Dulles Leaves Israel; Calls Visit a “stimulating Experience”

Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, Mutual Security director Harold Stassen and their party of State Department advisors and aides left Israel today after a 26-hour visit during which the American statesmen conferred with Israel President Ben Zvi, Premier David Ben Gurion, Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett and a number of other Israeli Government leaders on political and economic affairs.

Immediately after the American party had crossed into Jordan at the Mandelbaum Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem, Israel’s most extensive security operation came to an end and this city returned to normal. The American party, which traveled to this city this morning in a six-car motor caravan, left Israel at 3 P.M.

Just prior to Mr. Dulles’ departure the American Embassy in Tel Aviv released the following statement in his behalf:

“It has been a stimulating experience for Mr. Stassen and me to visit Israel and to call on the leaders of this dynamic country. Our two days of talks included interesting conversations with the President, Premier, Foreign Minister and other leaders. Such ‘on the spot’ talks are of great value.

“We came here primarily to listen and observe. We did not bring any ready-made solutions to the serious problems of this area, but we hope that through talks which began in Cairo and have continued here and will continue in other countries we will obtain a better understanding of these problems and that we may help in improving the climate for peace and security in the Middle East.

“I congratulate the people of Israel on the progress made in the first five years of the new state and I wish them success in meeting the problems lying ahead.”

DISCUSSED ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ISSUES WITH ISRAEL LEADERS

Upon his arrival here this morning, the Secretary and his party were immediately taken to Premier Ben Gurion’s office where Mr. Sharett and a few Foreign Ministry officials joined them for a political conversation. After the political discussion ended, Minister of Finance Levi Eshkol and Minister of Trade Dr. Peretz Bernstein and Treasury chief David Horowitz joined them for economic talks. During this session Mr. Stassen took over the most active role on the American side.

At this session the Premier presented Mr. Dulles with a richly-bound copy of the newly revised “Jerusalem Bible” published by the Hebrew University. Afterwards the Premier entertained the American party at lunch and once again the whole range of problems was explored. Later the Secretary paid a formal 10-minute call on President Ben Zvi.

Except for a non-committal official statement, no information on the topics discussed was available here today. An official spokesman said that the talks had covered Israel-American relations as well as the future relations of Israel and the Arab countries.

Yesterday Mr. Sharett and Foreign Office officials conferred twice with the members of the American party at Hakirya, the government seat in Tel Aviv. The Americans were also guests of honor at a dinner given last night by Mr. Sharett at which Cabinet members and top Army officers were present.