Importance of Eshkol’s Mission Stressed by Golda Meir

All members of the Israel Cabinet, members of the diplomatic corps and senior Government officials were on hand at Lydda Airport this morning to bid farewell to Prime Minister Levi Eshkol who left for an official 12-day visit to the United States.

Premier Eshkol was accompanied by Mrs. Eshkol; Shimon Peres, Deputy Minister of Defense; Chaim Yachil and Yaacov Herzog, Director General and Deputy Director General of the Foreign Ministry, Before boarding the plane, Mr. Eshkol inspected an honor guard.

In a statement issued before his departure, Premier Eshkol said that his main object was to “explain our problems to President Johnson face to face” and to acquaint him with Israel’s views in foreign affairs and in economic matters. The statement declared:

“I welcome the opportunity to meet the American President, leaders and people. In the course of the visit, which will take several days, I will discuss a number of problems and wishes with the American people–the same people who followed with friendship and watched Israel’s statehood and development. I await renewal of contact with the large Jewish community whose role in Israel’s progress was and is of essential value and with which we maintain such close ties. I hope the visit will contribute to the fostering of relations with the U. S. A. and our nation.”

The central committee of Premier Levi Eshkol’s Mapai party expressed its best wishes for the Premier’s visit to the United States at a meeting last night. Mrs. Golda Meir, Israel’s Foreign Minister, who was the principal speaker at the meeting, said the Premier had “great tasks” during his visit and would bring Israel’s requests to top United States officials.

ESHKOL STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUED U.S. AID TO ISRAEL

In an interview with the afternoon daily, Maariv, prior to his departure, Premier Eshkol stressed the importance of continued U. S. aid to Israel. Pointing to the gap in the nation’s

Emphasizing that Israel welcomed President Johnson’s proposal for cooperation in the desalination of sea water, Mr. Eshkol said that he expects the matter will be taken up during the visit. Noting that this was a problem of vital importance to Israel’s development, the Premier said that a study was required concerning the possibilities of establishing large-scale desalination plants and whether nuclear fuel was required or whether it could be accomplished by means of conventional fuel provided a long-term supply were assured.

Mr. Eshkol declined to comment on the recent statements by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev during his visit to Egypt. Asked about the message he was bringing to American Jewry; he said it was a message of common destiny underlying the rebuilding of Israel which expects a deepening of the partnership. “I shall bring them our concern for continued growth and problems involved,” he declared, adding that American Jewry “could help in the absorption of a third million in the coming years and in planning the absorption of a fourth million in the next decade.”