A proposal that the United Nations summon an international conference of statesmen and scientists to consider the problem of the need of greater water resources by underdeveloped countries was made here this weekend by Ab ba S. Eban, Deputy Prime Minister of Israel. He voiced the proposal as a member of the 18- man U. N. Advisory Committee on Science and Technology, currently in session to consider ways of aiding developing countries.
Mr. Eban is a member of a two-man team–the other being Sir Norman Wright, of Britain–to work out special “crash” programs needed by underdeveloped countries. He told the committee that problems of food, population increases and water scarcity must be given urgent attention. In that connection, he proposed focusing of greater attention on water scarcities. Desalination of sea water, he said, is only one aspect of the problem, though an important matter.
Mr. Eban’s proposal was backed in the committee by the representatives of Brazil, India, Colombia, the U. N. Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The Israeli statesman also cautioned underdeveloped countries against regarding the use of nuclear power by their areas as “a remote vision.” He advised the underdeveloped lands to concentrate their efforts on the training of personnel for “versatile” understanding, Including the use of nuclear energy. Mr. Eban will meet with United States Secretary of State Dean Rusk in Washington this week, and with Canada’s Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson at Ottawa next week, it was disclosed here today.
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