Expressing a willingness to act as a mediator with regard to any of the economic disputes between Israel and the Arab states. Eugene R. Black, president of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, said today he would be ready to undertake such mediation if requested by the parties concerned.
He made it clear that his willingness to mediate extends to all economic differences, including distribution of Jordan River waters and freedom of navigation through the Suez Canal. However, he added, “I have not been asked so far, and am not soliciting this business.”
The World Bank head made his statement prior to departure from Israel at Lydda Airport, Earlier, he held separate meetings with Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and Foreign Minister Golda Meir.
Mr. Black told newspapermen he was “highly impressed” with what he saw during his brief tour of Israeli developments which this country aims to expand through a loan pending before the World Bank. The Bank’s decision regarding that loan application, he said, will be made shortly by the organization’s board of directors in Washington, after study of a report on Israeli development projects from a team of experts sent here two months ago by the financial institution.
What he personally saw here, however, seemed to satisfy Mr. Black. “I have never,” he stated, “seen a country that has done so well and so much in the field of development as Israel has accomplished in the last few years. It is certainly amazing, and I congratulate you heartily.”
Meanwhile, highest Israeli economic circles today started discussions about practical arrangements that could be made here for establishment of an overall Israel Port Authority. One of the purposes of Israel’s proposed loan from the World Bank aims at expansion of the country’s port facilities. Mr. Black had made it clear, during his visit to this country, that Israel would have to establish such an autonomous authority if the World Bank were to lend money for expansion of these activities.
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.
