Ben-gurion Reports to Cabinet on His Talks in Washington, London

Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion today reported to the Cabinet on his talks in Washington and London, and replied to questions by members of the Cabinet.

At the same time, the Defense Ministry today issued an official announcement disclosing that its representatives in five Western countries have been summoned here to participate in a four-day conference and consultations on the Defense Ministry’s activities abroad.

Prime Minister Ben-Gurion, who is also Defense Minister, and Deputy Defense Minister Shimon Peres, who also returned recently from an urgent mission in Europe, will meet with the representatives in the course of their parley, the official communique said. A complete blackout has been imposed on the subjects to be discussed at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ben-Gurion, addressing the Mapal party convention this weekend, told the members of his party; “I can say with the utmost satisfaction that I met with a considerable area of agreement on the part of all men with whom I talked on world problems, as well as on most political analyses of various political blocs in our own area. I also met with great sympathy and understanding for our positions and needs.”

The Premier stressed that, while it is premature, as yet, to reach conclusions regarding the practical results of his talks in Washington and London, “the practical aim of some of these discussions, though not all, of course, lay in the discussions themselves. “

If the political conversations have been “of some use, ” he added, “and if practical expectations are fulfilled, it is only due to the fundamental preparatory work of Israeli representatives in Washington. ” He credited also “our devoted friends in American and British Jewry, whether they are called Zionists or whether they do not lay claim to that title. “