Atlanta Daily World

UN Official Asks New Pledges Against Bloodshed

UNITED NATIONS, N. Y.-(INS) Dag Hammarskjold called Wednesday for new pledges by Egypt and Israel to avert bloodshed on their frontiers once all Israeli troops are withdrawn from Egyptian territory.

The Secretary General, at the same time, indicated a continuing role for the U. N. Emergency force under Maj Gen. E. L. M. Burns in future efforts to restore lasting peace to the Arab-Israeli frontiers, beyond UNEF's original duty of policing the cease-fire.

Hammarskjold, reporting to the General Assembly on Israel's compliance with U. N. edicts for a full evacuation from Egypt, asked the 80-nation forum to give "urgent attention" to all aspects of the Middle East problem, including past U. N. resolutions on the question.

While Hammarskjold refrained from going into details, informed sources said he has in mind the question of free navigation for all ships - including Israeli - through the Suez Canal and the dispute over the waterway's nationalization.

The Afro-Asian bloc meanwhile watered down a resolution which would have condemned Israel and imposed economic sanctions against it for the delay in withdrawing from Egypt and the Gaza Strip.

The resolution, which calls on Israel to complete its evacuation within five days, was revised after a majority of U. N. diplomats displayed reluctance toward recommending harsh punitive measures.

Hammarskjold proposed that both sides reaffirm pledges to discontinue the bloody frontier incidents and to cooperate with the U. N. truce supervisory organization in its efforts to maintain peace. He said such pledges could be solicited from the two parties after the Israeli withdrawal is assured.

Under the 1949 Armistice agreement, the Arabs and Israelis are sworn to avoid hostilities on their borders or raids and incursions by either side.

Despite this, border attacks and armed infiltrations have occurred repeatedly.

A U. S. spokesman meanwhile attacked Israel's demolition of military installations in the Sinai Desert as a violation of the cease-fire. He said the U. S. considers the Gulf of Aqaba, leading to the Israeli port of Elath, as an international waterway and under international law.

The spokesman added: "The United States considers that Israel built up no effective bargaining power by putting itself in contravention of the armistice agreements and assembly resolutions."

The U. N. chief stressed the need for the complete withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Egypt before steps can be taken toward constructive solution of outstanding Middle East problems. He said Israel has informed him that it will evacuate the Sinai Peninsula by Jan. 22, except for Sharma El-Sheikh on the Gulf of Aqaba, but indicated he expects a withdrawal from there also.

Hammarskjold said the Israelis have remained "silent" about their intentions in the Gaza Strip.