Israel’s Foreign Minister Arrives in Paris; Discusses Arab Mergers

Israel has always regarded the entry of an Iraqi Army into Jordan as a danger to her own security and will continue to so view it, regardless of the Iraqi-Jordan union, Mrs. Golda Meir, Israel Foreign Minister, told a press conference here today.

Mrs. Meir, who arrived here today for a short visit before undertaking a West African goodwill tour, conferred for 40 minutes today with Foreign Minister Christian Pineau of France. She met separately with H. T. Boijny, Minister of Public Health, in connection with problems which will arise during her African trip.

Also today, Mrs. Meir presided over a meeting of Israeli envoys to half a dozen European countries who were summoned to Paris to meet with their chief.

The Israeli Foreign Minister told newsmen that Israel’s reaction to the Arab mergers would be dictated by Israeli security considerations. She underlined the fact that Israel is prepared for peaceful relations with all her neighbors, as individual states or as federations, and hopes to develop technical cooperation programs with the Arab states in the future.

Replying to questions, she indicated again that Israel is still ready to negotiate peace or non-aggression pacts with any or all of the Arab states. She stated that Israel will at all times defend her borders and would not accept any reduction of her territory, adding that she hoped all the Big Powers would respect Israel’s existing borders.

(In Cairo, President Nasser yesterday told thousands of Egyptians, who crowded into the Koubbeh Palace gardens to congratulate him on his near unanimous election as president of the new United Arab Republic, that formation of the new state spelled the start of the “complete liberation” of the Arab world. He specifically included Israel in this area.)