The United States Government and Israel are at odds over American insistence that Israel accept international controls over aid to its atoms-for-peace projects, it became known here this weekend.
The State Department is currently negotiating renewal of nine bilateral agreements that are due to expire soon, including not only Israel but also Argentina, Brazil, Nationalist China, Greece, Iran, Portugal, Thailand and South Vietnam. In each case, the U.S.A. insists that these nations, which receive U. S. aid in atomic research, accept international controls as a condition of American aid in the atomic field. Six of the nations have reportedly accepted these conditions but Israel, after a number of negotiating sessions, has refused to do so. Israel’s agreement on this matter with the U. S. A. is due to expire next July.
Israeli officials are reported to have insisted that, while they believe strongly in the principles of international inspection, they see themselves discriminated against because they are not represented on the board of directors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which would exercise the controls. The seat on that board, presumably assigned to the Middle East, has always gone to an Arab representative, the Israelis point out.
State Department and U.S.Atomic Energy Commission sources a said this weekend they are hopeful that Israel would accept “safeguards” on atomic research prior to the old pact’s renewal.
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