Eisenhower, Dulles Reported Moving Towards Conciliation with Nasser

“President Eisenhower and Secretary of State Dulles have formulated a drastically changed policy for dealing with Egyptian dictator Nasser aid his United Arab Republic, ” Newsweek magazine reports. “Designed to improve U.S. relations with Nasser, the plan will go into effect immediately, ” the report states.

The plan calls for the U.S. to remove the restrictions it imposed on. Egypt as a result of Nasser’s nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956, ” the report reveals. “Specifically, this will unfreeze Egyptian assets in the U.S., which amount to about $30, 000. 000, and resume American Export Lines calls at Alexandria. At the same time, Washington will provide solemn diplomatic assurances that the U.S. is not out to ‘get Nasser’ and has no interest in building up another Arab leader to rival him in the Middle East. “

Other moves under consideration by the U.S. include “providing the nationalized Suez Canal Authority with U.S. Army dredges for moving silt and deepening the 105-mile waterway. ” Newsweek states. It adds that the U. S. Corps of Engineers owns one of the world’s largest dredges and has agreed to make it available to Egypt for up to six months at a time. “The U.S. Government will also release road-building equipment ordered by Egypt but now held up by the U.S. pending settlement of the Suez Canal Co. stockholders’ claims for compensation from Egypt. It will institute a CARE program to provide Egypt with U.S. surplus food.

“After another waiting period to test Nasser’s reaction to these various moves, it would add the United Arab Republic to the group of nations considered eligible for U.S. economic grants, loans, and eventually military aid. ” the report declares. It says that “the new approach is admittedly something of a gamble, but Washington hopes Nasser can be brought to realize he could ultimately be supported by the free world as a neutral and uncommitted Arab leader. “

ISRAEL HAS NO FEAR. UNLESS NASSER GIVEN OUTSIDE HELP. SAYS BEN GURION

The same issue of Newsweek carries an exclusive interview with Israel’s Premier David Ben Gurion stating he has no fear of Nasser’s Arab states “provided they do not receive outside help from other powers. ” Ben Gurion is also quoted as stating that “Israel might conceivably enter the Arab state on a federal or confederal basis, if there’s ever any settlement between Israel and the Arabs. “

The Israel Premier expressed belief that Russia “does not consciously want another world war” and that the U.S. could bring lasting peace in the Middle East nearer if it would make it “clear to the whole world that it really intended to preserve the territorial integrity of all peoples in the Middle East. The Arabs would know they cannot count on help from the outside and would thus be deterred from committing aggression.”

The Eisenhower Doctrine “is not sufficiently direct and to the point, ” Mr. Ben Gurion said. “What is needed is a new doctrine, or a clear statement of intent such, as that made during the recent Soviet-Turkish difficulties. At that time the U. S. was sharp and clear. stating it regarded an attack on Turkey as an attack on the U.S. Rather than military help from the U.S., we want America to deter aggressors. This would be a major step, perhaps the biggest that could be made at this time, And also, with the clearing of the atmosphere, America would have less troubles, ” he emphasized.