Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion met for two hours today with Norwegian Foreign Minister Halvard Lange for talks which the Norwegian Cabinet member called “exchanges of views but not negotiations.” He added the talks were “most useful for the Norwegian side.”
The talks took place during the second day of Mr. Ben-Gurion’s visit to Norway, the second country he is visiting during a month-long tour of five Scandinavian countries. The Norwegian Minister said he listened “with the greatest interest to the discussion by the Prime Minister of the situation in the Middle East. We also discussed the world situation in general and especially the problems of East-West relations. We also considered the situation of the African and Asian countries.”
In reply to questions from newsmen, Mr. Lange said: “In connection with Middle East problems, we discussed the Arab refugee problem and the next United Nations session which may discuss this matter. It is too early to answer now as to what Norway’s position will be on this point. We will discuss this matter at Helsinki at the meeting of Scandinavian Foreign Ministers. If the point is not raised by others, I will raise it.”
NORWAY’S FRIENDSHIP FOR ISRAEL STRESSED AT DINNER FOR BEN-GURION
The Prime Ministers of the two countries exchanged assurances of friendly relations and continued cooperation tonight at a formal dinner of the Norwegian Government for Mr. Ben-Gurion. Stressing the fact that Israel and Norway shared the characteristic of being small countries dependent on their human, rather than their physical resources, Premier Einar Gerhardsen said: “We are genuinely pleased that relations between Norway and Israel are very friendly and it is our desire to still further develop the good relations between our countries. I am pleased to be able to assure you of this.”
Mr. Ben-Gurion replied with similar assurances and with an expression of belief that the two countries will, “with all their hearts, help to the limit of their possibilities, all other nations” to create societies “striving towards a new, better human society, based on brotherhood, freedom, justice and peace.” He added that the friendship of the two countries was founded “on these aspirations and this common purpose.”
The Israel Prime Minister, speaking in Yiddish, made an address last night to the Jewish Community of Oslo at the Kehila House. In addition to his immediate audience of 300 Jews, the speech was heard by an assemblage of Jews in Trondheim to which it was transmitted by a special telephone line, thus making it possible for nearly all of Norway’s Jews to hear him.
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