Johnston Sees Eisenhower on Israel-arab Water Cooperation Plan

President Eisenhower gave final instructions today to his special envoy Eric Johnston who will leave by air on January 23 for Israel in pursuit of regional water cooperation between the Arab states and Israel.

Mr. Johnston, who reported to the President at the White House, said that he will spend a week in Israel before proceeding to the Arab states. He will confer with Israel authorities on the morning of January 26. From Israel he will go to Egypt and from there to Jordan. His next stops will be Lebanon, then Syria.

The chances for success, said Mr. Johnston, were “about the same.” He said his attitude on departure is one of “restrained optimism” and that there is “some reason for some hope.” He stressed that he will do his best to bring about an agreement although he said he may not be able to do it on this trip. This is his third visit to the Near East on this mission.

Ambassador Johnston said that since his last trip in July new surveys have been reported and that “now we can talk completely factually.” The new information, he stated, indicated slightly more water. The principle points which remain to argue were listed by Mr. Johnston to include the questions of the amount of water to be divided, the selection of a neutral authority to oversee water delivery, the question of storage and what the states can do with the water.

Before calling at the White House today, Dr. Johnston consulted with Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, Foreign Operations Administrator Harold E. Stassen, members of the Senate and House Foreign Affairs Committees, and the Ambassadors of the states involved, including the Ambassador of Israel. The main goal of the plan, he said, is to work toward Arab-Israel peace by developing water and power which would help put back on the land Arab refugees now in refugee camps.