The Israel Government was expected here today to turn down a request by Communist China’s Prime Minister Chou en-Lai to join a world move to set up nuclear-free zones and for dismantling of all military bases on foreign soil. The request was received here a week ago, discussed by Israel’s Cabinet, and was the subject of a conference today between Prime Minister Levi Eshkol and Foreign Minister Golda Meir.
While the contents of the planned reply were not disclosed, it was understood that Israel will tell the Chinese leader that the danger to peace in the Middle East region stems not from nuclear weapons but from the continuous flow of conventional arms to Egypt. China will be told, it is understood, that Israel favors complete disarmament on a global scale, as well as disarmament for the Middle East, with adequate means of inspection for the attainment of peace.
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