Eban Asks State Dept. for Clarification of Saudi Arabian Deal

Israel Ambassador Abba Eban, in a meeting today with George V. Allen, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, emphasized the coincidence of the sale of U.S. army tanks to Saudi Arabia and the State Department’s continued inaction on Israel’s arms application.

Mr. Eban cited Saudi Arabia’s hostility toward Israel and pointed out the lack of response given to the Israel arms request. He termed the sale of tanks to Saudi Arabia as a move that would not contribute to the relief of Arab-Israel tension.

The Ambassador asked Mr. Allen for clarification of reports on the munitions transaction with Saudi Arabia. Mr. Eban said a certain disparity existed in that Saudi Arabia, threatened by no country, received U.S. tanks while on the other hand Israel, though faced by acknowledged threats, has nor received such consideration.

The original, purpose for the Allen-Eban meeting today was a discussion of the economic aid program for the fiscal year 1956. This matter was discussed but the question of tank sales to Saudi Arabia was brought up in addition.

A spokesman for the Embassy of Israel issued a strongly worded statement today differing sharply with the State Department decision to ship tanks to Saudi Arabia. The spokesman said: “How the dispatch of tanks to Saudi Arabia can help to reduce tensions in the Middle East is utterly beyond our comprehension. This is a country whose avowed policy embraces the destruction of Israel even if it takes 10,000,000 Arab casualties to insure this result.”

The spokesman pointed out that an Arab nation which is in no danger of attack from anyone receives American arms while “Israel which is in serious danger of attack has so far received nothing.”