Israel Discloses Further Details; Eshkol Sees Benefits of ‘breakthrough’

Prime Minister Levi Eshkol today lauded President Johnson and the United States Government for concluding the U.S.-Israel agreement furthering the joint undertaking by the two Governments in developing the projected use of nuclear energy for desalination of sea water.

At the same time, Gen. Zvi Tsur, former Army Chief of Staff, who is the coordinator of the U.S.-Israel project in Mr. Eshkol’s office, revealed here upon his return from Washington further details of the joint undertaking as worked out in conferences in the American capital between American and Israeli experts.

The agreement, he said, calls for the construction of a 200-megawatt nuclear reactor and desalination plant, with an annual capacity of 125,000,000 cubic meters of sweet water. The plant, he said, would increase Israel’s water potential by 10 percent, and permit closer settlement of arid areas in the Negev desert.

In his statement, Prime Minister Eshkol declared: “The announcement by the President of the United States is to be welcomed because of the vital need to develop and implement the pioneering concept of desalting sea water on a large scale. An achievement embodying a breakthrough in this field will benefit all countries suffering from a shortage of fresh water. It is a fine thing that the Government of the United States is prepared to devote resources and efforts to this end.

“President Johnson and the entire American people have once again proven their readiness to give staunch support to a fundamental advance which will ensure a gain for developing nations. They are prepared to devote enormous resources to scientific advance and channel it towards the solution of humanity’s problems. It is a great privilege for Israel to join with the United States in pioneering experiments to ease the shortage of water in Israel and other arid lands.”