Eshkol Discusses Stricter Parliamentary Supervision of Israel’s Army

Finance Minister Levi Eshkol, who has been entrusted by President Izhak Ben-Zvi with the formation of the new Cabinet, began discussions yesterday on one of the major demands of the opposition–the introduction of stricter parliamentary supervision of the armed forces.

The left-wing Mapam and Achdut Avodah parties insist on the formation of a Ministerial Committee as a supreme body responsible for the country’s security. Premier David Ben Gurion, who is also the Defense Minister, has been insisting that all security matters be left in the hands of the Defense Minister only.

In an attempt to settle this issue, Mr. Eshkol conferred yesterday with Israel Calili, leader of the Achdut Avodah, who is particularly firm on the demand of introducing parliamentary control over the armed forces. Mr. Galili is reported to have prepared a detailed plan for the implementation of such control.

Meanwhile, representatives of Mapai and other parties are also discussing another issue to affect the next coalition. This one deals with establishing a “collective responsibility” rule, which would make it mandatory for all parties that are partners of the coalition to support all Government bills in Parliament, or at least not to vote against such bills.

The principal issue, however, on whether Mapai is to have a majority of the members of the next Cabinet, is still in dispute. Futher intra-party discussions of that issue will be held at meetings scheduled for Wednesday.

At a meeting of the inter-party committee of Mapai’s former coalition partners–the Liberals, the National Religious Barty, Mapam, and Achdut Avodah–held yesterday, in preparation for further talks with Mr. Eshkol, it was decided to maintain “a firm and united” stand on the three central issues: 1. Numerical and qualitative parity between Mapai and the other parties in the Cabinet; 2. An equitable distribution of important portfolios, particularly the ministries of defense, foreign affairs and finance; and 3. Parliamentary supervision of the armed forces.

Mr. Eshkol today expressed optimism about his prospects of forming a government soon after the holidays. It is understood that he believes that Mapam and Achdut Avodah understand now better than a week ago the necessity of keeping a strong labor coalition. This sentiment has also been expressed during the last few days in articles written by Achdut Avodah writers in the Israeli press.