Johnson and Eshkol Complete Two Days of Talks; Issue Joint Communique

A pledge to increase existing understanding linking the United States and Israel–and agreement that Prime Minister Eshkol’s visit advanced this objective–together with a reaffirmation by President Johnson of opposition to aggression in the Near East, were contained in the joint communique issued today by the President and the Prime Minister. President Johnson put the United States on record as opposing “the use of force or threat of force” against any country in the Near East.

The text of the communique follows:

“Prime Minister Eshkol and President Johnson have completed two days of discussions on matters of mutual interest and concern. Both welcomed the opportunity presented by the Prime Ministers visit at the invitation of the President for a full exchange of views.

“The President presented the views of the United States on various world problems, including those of the Near East. He emphasized the strong desire of the United States for friendly relations with all nations of the Near East, and its devotion to peace in the area and to peaceful economic and social development of all countries in the area. He congratulated Prime Minister Eshkol on the progress made by Israel since 1948 in the economic, technical, social and cultural fields. He noted the example provided by Israel in economic growth and human development in conditions of freedom.

“Prime Minister Eshkol expressed deep appreciation for the consistent interest and sympathy shown by the U.S. and for the generous economic assistance rendered by the U.S. Government and the American people to Israel over the years. He was confident that Israel’s development would continue unabated towards the rapid achievement of a self sustaining economy. It was his deep conviction that peace and the maintenance of the territorial integrity and national independence of all countries in the Near East is of vital interest to the region and to the world.

PRESIDENT JOHNSON REITERATES U.S. SUPPORT FOR TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

“The President welcomed assurances of Israel’s deep concern, which the United States shares, for peace in the areas. He reiterated to Prime Minister Eshkol U.S. support for the territorial integrity and political independence of all countries in the Near East and emphasized the firm opposition of the U.S. to aggression and the use of force or the threat of force against any country. In this connection, both leaders expressed their concern at the diversion of vitally important resources from development to armaments.

“The two leaders declared their firm determination to make every effort to increase the broad area of understanding which already exists between Israel and the United States and agreed that the Prime Minister’s visit advanced this objective.

“The agreement reached to undertake joint studies on problems of desalting provided concrete evidence of the desire of the U. S. to continue to assist Israel in its efforts to so solve remaining economic problems. Boht countries view this as part of the worldwide cooperative effort being undertaken to solve the problem of scarcity of water and hope for rapid progress toward large-scale desalting in Israel. The knowledge and experience obtained from the joint effort will be available to all countries with water deficiencies.

“In conclusion, the President and Prime Minister expressed their conviction that their peoples shared common values and were dedicated to the advancement of man, to individual freedom, and to human dignity.”

ESHKOL REVEALS AGREEMENT ON JOINT EFFORT TO DESALTING SEA WATER

Mr. Eshkol said on departing from the White House: “It has been a very great pleasure for me to meet with the President. I take away from our discussions a clear understanding of the position of the U.S. on varices world problems including the problems of the Near East. Our talks have strengthened my feelings that there is a broad area of agreement between our two countries.”

The Prime Minister emphasized Israel’s striving for peace, and said that he and the President have agreed that Israel and the United States embark on a joint effort with regard to the problems of desalting sea water. “I shall leave Washington with the conviction that the discussions have increased the measure of agreement between our two countries,” Mr. Eshkol said.