Ambassador James P. Richards, President Eisenhower’s special envoy to Middle East countries on the Eisenhower Doctrine, today refused to state his views of Israel’s “realistic prospects” for the future. He said the “State Department fellows would have a fit” if he answered that question. He appeared before a question-and-answer session at the National Press Club.
Mr. Richards said Middle Eastern nations tried to involve him in intra-area disputes including the Akaba Gulf, Suez. Arab refugee, and other issues. He wished to avoid involving the Eisenhower Doctrine with such disputes, he said, holding that they might be solved by international agencies. But he was “afraid” that some of the intra-area disputes won’t be solved “in our time.”
Mr. Richards added that the United Nations organization had proven itself able to handle intra-area disturbances. The Communists want continued chaos, confusion, and conflict in the Near East, he stated.
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