The Israeli special representative to the United States, Eliahu Epstein, today made his first official call on Secretary of State George C. Marshall and assured him that the people and Government of Israel want only to live in peace with America and other nations of the world.
Epstein, leaving the Secretary’s office with Stanley Woodward, State Department Chief of Protocol, told reporters that he assured the Secretary of Israel’s desire to develop close and friendly relations with the U.S. Israel desires to contribute to the peace and security of the world and the Near East and to live in peace, Epstein said.
The American people and government have done much to help establish the state of Israel, he said, adding that he hoped that future relations between the two countries will further “contribute to the development and progress of our country.” He revealed that Secretary Marshall assured him of the desire of the U.S. to see Israel progress and develop and cent his personal regards to Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Shertok.
Asked if he had discussed with the Secretary the possible de jure recognition by the U.S. of Israel, Epstein said he had not thought it appropriate to discuss such specific questions on his first call on the Secretary. A reporter asked if Epstein would present his credentials to President Truman and if the date had been set. Woodward said that Epstein would, as special representative, present his credentials at the White House, but referred reporters to Presidential Press Secretary Charles C. Ross for the date.
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