Eban Calls Rogers’ Announcement Disappointing; Cites Danger of Expanding Conflict

Israel asked the United States today “to make an urgent reappraisal of the actual and expected balance of forces” in the Middle East and, in effect, to reconsider its decision, announced by Secretary of State William P. Rogers in Washington this morning, not to provide Israel with the additional Phantom and Sky hawk jets it requested last September. Israel’s official reply to Secretary Rogers’ announcement was made public by Foreign Minister Abba Eban in a television and radio appearance shortly after it was conveyed to the U.S. State Department by

Israel’s Ambassador in Washington, Gen. Yitzhak Rabin. Mr. Eban said, “The Government of Israel expects the close watch (on the Mideast military balance) indicated by the President to result soon in practical steps to prevent the increase of the dangerous imbalance and to supply Israel with the aircraft so necessary and vital for her security.”

Mr. Eban said that “Israel’s ability to withstand and repel attack is the only concrete factor capable of deterring the Arab states and especially the United Arab Republic, from renewing the war in full scale and fury. If these governments imagine that our air strength will lag behind the re-enforcement of the Arab states in aircraft, the chance of avoiding an expanding conflict will seriously diminish.” The Israeli Foreign Minister said that this view was presented to the U.S. last September when Israel asked the U.S. Government to enable it to buy a number of additional aircraft for delivery in 1971-72.

“We were convinced that the consequent dangers could only be effectively met by making Israel stronger and by ensuring that there be no illusion that Israel could be successfully attacked,” Mr. Eban said. “Accordingly, Israel awaited the United States response in a mood of deep suspense. The absence of a positive response by the United States at this stage has aroused our disappointment and concern. Israel’s vital needs for self defense are not met in the statement (by Secretary Rogers) published today.” Mr. Eban said that the lack of a positive response was also liable to be interpreted by Soviet Russia “as an assurance that its continued support of the aggressive Egyptian design may go forward without impediment.”

ISRAEL WELCOMES U.S. ECONOMIC AID AND CONTINUING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES

The Israeli Foreign Minister stated that “In recent days it has become established beyond all doubt that something of serious consequence has taken place. The Soviet Union has introduced into Egypt a missile system of the SAM-3 category, accompanied by a substantial number of Soviet personnel designed for its activation. The purpose of this missile system is to serve the Egyptians as an umbrella, under whose shelter they plan to intensify their continued attacks across the cease-fire lines. This weapons system represents a new political and military dimension which all those concerned for the balance of forces and the promotion of stability in our region must take into serious account.” Mr. Eban said, “We believe that this development greatly strengthens the urgency of a response to our security request.”

He said Israel has taken note of President Nixon’s March 21 statement, repeated by Secretary Rogers today that the decision on Israel’s request for more aircraft was an “interim decision.” He said, “We also note their remarks about the evidence of new SAM-3 missiles and Soviet military personnel which the Soviet Union introduced into Egypt. We also note the assurance by the President and the Secretary of State that this situation bears and will receive close and careful scrutiny by the U.S. Government as well as continuous review and evaluation.” Continuing, Mr. Eban stated, “In this context, we attach importance to the fact that the U.S. Government has no intention of jeopardizing Israel’s security.”

Mr. Eban said further that in light of the recent developments, Israel also “ascribed great importance” to Secretary Rogers’ indication that President Nixon has instructed that a close watch be kept on the military balance in the Mideast and that the U.S. would provide additional as well as replacement aircraft promptly if the situation requires it. Mr. Eban said the Israeli Government appreciated the U.S. Government’s decision to respond “in significant measure” to Israel’s requests for economic aid, submitted concurrently with its request for more aircraft last September. “The friendship between Israel and the U.S. has deep roots in the consciousness of both nations,” Mr. Eban said. “This came to cogent expression during the meetings between President Nixon and Prime Minister Golda Meir last September and in many subsequent contacts and discussions. We believe that Israel and the U.S. have many common values and a long record of friendship.”