Britain Wants U. N. to Maintain Civil and Military Control of Gaza

British Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd today told the British Parliament that Britain believes that no country has sovereignty over the Gaza territory and that it must be governed by the United Nations. He noted that since it had failed to solve the Arab-Israel problem, the UN must now take over military and civil administration of Gaza. Such action would aid the refugees and bring the UN into the area in a positive role.

The Foreign Secretary expressed some disquiet over the lack of clarity in the UN’s role in the Gaza area. He underlined various statements by UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold, including the latter’s reports of Egyptian attitude, which clearly indicated UN’s readiness to take over the Gaza Strip for administrative purposes in the beginning. He reported that Under Secretary Ralph Bunche had denied statements attributed to him that the UN would “cooperate” with an Egyptian administration in the Gaza Strip.

In reference to the Akaba waterway, Mr. Lloyd expressed the view, which Britain holds in common with other maritime nations, that the Strait of Tiran and the Gulf of Akaba are international waters. Under direct questioning from Laborites, he refused to say whether Britain would send a warship through the Strait if Egypt resumes its blockade of the channel.

FOREIGN SECRETARY URGES REVISIONS IN ARAB-ISRAEL BORDERS

The British Foreign Secretary reiterated his view that the borders of Israel must be redrawn in more “sensible” fashion. In response to queries from the Labor benches, including some sharp questioning from Aneurin Bevan, Mr. Lloyd declared: “I believe that anyone who has seen the (demarcation) line will agree that the present frontiers are presense. Anyone who has made the journey from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will realize that there cannot be permanent peace with the present demarcation line.

“I have been careful,” he continued, “not to indicate the nature of the compromise. There must be a compromise and these frontiers must be redrawn,” the Foreign Secretary insisted. “I certainly do not want to rouse fears. I want to arouse some hope of a permanent settlement and I think that both sides have got to realize you won’t get peace unless the State of Israel has more sensible frontiers.”

Mr. Bevan immediately accused the Foreign Secretary of arousing Arab expectation and Israeli fears. He asserted that both sides of the House expect that the “Israelis act of courageous faith (in withdrawing from Gaza and Akaba) will not be unrequited.” Mr. Bevan warned against allowing Premier David Ben Gurion “who took his political life in his hands in persuading his countrymen to retreat” be faced “with what can only be described as an act of faithlessness on the part of those who persuaded him.”