An Israeli freighter has been chartered to the United States Government for transport of materials to South Viet Nam, the first Israeli ship to be engaged on such a mission, officials here disclosed today.
The 15,000-ton freighter, the name of which was not released, is on its way to the United States for loading. It will be used by the United States for three months, with options for renewal of the charter for another three months. It will also call at other southeast Asian ports.
The Israeli crew members will receive a 100 percent danger zone bonus for the period in which the ship will be in Viet Nam waters, and special insurance policies have been taken out for the crew members. They were told they were free to refuse to make the South Viet Nam trip, but none chose to do so.
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