HC Deb 30 May 1956 vol 553 cc236-9
47. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the proposals contained in the report of the Secretary General of the United Nations for dealing with the Israeli-Arab problem.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The Security Council met yesterday to begin consideration of Mr. HammarskjÖld's report. A draft resolution has been submitted by the United Kingdom representative endorsing Mr. HammarskjÖld's achievements and pointing out the way by which further progress can be made. The Council's discussion is continuing and I would prefer to say nothing more at this stage.

Mr. Henderson

Is it correct that full compliance with the Israeli-Arab Armistice Agreement has not yet been achieved, more especially as regards the establishment of the proposed observer posts and the granting of full freedom of movement to United Nations observers?

Mr. Lloyd

If the right hon. and learned Member will look at the Resolution we have tabled, he will see that the matter is dealt with. The first part of his supplementary question is covered by the preamble to the Resolution.

Mr. Henderson

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman answer my question with a yes or no? Is it not a fact that full compliance has not yet been achieved? Is it not a fact that the Governments concerned have failed to carry out promises given to the Secretary General?

Mr. Lloyd

If the right hon. and learned Member had listened to the Answer he would know that that is what the Resolution recites. A statement to that effect is in the preamble.

Mr. Nicholson

Is not the policy of the Government based on the assumption—I believe soundly based—that a settlement can never be arrived at by hoping to bring the two sides together round the table but must be suggested, if not imposed, from outside?

Mr. Lloyd

I think the mission of the Secretary-General was successful and is to be commended. That is the way in which he went from one side to the other and succeeded in working out practical steps. I think that is a more likely method to succeed at the moment than that of bringing the parties round the table.

Mr. Gaitskell

Whilst agreeing that the mission of the Secretary General was very valuable so far as it went, would the Foreign Secretary say a little more about the further steps he thinks should be taken to bring about a settlement, to which he referred in his original Answer?

Mr. Lloyd

I really think it would be better if the right hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members would study the Resolution we have tabled, debate on which began only yesterday. I think it might be better to let that debate proceed.

Mr. Gaitskell

Could it be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Mr. Lloyd

Certainly.

Following is final text of draft United Kingdom Resolution—

  1. (1) recalling its resolutions of 4 April 1956 and 11 August 1949;
  2. (2) having received the report of the Secretary General on his recent mission on behalf of the Security Council (DOC S/3596);
  3. (3) noting those passages of the report (Section III and Annexes I—IV) which refer to the assurances given to the Secretary General by all the parties to the Armistice Agreements unconditionally to observe the cease-fire;
  4. (4) noting that progress has been made towards the adoption of the specific measures set out in the third operative paragraph of the Security Council resolution of 4 April 1956;
  5. (5) noting, however, that full compliance with the General Armistice Agreements and with the Council's resolutions of 30 March 1955, 8 September 1955 and 19 January 1956 is not yet effected and that the measures called for in the third operative paragraph of its resolution of 4 April 1956 have been neither completely agreed upon nor put fully into effect;
  6. (6) conscious of the need to create conditions in which a peaceful settlement on a mutually acceptable basis of the dispute between the parties can be made;
  7. (7) believing that it will help to create such conditions if further progress is now made in consolidating the gains resulting from the Secretary General's mission and towards full implementation by the parties of the armistice agreements;
  8. (8) commends the Secretary General and the parties on the progress already achieved;
  9. (9) declares that the parties to the Armistice Agreements should speedily carry out the measures already agreed upon with the Secretary General and should co-operate with the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff to put into effect their further practical proposals, pursuant to the resolution of 4 April, with a view to full implementation of that resolution and full compliance with the Armistice Agreements;
  10. (10) declares that full freedom of movement of United Nations observers must be respected in all areas along the armistice demarcation lines in the demilitarised zones and in the defensive areas as defined in a general armistice agreement to enable them to fulfil their functions;
  11. (11) endorses the Secretary General's view that the re-establishment of full compliance with the Armistice Agreements represents a stage which has to be passed in order to make progress possible on the main issues between the parties;
  12. (12) requests the Chief of Staff to continue to carry out his observation of the cease-fire pursuant to the Security Council's resolution 239 of 11 August 1949 and to report to the Security Council whenever any action undertaken by one party to an armistice agreement constitutes a serious violation of that agreement or of the cease-fire which in his opinion requires immediate consideration by the Security Council;
  13. (13) calls upon the parties to the Armistice Agreements to take the steps necessary to carry out this resolution thereby increasing confidence and demonstrating their wish for peaceful conditions;
  14. (14) requests the Secretary General to continue his good offices with the parties and to report to the Security Council as appropriate.