Premier Levi Eshkol expressed the hope here tonight that the day was not far off when Israel’s Arab neighbors would recognize the fact that there was ample underdeveloped land in the Middle East, which could be “a source of life” for many refugees and other “fate-stricken people.” He made his statement at the opening here of the second International Conference on Science in the Advancement of New States. The first such conference was held here three years ago.
The current meeting will deal with agricultural planning for developing countries. Top officials from 29 countries are attending the conference, including Antonie Meatchi, vice-president of Togo; D. K. Jawara, the Premier of Gambia; agricultural ministers, scientists and experts. Among the other countries represented are Nepal, Niger, the Philippines, Senegal, Cameroun, Dahomey, India, Sweden, the United States, Ethiopia, Uganda, Thailand, Holland, France, Britain and others.
The Premier said that much of the uncultivated Middle East land could be made fertile in a short time, with little expense, and that, when the Arab countries recognized that reality, “Israel will be ready to share with its neighbors its experience in settling refugees and in reclamation of wastelands.” Deputy Premier Abba Eban presided at the opening session,
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