UNITED NATIONS, New York — The Security Council last night [Apr. 10] authorized Britain to enforce a blockade against tankers carrying oil to Beira for pipelining to Rhodesia. Britain promptly took advantage of the authorization to board the tanker Manuela and divert it from Beira. The Security Council vote was 10-0.
The three African nations split as Mali joined the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, France and Uruguay in abstaining while Uganda and Nigeria voted for the resolution introduced by Britain. The passage of the resolution intact came as a surprise after almost ten hours of debate.
It followed British Minister of State Lord Caradon’s warning that the Manuela was steaming towards Beira and could arrive within a few hours unless the council immediately authorized British ships and planes to halt it. The resolution marks the first time a single UN member has been authorized to use force in the international interest. — New York Herald Tribune, European Edition, April 11, 1966