51. Editorial Note
On January 31, Ambassador Lodge reported to the Department of State further revisions in draft resolution II, this time to meet suggestions offered by the Indian Government. (Delga 629 from USUN, January 31; Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/1–3157) The next day, after one final change was made in the text of resolution II, the Governments of Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Norway, the United States, and Yugoslavia submitted the two resolutions to the General Assembly. (Delga 639 from USUN, February 1; ibid., 674.84A/2–157; U.N. docs. A/3517 and A/3518, respectively)
The General Assembly discussed the two draft resolutions on February 2 at its 650th, 651st, and 652d meetings and adopted the two drafts without change as Resolutions 1124 (XI) and 1125 (XI) by a vote of 74 in favor, 2 opposed (Israel and France), and 2 abstentions (Luxembourg and the Netherlands), and 56 in favor, none opposed, and 22 abstentions, respectively. Those abstaining on the second resolution were: Syria, Tunisia, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Yemen, Albania, Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, France, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, and the Sudan. The texts of the two resolutions read as follows:
I
Resolution 1124 (XI)
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 997 (ES–I) of 2 November 1956, 998 (ES–I) and 999 (ES–I) of 4 November 1956, 1002 (ES–I) of 7 November 1956, 1120 (XI) of 24 November 1956 and 1123 (XI) of 19 January 1957,
- 1.
- Deplores the non-compliance of Israel to complete its withdrawal behind the armistice demarcation line despite the repeated requests of the General Assembly;
- 2.
- Calls upon Israel to complete its withdrawal behind the armistice demarcation line without further delay.
II
Resolution 1125 (XI)
The General Assembly,
Having received the report of the Secretary-General of 24 January 1957 (A/3512),
[Page 79]Recognizing that withdrawal by Israel must be followed by action which would assure progress towards the creation of peaceful conditions,
- 1.
- Notes with appreciation the Secretary-General’s report and the measures therein to be carried out upon Israel’s complete withdrawal;
- 2.
- Calls upon the Governments of Egypt and Israel scrupulously to observe the provisions of the General Armistice Agreement between Egypt and Israel of 24 February 1949;
- 3.
- Considers that, after full withdrawal of Israel from the Sharm el-Sheikh and Gaza areas, the scrupulous maintenance of the Armistice Agreement requires the placing of the United Nations Emergency Force on the Egyptian-Israel armistice demarcation line and the implementation of other measures as proposed in the Secretary-General’s report, with due regard to the considerations set out therein with a view to assist in achieving situations conducive to the maintenance of peaceful conditions in the area;
- 4.
- Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the parties concerned, to take steps to carry out these measures and to report, as appropriate, to the General Assembly.
Ambassador Lodge addressed the General Assembly on the question of Israeli withdrawal on January 28 and February 2. For text of his remarks, see Department of State Bulletin, February 18, 1957, pages 270–271, and February 25, 1957, pages 325–328; or United States Policy in the Middle East, September 1956–June 1957, pages 271–276.