Kennedy Expected to Reaffirm Today U.S. Guarantee of Israel Borders

Informed sources said here today that President Kennedy, responding to growing pressure from a bloc of Senators and Representatives, will reaffirm at his press conference tomorrow a 1950 guarantee of the existing Israeli-Arab frontiers.

The 1950 declaration, made Jointly with Britain and France, pledged that the three governments, if they found any states in the area “preparing to violate frontiers of armistice lines, would, consistent with their obligations as members of the United Nations, immediately take action both within and outside the United Nations, to prevent such violations.” The British Government had reaffirmed this pledge last week.

The same sources said that the President had decided to reaffirm an existing pledge rather than propose a new doctrine which could stir controversy at home and abroad. However, it was indicated, the President will seek to emphasize that while his Administration recognizes the importance of Israel’s security, it considers American interests in the Arab countries also to be important.

This expected stand reflects a conflict between State Department professionals on the Middle East and White House advisors on the broiling Middle East situation. The State Department experts contend that a strong pro-Israel stand by the United States would diminish United States influence in the Arab countries, particularly with President Nasser of the United Arab Republic.

Those who differ with this view, both in the White House and Congress, insist that the United States has a moral obligation to stand by Israel in the face of renewed throats from the Arabs in the new United Arab Republic of Egypt, Syria and Iraq. They contend also that American public opinion favors action to protect Israel’s security.