Golda Meir Arrives in New York; Lauds Sending of U.S. Troops to Lebanon

The American landing of troops in Lebanon helped the security of all states in the Middle East region, Mrs. Golda Meir, Israel’s Foreign Minister, declared here upon her arrival to attend the current session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“All countries in the region are aided whenever any country in the Middle East finds that it has friends who are willing to assist in case of trouble, “she said, referring to the U. S. troops in Lebanon. “Such help contributes toward the easing of tension in the entire region.”

The Israel people, she stressed, have been both aware of the seriousness of the Middle East situation and calm at the same time. “During these past few months, she said, “the people in our country have certainly been cautious about the situation affecting the region. But at the same time they did not allow the gravity of the situation to influence their daily work nor to affect their life in the slightest. There was absolutely no fear or panic among the people.

“Our population of course was not unaware that serious consequences to our country’s security might have followed the recent situation,” she continued. “Our people are sensitive to the international situation and our country’s position. They are also aware, however, that we have many friends in the world who are anxious about our security and who see eye-to-eye with Israel in evaluating the Middle East situation.”

Asked about Israel’s program for the current General Assembly session, Mrs. Meir replied: “I cannot foresee any problems for us in the Assembly this yar. At least I hope there will be none. Of course, we are part of the world and anything that affects our region of the world affects us as well.”