Preparations Reported Complete for Nixon Arrival in Israel

As President Richard Nixon received a tumultuous reception on his arrival today in Cairo, Jerusalem police officials reported preparations had been completed for handling the President’s landing in Israel Sunday.

The commander of the southern region, Haim Tavori, said Israelis were being encouraged to come and welcome the President when he arrives in Jerusalem, but he added cryptically that the President would come “in a caravan of a certain length through roads that have already been chosen.” He said that, considering the relatively short advance notice of the visit, the Jerusalem district police were well prepared to handle the challenge of keeping public order during the Nixon visit.

The Ministry of Communications cited the “unprecedented arrangements” made to allow the President–and the press–speedy communication through various channels, to almost any place on earth. A direct telephone line will connect the King David Hotel, where the President will stay, with the White House, the Ministry said. Special telephone, telex, telegraph, radio and television facilities also will be in place, both at the King David Hotel, at another Jerusalem hotel, and at Ben Gurion Airport, for the army of media people accompanying the Presidential group.

Officials said a final time-table for the Nixon visit had not yet been completed. A proposal to invite the President to speak at a special Knesset session was dropped because it proved to be impossible to squeeze the event into the crowded 25-hour Presidential visit.

LEADERS TO WELCOME NIXON AT AIRPORT

Nixon will be received at the airport by President Ephraim Katzir, Premier Yitzhak Rabin, Foreign Minister Yigal Allon. Ambassador Simcha Dinitz and their wives. The two Presidents will exchange greetings and children from the nearby town of Lod will sing and present their orchestra. Strict traffic restrictions will be in effect on the Lod-Jerusalem road as the President makes his way to Jerusalem.

Officials said it was obvious that Nixon will visit Yad Vashem, the memorial center for the Holocaust. Political discussions will probably be held Monday. Mrs. Nixon will have a special schedule of her own. It has been reported that the White House had no objection to a tour by Mrs. Nixon of the Old City of Jerusalem.

(Speaking from a balcony in Cairo, President Nixon said today he had come to Egypt to work for economic progress and for a peace “which is permanent and just and equitable.” He told thousands of cheering Egyptians that his visit would “cement the foundations of a new relationship between two great peoples.”)

Jerusalem is already covered with American flags and diplomatic traffic has been heavy around the King David Hotel. Police said today they had refused “for security reasons” three requests for demonstrations during the Nixon visit. (By Gil Sedan)