The Administration may ask Congress for stand-by authority to use U.S. military forces in the Middle East if United Nations peace efforts fail. Reports to this effect were circulated here today following a meeting at the White House at which Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders were briefed by President Eisenhower and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles on the international situation.
A State Department spokesman was asked about these reports and replied that he had no knowledge or comment on such plans. Administration sources said a possible request for stand by authority for commitment of forces would be given the most serious consideration if the situation continues to deteriorate.
The question of U.S. armed intervention was expected to come up in a discussion of Arab-Israel war danger at a meeting of the National Security Council to be attended by the President later today. Main emphasis is now being placed on United Nations Security Council measures to prevent war.
The State Department disclosed today that France suggested “informally” that the tripartite Foreign Ministers meet in a few weeks in Paris or London to comer on the Arab-Israel situation. The meeting was seen by French Foreign Minister Christian Pineau as desirable in early May. The Arab-Israel situation, among other topics, was discussed today at a meeting of Italian Ambassador Manlio Prosio with George V. Allen, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
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