Dulles and Eban to Resume Talks on Israel’s Security Problems

The Israel Embassy declined to comment today on the recent statements by President Eisenhower or on the views of Sec. John Foster Dulles as quoted by Vice President Richard M. Nixon pending further study and consultation with the Israel Government.

In circles close to the Administration it is understood that there has been continuous communication between Secretary Dulles and Ambassador Eban, and the discussions between them on the subject of Israel’s security problems will be resumed shortly.

Israel circles see significance in the passages of President Eisenhower’s speech and of Mr. Dulles’ cable quoted by the Vice President which recognize that it would be unwise to create an imbalance between Israel and the Arab states. It is understood that among the issues emphasized by Israel in recent talks have been the need to avoid a change in the present balance, and the necessity for the Western Powers to avoid establishing military relationships with the Arab states from which Israel is excluded. The signature of the Anglo-Egyptian agreement without any parallel satisfaction of Israel’s claims has made this concern increasingly urgent.

GENERAL MOOD OF ISRAELI CIRCLES IN WASHINGTON DEPICTED

The general mood of Israeli circles may thus be summarized as follows: on the one hand there are signs that Israel’s concern is becoming increasingly recognized by leaders of the Administration, and that Secretary Dulles since his talks with Mr. Eban last August has shown a special interest in this problem. On the other hand, the problem, though more fully recognized and understood than before, is not yet solved.

The position remains one in which the Arab states, especially Egypt, have been politically and militarily reinforced while Israel so far received general assurances of good will in Washington and London. These, though welcome and gratifying in themselves, do not constitute facts of strength such as would counter-balance the tangible strengthening granted or offered to the Arabs. Thus Israel’s apprehensions will continue to be the subject of further discussions between the Governments of the United States and of Israel.