Blumenthal Arrives in Israel for ‘working Visit’

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury W. Michael Blumenthal arrived in Israel today to a warm welcome from Finance Minister Simcha Ehrlich but was snubbed by Mayor Teddy Kollek of Jerusalem. Kollek said he would not conduct the U.S. official on the usual guided tour of the city given to all important visitors because of the conditions the American Embassy attached to Blumenthal’s stay in the capital. The Embassy insisted that Kollek host Blumenthal only in West Jerusalem while on his visit to East Jerusalem he would be escorted by the U.S. Consul General.

Asked to comment on Kollek’s stand, the visitor told newsmen that while he looked forward to being in Jerusalem, as Secretary of Treasury he had to follow “the provisions made in the past for an event of this kind.” He said he regretted that he would not be able to see the Mayor of Jerusalem.

FIRST AGREEMENT ANNOUNCED

Blumenthal was greeted by Ehrlich at Ben Gurion Airport and they lunched together. Ehrlich expressed hope that his guest would see for himself that economic aid to Israel was a good investment. Blumenthal described his 36-hour stop-over in Israel, part of a general Mideast trip, as a “working visit in which we have a lot to discuss.” One immediate outcome, announced to the press, was an agreement in principle to set up a $60 million

Blumenthal also had a brief meeting today with Premier Menachem Begin. The latter told reporters afterwards that there would be no cuts in U.S. aid to Israel. “On the contrary, there may be additions,” he said. Israel is asking for $2.3 billion in financial aid from the U.S. for the 1978-79 fiscal year.

Meanwhile, Kollek said on an Israel Radio interview this morning that as mayor of “re-united Jerusalem” he would not agree to the conditions imposed on Blumenthal’s visit. He said he “didn’t need American recognition” of united Jerusalem and asked, if the U.S. recognizes the Jewish part of the city, why doesn’t it transfer its embassy there from Tel Aviv.