Israel Ambassador Abba S. Eban today drew attention of the Arab countries to the fact that they were among the 60 member nations which, at the San Francisco meeting of the United Nations this week, subscribed the declaration pledging “to live in amity and in friendship with our neighbors.”
“I hope that they know what they mean by that declaration,” Mr. Eban said at a press conference here. “For the Arab states it would require a modification of their policy, because they have never agreed to live in friendship with the State of Israel. In deep faith, I express the hope that the Arab countries know what the declaration imposes upon them in their relations with Israel. As we look at the international scene, we become aware of the fact that the Arab nations have refused to make direct contact with Israel–with no parallel in the international relations in our time.”
The Ambassador then pointed out that “every other dispute has been or is now being submitted to a process of direct settlement.” He cited the cases of Italy and Yugoslavia, of the Asian countries which participated in the Korean conflict, of the participants in the Indo-China conflict, and of the London, Paris, and Austrian agreements.
“The principals have always met and tried to reach a settlement,” he said. “Only Israel and the Arab states have not met to attempt to reach a settlement by means of direct litigation. We hope the Arab nations will become aware of the unusual policy they have adopted, and realize that any country that refuses to meet for a direct settlement places itself outside the entire stream of contemporary international experience.”
Reviewing Israel’s economic progress, Ambassador Eban told the press conference: “The main cause for this consolidation is the great assistance by the Government and people of the United States, which has left its imprint upon every aspect of Israel’s growing strength. Without the massive infusion of aid from the Government and people of the United States, by grant and by loan, over the past two or three years, we should not have reached the state of stability and security in which we find ourselves now.”
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