Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-13
Arab League Supports
Nosser in Suez Dispute
Continued From First Page


Continued From First Page
tian counter-plan closely The
first official reaction was that
the London conference will be
held as planned without Egypt
and Greece, the only two coun-
tries of the "a invited to decline
to attend.
In Paris the French Foreign
Ministry also made it plain that
plans we're going ahead for
Thursdays conference.
A giant British airlift of troops
put off twice last week-hegan
carrying troops to the Middle
East from the south of England.
Sleek Bristol Britannia turbo-
prop airliners, converted to hold
100 men each. and big, numbering
air freighters we're employed in
the airlift. 1t was believed most
were. bound for Malta and Cy-
prus.
-Four big troopships, packed
with guns. tanks and men, al
ready we're en- route to the trou-
bled area.
Denies Navigation Threat
Col. Nasser announced Egypt's
rejection Of the London invita-
ton in a 12-page statement read
from the speakers rostrum in the
Egyptian Parliament to 300
newsmen from all over the world.
He denied that Egypt's seizure
OF the Suez Canal Co., operators
of the canal for nearly a CEN
turn. imperiled free navigation
through the waterway.
Egypt always has owned the
canal" he said. 1T is part of
our territory. We nationalized
the canal company which is an
Egyptian company under Egypt
ian law"
Asked whether he would agree
to a United Nations guarantee
of freedom of navigation of the
canal, he said: "The most effec-
tive and important guarantee is
that given by the Egyptian gov-
eminent and the Egyptian peo-
Pile
The Egyptian leader said he
noted with complete surprise
that Britain called the 24-nation
conference without any con-
sultation with Egypt. the country
whom the matter concerns"
Col. Nasser said. however, that
"being determined to spare no
effort in preserving international
peace" his government is willing
to sponsor a conference of all
powers concerned in the free use
of the 103-mile waterway.
Col, Nasser called for a meet
ing of least As nations for the
purpose of reviewing the Con-
stantinople convention and con-
sidering the conclusion of an
agreement between these gov
ernments reaffirming and guar
anteeing the freedom of navi-
cation on the Suez Canal
The Constantinople conven-
ton OF 1888 guaranteed the free
movement of ships of all nations,
in peace and in war. through the
great canal 1t was signed by
Britain. France. Germany. the
old ro-Hungarian Empire,
Spain, Italy, the Netherlands.
Russia and Turkey. Egypt took
Turkeys place as a guarantor
after World War I.
Russia and India both called
previously for a broader confer
ence similar to that proposed by
Col. Nasser, but said they would
attend the London meeting.
Refers TO Threat of Force
OF the British-French threat
to use force against Egypt. Col.
Nasser said
In war nobody knows who
will win. Those who begin wars
do not know where they will
end. We are only small coun-
try. but we are determined to
defend our rights to the last
drop OF our blood.
II We lose this struggle IL
will mean that no small nations
are free. II will mean that any
time small nations act against
the wishes OF big nations, there
VIII be mobilization threats and
economic pressure This is not
Egypt case alone but the case
Of all small countries everywhere
We are struggling to help them
Keep their dignity. rights and
sovereignty.
The government statement
noted Britain and France have
modified reserves and moved
. oops and naval forces In the
Nieoiterfanean area since Egypt
NJ tionalized the canal.
me Egyptian government
eonoemns these measures most
emphatieally 1t said These
measures are used as threats
directed against the Egyptian