Secret U.S. Testimony on Arab-israel Issue Released in Washington

George V. Allen, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, told Congress in secret testimony that the State Department hopes it can persuade Egypt to relax the Suez Canal blockade against Israel shipping. This was revealed today when the House Appropriations Committee made public testimony given in executive session before the committee some time ago by Mr. Allen.

Mr. Allen told the committee that “the Egyptian government has not relaxed, unfortunately, its strict blockade against Israel ship passing through the Suez Canal.” He said “we feel this is an unjustified antidote, and have said so publicly several times. We still are hopeful that an improvement might be achieved in that field.”

It was noted by Mr. Allen that the Arab League states also extend a secondary blockade against Israel by boycotting and refusing to do business with firms that attempt to trade with Israel as well as the Arab states.

“In the Near East,” Mr. Allen said, “the most difficult and perplexing problems, on which, I regret to say, there has been no material progress, have been those involving Arab-Israel relations. We have, however, maintained our position with regard to Jerusalem, and we have sought to strengthen the position of the United Nations truce supervision organization in preserving order along the Arab-Israel frontier.

“Continuing efforts are being made through Mr. Eric Johnston, the personal representative of the President, to promote the development of an integrated power and water project in the Jordan Valley as a means of settling Palestine refugees and reducing area tensions. Political tension and economic under-development nevertheless continue to be the major problems. I am, unfortunately not able to report that there has been any improvement in direct relations between Israel and the Arab states. However, in indirect ways certain possibilities for improvement can be seen,” Mr. Allen stated.