467. Editorial Note
The first emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly convened at 5 p.m. on November 1 (its 562d plenary session), and the delegates proceeded to discuss the question considered by the United Nations Security Council during its two meetings (749 and 750) of October 30. After considerable discussion, Dulles introduced the text of a draft resolution, which reads as follows:
“The General Assembly,
“Noting the disregard on many occasions by parties to the Israel-Arab armistice agreements of 1949 of the terms of such agreements, and that the armed forces of Israel have penetrated deeply into Egyptian territory in violation of the General Armistice Agreement between Egypt and Israel of 24 February 1949,
“Noting that armed forces of France and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are conducting military operations against Egyptian territory,
“Noting that traffic through the Suez Canal is now interrupted to the serious prejudice of many nations,
[Page 933]“Expressing its grave concern over these developments,
- “1. Urges as a matter of priority that all parties now involved in hostilities in the area agree to an immediate cease-fire and, as part thereof, halt the movement of military forces and arms into the area;
- “2. Urges the parties to the armistice agreements promptly to withdraw all forces behind the armistice lines, to desist from raids across the armistice lines into neighbouring territory, and to observe scrupulously the provisions of the armistice agreements;
- “3. Recommends that all Member States refrain from introducing military goods in the area of hostilities and in general refrain from any acts which would delay or prevent the implementation of the present resolution;
- “4. Urges that, upon the cease-fire being effective, steps be taken to reopen the Suez Canal and restore secure freedom of navigation;
- “5. Requests the Secretary-General to observe and report promptly on the compliance with the present resolution to the Security Council and to the General Assembly, for such further action as they may deem appropriate in accordance with the Charter;
- “6. Decides to remain in emergency session pending compliance with the present resolution.” (U.N. doc. A/3256)
The meeting then adjourned at 7:40 p.m. (U.N. doc. A/PV.561)
The General Assembly resumed its discussion at 9:50 p.m. that evening and after 5 hours of debate adopted the U.S. draft as General Assembly Resolution 997 (ES–I) by a vote of 64 in favor, 5 opposed, and 6 abstentions. During the discussion which followed, Lester Pearson explained that his government had abstained on the resolution, because it lacked two elements. Pearson noted that the resolution did not provide for any steps to be taken by the United Nations to bring a peace settlement to the area, and he affirmed his preference for a resolution which would have authorized the Secretary-General to begin making arrangements for a U.N. force of sufficient size to keep peace along the contested borders while a political settlement was being made. During his turn to speak, Secretary Dulles expressed his complete agreement with Pearson and added that the United States would be very happy if the Canadian Delegation would formulate and introduce a concrete proposal along the lines suggested by Pearson. After additional discussion, the plenary session adjourned at 4:20 a.m., November 2. (U.N. doc. A/PV.562) For text of Dulles’ remarks made while submitting the draft resolution, see Department of State Bulletin, November 12, 1956, pages 751–755; or United States Policy in the Middle East, September 1956–June 1957, pages 151–157.
The procès-verbaux of this and other meetings of the first emergency special session of the General Assembly are printed in United Nations, Official Records of the General Assembly, First Emergency Special Session, 1–10 November 1956, Plenary Meetings and Annexes.