The Western Powers–United States, Britain and France–as well as a fourth member of the Security Council–Denmark–lent strong support today to a draft resolution submitted to the Council by New Zealand reaffirming a Council resolution of September, 1951, enjoining Egypt to comply with the Council’s writ.
The Lebanese delegate, who spoke exhaustively against the resolution when it was submitted on Tuesday, spoke again at today’s session, repeating Arab justifications of the Egyptian blockade. The Council adjourned debate on the resolution until next Monday afternoon.
In announcing American support of the New Zealand resolution, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., head of the American delegation, said that the parties concerned in the dispute had the duty to respect and to try to give effect to the combined judgment of the United Nations, whether represented in the General Assembly, the Security Council or other competent organs. Their desire to do so, he asserted, had not always been apparent. If the parties, disregarding the collective effort of the United Nations, “bring the house down upon themselves,” he warned, “it is they who will suffer most.”
Sir Pierson Dixon, head of the British delegation, favored addition of a paragraph to the resolution fixing a time limit for Egyptian compliance by calling for renewed consideration by the Council within 90 days or so. He said, however, he would not press for this if it was considered necessary.
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