Egypt has asked the United States Government for $500,000,000 of surplus foods, to be shipped in the next three years, Cairo dispatches, received here today, reported. The request was made in Cairo to Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Phillips Talbot, in charge of Middle East and African Affairs, now visiting the Egyptian capital.
Mr. Talbot, the dispatches reported, told the Egyptians that the U.S.A. is willing to continue some economic aid and to supply wheat to be paid for in Egyptian currency. The Egyptian currency would be set aside to meet American expenses in Egypt, and to help finance Egyptian economic projects. Egypt’s $500,000,000 request would continue a program agreed to between the Cairo Government and Washington in 1962, and ending this year. This program involved a somewhat smaller amount of U.S. expenditures.
Mr. Talbot was understood to have reminded the Egyptians that, under a recent Foreign Aid bill amendment, Congress had authorized the President to withhold U.S. aid from various countries–like Egypt-if the President deems such withholding “in the national interest.” The amendment had been adopted when Congress reacted against the burning of a United States library in Cairo and against a statement by Egypt’s President Nasser who had invited the United States “to Jump in the lake.”
It was authoritatively reported here also today that Mr. Talbot will go to Israel, next Wednesday, for a visit to last about 48 hours. In Israel, Mr. Talbot is scheduled to confer with Prime Minister Levi Eshkol and Foreign Minister Golda Meir.
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