Israel today handed its first official note to the French Government on President Charles de Gaulle’s embargo on military equipment and spare parts to Israel. The note was presented to the French Ambassador, by Gideon Rafael, director-general of the Israel Foreign Ministry. The two conferred at the French Embassy for about 45 minutes. The note reportedly denounced the embargo as a breach of faith by the French Government. It was learned that the note made Israel’s juridical position clear and reserved its right to take whatever action was deemed necessary with respect to the embargo. However, Israel made no request at this juncture for a refund of some $100 million paid to France for embargoed Mirage V jets, spare parts and other equipment. Israel has demanded that France live up to its contractual obligations and supply the arms ordered.
It was learned that the French Ambassador, on his own initiative, took the occasion of Mr.Rafael’s visit to acquaint him officially with France’s proposal for a Four Power conference on the Middle East. Mr. Rafael reportedly rejected the French stand as prejudicial to the mission of United Nations peace envoy, Gunnar V. Jarring.
The Israeli Government meanwhile approved a visit to France by Menachem Beigin, leader of the Herut Party and a Minister-Without-Portfolio in the Cabinet. Mr. Beigin will go to Paris next week to attend a dinner in honor of Gen. Pierre Koenig, former resistance leader and head of the Franco-Israel Friendship League. The Government felt that a refusal of the invitation would be an affront to Israel’s friends in France.
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