with the arrival of the Cleopatra in New York harbor on April 13.It was estimated here today that the picketing has cost the Egyptian owners of the vessel $44,000.

The formula to end the picketing was worked out in talks between Acting Secretary of State C.Douglas Dillon, Secretary of Labor James P. Mitchell, and Arthur J, Goldberg, general counsel of the AFL-CIO.The formal statement by Mr. Dillon of a declaration of principles “which actuate United States foreign policy affecting the American merchant marine” was largely are-statement of American opposition to Arab blacklisting and restrictions on freedom of the seas and freedom of access to foreign ports.

There was one specific new commitment, however, to the effect that the State Department would consult with the AFL-CIO and its maritime unions, the SIU and the ILA, on developments “affecting American vessels and seamen” in the Middle East,

(Press dispatches from Cairo reported today that United Arab Republic President Gamal Abdel Nasser has stated publicly that he has no intention of lifting the anti-Israeli blockade of the Suez Canal. He also denounced American Senators who had voted for a clause in the Mutual Security Bill, giving the President discretion to withhold foreign aid from countries that practice boycotts. In his address, Nasser spoke of American aid as help given “in the style of Cohen.”)

Paul Hall, president of the SIU, has warned, that picketing of Egyptian ships would be resumed if the State Department failed to produce “practical implementation” of its promises to investigate the union’s complaints about abuse of its members in Arab ports. Mr. Hall said his union would also hold the State Department to its promise to intensify diplomatic efforts to protect American ships and seamen against Arab discrimination.

EISENHOWER CONSULTED BY STATE DEPT. ON ANTI-BLOCKADE STATEMENT

For the first time in the long-simmering dispute over Arab blacklisting and boycotts against American shipping involved in trade or other contact with Israel, the State Department conceded publicly that American seamen had been harassed in Arab ports. The Dillon statement said that the State Department had “renewed” Its standing orders to consular officials to be on the alert to help in settling grievances of seamen and other American citizens.

The statement also promised that it would continue to “do what it can” to end Arab-imposed restrictions on movements of ships carrying American foreign-aid cargo, and it pledged that the State Department would do everything possible to protect American interests in foreign trade.

The key point of the declaration was the statement that the State Department would “undertake to investigate fully the grievances of the Seafarers’ International Union and, through appropriate diplomatic action with the foreign countries involved, to renew its efforts to assure freedom of the seas and to protect the interests of our shipping and seamen now being discriminated against by the Arab boycott and blacklisting policy.”

In a telegram to Mr. Hall asking that the pickets be withdrawn, George Meany, president of the AFL-CIO, said he felt that the “good trade union purposes” for which the picketing had been organized had been achieved. He urged the pickets be withdrawn on the strength of the “good faith assurance” given by the Administration.

The State Department declaration was not released until it was discussed with President Eisenhower. It had been discussed in general terms for two weeks by State Department officials and AFL-CIO representatives. Other points made in the State Department statement were:1. The. United States has said repeatedly, and again at the United Nations in September, that it favors freedom of transit through the Suez Canal for all nations; 2,It is Government policy to protest discriminatory actions against American firms, vessels and citizens, and the State Department “will continue to pursue, by all appropriate and effective means, every avenue whereby private American interests in international trade may be fully safeguarded and restored.”

3.The United States Government will not recognize or condone the Arab boycott; 4. Since February, the United States Navy has discontinued a ban against tankers which were, or might be, on the Arab blacklist, for charters to carry oil to naval bases.