Moscow’s “warning” Will Not Deter U.S. from Action on Arab-israel Issue

The State Department made known today that the United States and its allies do not intend to allow a Soviet veto in the United Nations Security Council to block Western action to bring about Arab-Israel peace.

The State Department views Moscow’s statement of yesterday as an effort to turn world public opinion against any action in the Arab-Israel dispute except through the Security Council where the Soviet Union has veto power. State Department spokesman Lincoln White said today that the United States wanted to work through the United Nations if it possible could, “But,” he said. “should the United Nations become paralyzed, as it has in the past due to Soviet action, then there’s no alternative to working outside the United Nations.”

U.S. officials said the United States has no intention of rushing armed forces to the Arab-Israel area. Instead, it was said, the United States is concentrating on diplomatic efforts to obtain an Arab-Israel compromise settlement. The United States is also seeking, jointly with England and France, immediate and long-term measures to deter aggression by either side.

These officials made it plain that the United States will not allow itself to be restricted by Soviet veto in the UN Security Council if it becomes necessary to act with military forces to prevent war. Russia’s statement on the Arab-Israel controversy is considered particularly hypocritical because Moscow helped create the present crisis by providing munitions to Egypt.

Sen. Walter F. George, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, commenting on Moscow’s “warning” against sending foreign troops into the Arab-Israel area without prior agreement and United Nations approval, said today he knew of no Anglo-American plans to use troops in that area.

“If we become involved there, Russia would directly or indirectly but ultimately directly–intervene,” he stated, adding that he is against sending U.S. troops into the Middle East lest Russia seize on such action, as an excuse to move its own armies. He emphasized that he retains hope that an Arab-Israel settlement can be reached. The Western nations should do “all in their power to help them reach an agreement,” he said.

“Our representatives in the Middle East area have told the committee they feel that an accommodation can be brought about,” he stated. “We should do all we can to further attempts to negotiate a settlement.”

Sen. George D. Aiken, member of the Foreign Relations Committee, called the Moscow statement “pure propaganda.” He said “I haven’t heard of any plan to send troops to the Middle East,” and added: “The Russians are trying to increase their influence among the Arab states.”