Richards, Eisenhower’s Envoy, Arrives in Israel to Discuss U.S. Aid

James P. Richards, President Eisenhower’s mobile personal representative to the Middle East, arrived in Israel tonight for a 24-hour visit to discuss with Israel officials American aid to Israel and United States policy in the Middle East. Mr. Richards’ statement upon arrival was friendly in tone.

After consultations tonight with United States Ambassador Edward B. Lawson. Mr. Richards will motor to Jerusalem tomorrow for meetings with Finance Minister Levi Eskil and Foreign Minister Golda Meir. An Israel Government source said tonight that no announcement is expected on the conclusive results of the Richards talks by tomorrow night because the Cabinet cannot physically meet by then and reach a decision.

It was not certain tonight whether Mr. Richards would meet with Premier David Ben Gurion because of the short notice the Israel Government had of his arrival. The Foreign Ministry said it had beer told this morning that Mr. Richards might arrive during the day and did not receive final notice of his arrival until late in the day. However, the U.S. Embassy had Mr. Richards’ statement ready early this afternoon.

The last-minute nature of the visit is expected here to prove a political boon. Since it is manifestly impossible to obtain immediate Cabinet discussion and decision on proposals made by both the American mission head or Israel nor on a joint statement on the nature of the talks, there is likely to be no substantive statement.

This will undoubtedly help Premier Ben Gurion head off a political storm at next Sunday’s regular Cabinet meeting. When Mr. Richards’ visit was first broached, the leftist Mapam and Achdut Avodah–partners in the coalition government–voiced reservations about Israel joining the Eisenhower Doctrine program. Significantly, both Mapam members of the Cabinet are currently travelling abroad.

It is understood that Mr. Richards will be briefed on a number of proposals by the Israelis for which they would apply for foreign aid funds under the Eisenhower Doctrine program. The Israelis, who have already considered and discarded as embarrassing for the United States Government projects with political overtones such as development of Akaba-Mediterranean pipelines as alternatives to the Suez Canal route, will ask for aid with housing, employment and immigration programs.

Contrary to expectations, Mr. Richards’ statement gave the impression that the United States was not excessively concerned about Arab reaction to his visit here. The statement did not contain any reference to Communism, a sensitive point with the Israelis and their ties with Jewries in the various Communist countries.

(In Washington, the State Department announced today that President Eisenhower had ordered Mr. Richards to return for consultation on new foreign aid legislation for the Middle East. Mr. Richards is now expected back in Washington next Wednesday. The following day he is slated to attend a White House meeting of bi-partisan political leaders. The official announcement said Mr. Richards and his party will proceed from Israel to Tunis and Rabat, and will return to Washington from the Moroccan capital, Official sources noted that Mr. Richards will return without stopping in Jordan, Egypt, or Syria)