The United States today charged that Russia is aggravating Middle East tensions by shipping “large quantities of arms and ammunition” into the area. The charge was made in a note delivered to the Soviet Government today in reply to the Soviet note of September 3 regarding the Middle East. The French and British Governments today presented similar notes to Russia.
(A report from London stated the British note told Moscow that “continuation of the Arab-Israel dispute is the basic reason of the tension in the Middle East.” The British Government “would welcome any evidence of a genuine desire of the Soviet Government to seek a solution of this fundamental problem,” the note added.)
The U.S. note accused Russia of distorting American objectives and actions in the Middle East. It said the Russian note sought only to serve Soviet propaganda interests rather than promote peace and stability in the Middle East. Responsibility for the present Middle East tension was placed on Russia.
The U.S. note said that “by shipping large quantities of arms and ammunition into the area during a period of tension there, the Soviet Union set in a motion a chain of events leading to the present dangerous situation. Furthermore, inflammatory Soviet statements and propaganda have served to impede the relaxation of tension and the solution of the serious problems existing in the area.” The U.S. note made clear that this government will carry out the policy enunciated in the Eisenhower Doctrine.
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