United States Ambassador Monnet B. Davis today declared here that Israel will receive generous American support for its economic development which he described as prerequisite to political stability essential for peace.
Speaking at a Rotary Club luncheon, he passingly referred to “steps taken to establish a Middle East Command to co-operate with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and countries in this area for defending this important region from aggression.” He did not express his views about Israel’s role in such a command.
The underlying note in his statement was that the United States regarded Israel as a member of the network of states whose economic and political well-being were the concern of the free nations. Assistance to Israel fitted into a pattern of overall aid to the Near East and Africa within the framework of the Mutual Security Act Appropriation, he said.
Mr. Davis emphasized that the Mutual Security Appropriation Bill, more popularly known as the Foreign Economic Aid Bill–which was approved by Congress in Washington yesterday–involves a program designed to assist the Near Eastern and African countries to increase their food production and agriculture generally, public works programs, and industrial and communications expansion. It would make a material contribution to a solution of the refugees problem, turning homeless or displaced persons into productive members of society, he added.
Mr. Davis went on to say that the American bill to aid friendly foreign countries includes a provision for the care and resettlement of 800,000 Arab refugees, as well as care for refugees coming to Israel. He stressed that Israel’s participation in the program would be substantial. (The 82nd Congress approved and sent to the White House for signature last night a bill providing for $7,328,903,976 in economic and military aid for friendly foreign powers including $160,000,000 for Israel and Arab countries. The figures represent a five percent reduction as approved earlier by a Senate appropriations committee.)
AMERICA TO SEND RAILWAY AND MINING EXPERTS TO ISRAEL
Referring to President Truman’s “Point Four Program,” the American diplomat said projects were currently being worked out for sending to Israel technicians to assist the country’s railway expansion and modernizations, as well as specialists in are dressing technique for helping in the wise utilization of the country’s mining resources.
Mr. Davis also revealed that funds have been made available for sending 38 Israelis to the United States for the study of railway administration and maintenance, petrochencial engineering and ship’s mechanics.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
