The Suez-Hungary Crisis:50 years ago today (November 1, 1956)

11/1/2006 | Self

[Nextrush]

With the Egyptian army pulling out of Sinai and the RAF attacking Egyptian airfields, the Israeli army in Sinai spread out to take control of the entire peninsula outside the Anglo-French exclusion zone.

Nasser ordered Egyptian forces not to fight the British or French, but they were allowed to fight Israelis, whom Nasser considered to be the "real" enemy.

At 5 PM debate began at the United Nations General Assembly that lasted until 2AM November 2nd when a resolution was passed by a 65 to 5 vote.

It called for:

1. An immediate cease-fire and a halt to the movement of military forces and arms into the area;

2. Prompt withdrawl behind the armistice lines (Israel-Egypt 1949) and scrupulous observance of the armistice, and

3. Recommended that UN member states refain from introducing military goods into the war area and eschew "any acts which would delay or prevent implementation of the present resolution."

It also called for opening of the Suez Canal as soon as possible and called on Secretary Genral Dag Hammarskjold to report on compliance. It was also resolved that the General Assembly was in emergency session until the resolution was complied with.

Six nations abstained from the resolution including Canada. Foreign Minister Lester Pearson explained that Canada was hoping that an international force, which was now being advocated by Anthony Eden, might be considered to help solve the crisis.....

In Hungary, the pressure to formally break free of Soviet domination was building on the new government's leader Imre Nagy.

Nagy received Soviet Ambassador Yuri Andropov on the morning of November 1st and told him that more Soviet troops were observed entering the country in violation of the Warsaw Pact Treaty and that unless they were pulled back, Hungary would renounce the treaty.

Nagy called Andropov again in the afternoon to tell him more troops were observed entering during the day and that effective immediately, Hungary was renouncing the Warsaw Treaty.

Andropov was called in and then other foreign ambassadors to hear the Declaration of Neutrality. Nagy said that Hungary was appealing to the United Nations to help his country preserve neutrality.

At 7:50 PM Nagy spoke to the people of Hungary.

He said in part: "The revolutionary struggle fought by the Hungarian people and heroes has at last carried the cause of freedom and independence to victory. This heroic struggle has made possible the enforcement, in our people's international relations, of their fundamental national interest: neutrality.".....................

[Nextrush]

The events of 50 years ago today in the twin crises. All posted under keyword "1956."

[Chi-townChief]

And the UN blows it, even back then.