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effectively be treated by concerted international action than by unilateral action on the part of the United States. That was the essence of Presi- dent Eisenhower’s address before the United Na- tions General Assembly during the fateful Middle ~ East crisis in the Summer of 1958. Such progress as has been recorded since that time has been in large measure due to such international agencies as the United Nations Emergency Force and the United Netions Truce Supervisory Organization. ‘With specific reference to the restrictions on Israel shipping in the Suez Canal, the United Nations Secretary General has actively sought a solution. Although his efforts have not succeeded and have in fact met with a number of setbacks, the Secre- tary General as recently as April 8 reported his continued interest in the problem and his un- extinguished hope that a solution may yet be found. Our Government is giving these endeavors its fullest support. Although this letter is somewhat lengthy, I hope it will prove helpful to you in facilitating under- standing of these important questions. In par- ticular I hope it will make clear the reasons why those of us who deal with these problems on a day-to-day basis feel strongly that no actions should be taken which will exacerbate tensions in the Middle East which are clearly harmful to the long-range interests of the United States, Israel and the entire Free World. Sincerely yours, Doveras Dinion The Acting Secretary U.S. Restates Principles Affecting Policy Toward Merchant Marine The Department of State released on May 6 (press release 251) the following exchange of letters between Acting Secretary Dillon and President George Meany of the AFL-CIO, MR. DILLON TO MR. MEANY _ May 6, 1960 Dear Mr. Meany: I have just received your let- __ter.of May 5 enclosing the statement recently adopted by the AFL-CIO Executive Council with ~~ respect to boycott measures of the Arab League. With reference to the last paragraph of your 834 letter regarding appropriate action which the De- partment of State might take under the circum- stances, I enclose a statement of basic principles which actuate United States foreign policy affect- ing the American Merchant Marine. Sincerely, Dovetas Diaon - Acting Secretary Mr. Grozar Mzany, President, AFI-CIO, 815 16th Street, NW., Washington 6, D.C. Srarement oF Poricy May 6, 1960 1. As a matter of settled policy, the United States supports the principle of freedom of the seas and free access to foreign ports and facilities. The Department has constantly sought to facili- tate the normal pursuit of international com- merce by vessels of United States registry. . 2. The United States Government has long and unequivocally maintained the principle that there should be freedom of transit through the Suez Canal for all nations. This policy has been pub- licly emphasized on numerous occasions, and was specifically reiterated by the Secretary of State during his address before the United Nations Gen- eral Assembly on September 17, 1959.* 8. The United States Government protests as a matter of policy discriminatory actions or prac- tices with respect to international trade which ~— adversely affect United States firms, vessels and citizens. The Department will continue to pur- sue, by all appropriate and effective means, every avenue whereby private American interests in in- ternational trade may be fully safeguarded, and restored. 4. With respect to Arab trade restrictions aris- ing out of the Arab-Israel conflict, the Department of State reemphasizes that our Government neither recognizes nor condones the Arab boycott, which includes the black-listing of United States flag vessels in part because of prior calls at Israeli ports. Every appropriate opportunity will be - utilized, on a continuing basis, to reemphasize this fundamental position to the Governments con- cerned. At the same time, every. suitable occasion — -will be employed both within and outside the United Nations, to facilitate progress towards 8 = | * Boiierin of Oct. 5, 1959, p. 467. Department of State Bulletin —