The State Department today “deplored” the Syrian attack on Israel police boats yesterday which resulted in the death of three Israeli policemen, but declined to comment on the ousting of British General John B. Glubb, commander of the Arab Legion, by Jordanian King Hussein.
State Department spokesman Lincoln White indicated that the views of the U.S. Government on the Syrian attack had been communicated to Israel and Syria. He said the United States welcomed the fact that both sides had turned to the United Nations Mixed Armistice Commission in this situation.
Secretary of State Dulles and Assistant Secretary George V. Allen, now at Karachi, Pakistan, for the SEATO conference, are being kept informed of the latest developments in the Arab-Israel crisis, Mr. White said. He declined to comment on a suggestion by Sen Estes Kefauver, Democratic Presidential aspirant, that President Eisenhower call another “summit conference” to avert a war in the Middle East.
Sen. Kefauver told newsmen that the President must “personally take a strong hand and use the prestige of the Presidency” to reach a “peaceful solution of Arab-Israeli difficulties.” He recommended immediate convocation of a “summit” parley with American, British, French, Israeli and Arab representatives attending. He suggested Washington, Cairo “or anywhere else” as the site of such a meeting.
Meanwhile it was learned here today that the State Department has plans for the evacuation of American tourists and others from the Middle East in the event of war. A meeting on the Middle East crisis will be held here tomorrow by representatives of the tripartite powers. In addition to examining the question of arms sales by the Western Powers to Middle East countries, the developments in Jordan will be discussed at the meeting.
Reports reaching here from Cairo revealed that a so-called summit conference of Egyptian and Syrian leaders had begun there today. Syrian Prime Minister Said Ghazzi arrived here yesterday, together with his Defense Minister and Army Chief of Staff, to discuss military matters with the Egyptian high command. The two armies currently have a common command.
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