State Department sources made known today that the return of Ambassador Eric Johnston to the Middle East has been delayed for several weeks for a variety of reasons among which is regional tension arising from friction at Gaza.
Mr. Johnston, who has spent considerable time here on preparatory work to achieve a scheme for Arab-Israel water cooperation, will now leave some time in July. He was previously scheduled to depart this month.
Gaza friction, however, is not the only reason given for the delay in his departure. The King of Jordan would be away and the present structure of Jordanian Government is such that authority to conclude an arrangement may be lacking at this juncture. A number of key officials are outside of Syria at this time so difficulties might be faced there, too. Trouble at Gaza, according to official sources, makes a delay desirable.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
