A resolution requesting that the United States seek guarantees in the United Nations against “a resumption of border raids and blockades of international waterways” in the Middle East was introduced today in the Senate by eight Republican and Democratic Senators. Two other resolutions asking the U. S. to give immediate concern to the Arab-Israel problem were introduced in the Senate yesterday by Sen Mike Mansfield, Montana Democrat, and Sen. William Full-bright Arkansas Democrat.
The eight Senators who joined in introducing today’s resolution include Jacob Javits (R., N. Y.), J. Glenn Beall (R.; Md.), Paul H. Douglas (D., III.), Hubert H. Humphrey (D., Minn.). Irving Ives (R., N. Y.), William Langer (R., N. D.), Richard H. Neuberger (D. Ore.) and John Sparkman (D., Ala.).
Senator Wayne Morse (D., Ore.) said that the Mansfield resolution “does not even scratch the surface” of the Arab-Israel problem. The Mansfield resolution, among other things, would call on the President to recommend to Congress an economic program to facilitate an Arab-Israel settlement. It would also seek to regulate the arms traffic to the Middle East through the establishment of a special United Nations Committee.
Sen. Morse said the Mansfield resolution contains some “fine-sounding language in it about what it is proposed to do after the fact. “But, “Sen. Morse continued, “Israel has had enough experience with after-the-fact action by the United States and the United Nations. She would like to see a little delivering before the fact.”
The Oregon Senator emphasized that before he would vote for any Middle East Plan. he would insist that the Arabs and Israelis accept a buffer zone between them and manned by a United Nations police force. He said that previous U. S. policies have not protected Israel because “powerful reactionary forces” in this country have not wanted to do so. Criticizing the U. S. stand at the United Nations demanding Israel withdrawal without assurances against establishing the status quo ante, Sen. Morse said if he were an Israeli he would be ‘just a wee bit skeptical of all the high-sounding pronouncements by American spokesmen who have been so inadequate in delivering.”
The Senator said that he could not condone the Israeli invasion of Egypt, “but I can understand her response to provocation.” Concerning the Arab refugees, Sen. Morse said the problem is no longer one for Israel and the Arab states alone. He recommended that before a resolution is passed the U. S. seek commitments on the part of the principle nations concerned to submit the Arab refugee problem to the United Nations for determination. A commitment from greater powers that they will assume a share of economic burden should also be sought, he suggested.
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