Secretary of State John Foster Dulles is planning a flying visit to Premier Naguib in Egypt, and meetings elsewhere in the Middle East, in an attempt to strengthen American relations with the Arab states. The trip is expected to take place immediately after the Paris meeting of the Atlantic Pact Council in April.
The new move became known today following an expression of concern yesterday by President Eisenhower to Prince Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, over evidence of a “deterioration in relations between the Arab nations and the United States.” Mr. Eisenhower told the Prince he was determined “to restore the spirit of confidence and trust which had previously characterized” relations with the Arabs and that he hoped Arab leaders would work toward the same end.
Sources in the State Department said the Dulles visit would be part of the new Administration’s efforts to learn the problems of the Arabs and win Arab participation in the proposed Middle East defense command. The Department is gravely concerned over bringing the Arab states into an alliance against Communism without regard to the fact that the Arabs’ technical state of war against Israel continues. A prime desire of the Eisenhower Administration is to alter the view held by many Arabs that America is showing favoritism toward Israel.
ISRAEL INVITES SECRETARY DULLES TO VISIT JEWISH STATE
It could not be learned if Mr. Dulles will visit Israel during his trip to the Middle East. However, it was learned today that Israel Ambassador Abba Eban has conveyed to Secretary Dulles an invitation to visit Israel whenever the Secretary plans a trip to that part of the world. The invitation was extended by the Ambassador on behalf of Israel Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett. Mr. Dulles was appreciative of the invitation and told the Ambassador he hoped he would have the opportunity of seeing the situation at first hand.
A high State Department official said today that neither President Eisenhower nor Secretary Dulles has any intention of “cold-shouldering Israel,” although he said he could not confirm or deny press reports that a major change in American policy has occurred in the Arab-Israel area.
This official, who cannot be identified by name, said it would be a mistake to draw a conclusion that the State Department will practice favoritism. There is no reason for any Near Eastern country to feel it might be overlooked by the United States, he said, because there is a feeling of friendship for all parties. Expressions by Secretary Dulles at a recent press conference and by President Eisenhower to the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister should be taken at their face value, he said.
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