Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home indicated today in the House of Commons that the Jordan River water project may be on the agenda of his forthcoming meeting with President Johnson.
The issue was raised in Commons by Arthur Henderson, a Labor MP, who cited the decision of the Arab summit conference in Cairo to block Israel’s planned use of the Jordan River waters for its irrigation project. Mr. Henderson stressed the joint responsibility for the area of Britain and the United States under the Tripartite Declaration of 1951 which guarantees the existing Arab-Israel borders.
The British deputy then asked whether the Prime Minister would discussed with President Johnson the plan proposed to the Arabs and Israel by the late Eric Johnston, U.S. Special Ambassador, as a possible basis of settlement of the Jordan River dispute. The Prime Minister replied that his talks with President Johnson would cover many problems of common concern but that they would be confidential. He added he did not want to refer to the agenda publicly in advance of the meeting.
Mr. Henderson also asked whether the Prime Minister would consult with President Johnson with the idea of persuading the Arab states to accept the Johnston plan and the Prime Minister replied he would consider Mr. Henderson’s suggestions.
Sir Barnett Janner said that the area of the water tap was within the territory of Israel and that it was not the concern of any other country, that the Jordan Government had proceeded on its phase of the Johnston plan without consulting anyone and that the “courageous” attempts by Israel to arrest the desert was something which should be encouraged and not hampered by anyone.
He also urged that the Government make it clear that Britain “will not put up with the kind of blackmail being sent over by the Arab states.” In reply, the Prime Minister suggested it would be best for the House to leave the matter for the time being.
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