No specific requests for any form of military aid for Israel is on the agenda for the talks which will take place here next week between President Johnson and Israel’s Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, it was revealed here today by U.S. Government officials. Mr. Eshkol is arriving in the United States on Sunday.
The officials expressed the view that Israel’s security was not a matter of urgent worry in Washington, although Israel’s safety was of general concern. The opinion was also expressed that, at this time, Israeli defense forces will continue to maintain superiority over any combination of Arab forces in the foreseeable future. The conviction of official Washington is that the Arabs recognize Israel’s superior military strength and also the American commitment to prevent aggression.
Note was taken in official Washington that Soviet Premier Khrushchev made no actual threats in Cairo of military action against Israel. The Cairo communique did not disclose new arms shipments to Egypt, although it did not preclude this, the officials commented. They said that rocket development in Egypt has not yet reached the point where a real threat to Israel exists.
The United States can do little about the work of German technicians in Egypt because it had inadequate influence with Nasser in this connection, the officials declared. They expressed the belief that, as long as an approximate power balance exists, no Arab-Israel conflict is likely. However, they conceded that a pronounced imbalance would bring a war risk.
Asked about American action in the event of aggression, the officials said the specific reaction would be determined by the President. They pointed out that the Kennedy statement on Israel and Arab security has been reiterated by President Johnson, and applies to both Arabs and Israelis.
WASHINGTON CONSIDERS TALKS ON JORDAN WATERS UNNECESSARY
No talks are considered necessary here on the Jordan water question, because of continuous contact between the two Governments. The U.S. position is that diversion should be in accordance with the Johnston plan. If the Arabs attempt a diversion beyond the Johnston plan, the United States would be opposed.
Nuclear desalination, a new concept, will be economical with time and research, the officials said. No special problems on this research are pending at the moment. Authorities expect the Eshkol talks in Washington will cover problems of mutual interest and, no doubt, will include desalination, Israeli security, and the fate of the Arab refugees.
The purpose of the Eshkol visit, the officials said, was in line with the American desire to promote understanding between world leaders. No emergency exists. The visit, however, is regarded as important, since it is the first official visit of an Israeli Prime Minister. No specific objectives are seen. The United States Government has long been concerned with the issue of Mid-Eastern peace. The Government feels exchanges are useful to clarify issues bearing on this problem.
The officials stressed that a source of special gratification to the United States has been the stability of Israel, and the wisdom and moderation of her leaders. They recalled that the United States helped Israel through substantial economic aid. They indicated that the United States is aware of Israel’s difficulties, including her high defense expenditures, acute water problem, assimilation of immigrants and deficits in Israel’s trade balance.
PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO CONFER WITH ESHKOL; RUSK TO BE SUBSTITUTED
President Johnson will, as scheduled, be on hand for his planned personal talks with Mr. Eshkol. But, because of a crisis conference to be held at Honolulu next week, to deal with the Southeast Asia situation, neither Secretary of State Dean Rusk nor Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara will be here to meet with the Israeli Prime Minister.
A meeting scheduled to be held Tuesday between Mr. Eshkol and Mr. Rusk will, instead, be attended on the United States side by Undersecretary of State George W. Ball. He has been designated Acting Secretary of State during Mr. Rusk’s absence.
A high-ranking member of the Defense Department will substitute for Mr. McNamara at another of the scheduled Eshkol meetings. However, many of the high-ranking members of the Defense set-up, including Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will also be in Honolulu for the crisis talks there.
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.
