State Department spokesman Lincoln White expressed hope today that the Israel-bound Danish ship Brigitte Tofts clearance through the Suez Canal would form a pattern for future unrestricted navigation of the canal. He said the U.S. Government hopes there will be no more difficulties for any ships using the canal, including those under Israeli charter.
Mr. White also said that the United States welcomes the Egyptian decision to accept the jurisdiction of the World Court with respect to any dispute arising out of operation of the Suez Canal. Egypt yesterday notified the Secretary General of the United Nations that it accepts the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice with regards to the Egyptian declaration covering the operation of the Suez Canal of April 2, 1957.
The acceptance will be on the basis of reciprocity, the letter of Mahmoud Fawzi, Foreign Minister, pointed out. Arab circles interpret this to mean that only if Israel would agree to compulsory jurisdiction of The Hague Court, Cairo would be willing to have the court adjudicate its dispute with Israel over the use of the Suez Canal.
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