Reports received here today from Moscow indicate that the Soviet Government is considering offering economic aid to Israel and other countries in the Middle East. The reports said that the Soviet press is stressing the need of the Middle Eastern countries for Russian economic assistance.
(In Israel, the authorities yesterday banned the showing of the Hebrew version of a Soviet play called “The Voice of America. “The play, by Boris Lavrenev, is critical of the United States. It has been the practice of Israel’s censorship board to bar plays which criticize friendly powers.)
Meanwhile, it was learned here today that the Governments of the United States, Britain, France and Turkey have agreed to tell Moscow that the record of the Soviet Union makes necessary the organization of a Middle Eastern defense organization. A four-power communication to this effect is now being drafted. It will constitute an answer to the Soviet notes of last month which protested the projected formation of a Middle East command.
The Soviet press, according to information received here, is giving its readers the impression that “the masses” in the Middle East welcomed the Soviet notes and are opposed to the participation of their government in a Western-sponsored Middle East defense arrangement. The four powers will emphasize in their communication to Moscow that the projected arrangement for the Middle East is to be built on a voluntary, co- operative basis and that participating countries will not be permitted to move troops across borders of other member states without specific permission.
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