The prospects of an Arab-Israel peace were discussed here today by Israel’s Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett with U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dallas who is planning to leave soon for a flying visit to the Middle East. The question of American aid to Israel was also discussed by the two statesmen.
Mr. Sharett, it is understood, made an effort to acquaint Secretary Dulles with the Middle East situation “as far as Israel sees it.” He also surveyed, in a general way, possible negotiations to lift Egypt’s blockade of the Suez Canal against Israel.
Following his talk with Mr. Dallas, Mr. Sharett made it known that the Secretary of State has included Israel on the itinerary of his forth coming Middle Eastern trip. The Israel Foreign Minister said that he hopes Mr. Dallas will stay in Israel as long as he can and learn at first hand its problems.
Earlier today, Mr. Sharett conferred at the State Department with Henry A. Byroade, Assistant Secretary of State for Near, Eastern Affairs. After the conference, which lasted more than an hour, the Israel Foreign Minister said that the Israel delegation at the United Nations “will certainly take full account of such changes as have come about” affecting Israel in the Soviet Union’s peace offensive. He pointed out that he had noted the incident involving the exoneration of the Moscow doctors. “But,” he stressed, “It depends on how far it goes.”
ISRAEL WILL SPEAK AT U. N. ON NEW SOVIET POLICY, SHARETT HINTS
Mr. Sharett said that “in all probability” Israel will have something to say at the United Nations General Assembly about the Soviet Union’s actions of the last several months. He indicated he was awaiting further evidence of a reversal of the Anti-Israel trend evidence which may come as part of the current Soviet-Peace Offensive
The Russian question did not figure in the conversation with Mr. Byroade, the Israel Minister said. Generally, he stated, he “compared notes” with Mr. Byroade on a number of subjects including the blockade of the Suez Canal against Israel, American aid to Israel, and the question of an Arab-Israel peace.
Asked if he had any comment on reports that the Administration is developing a new Pro-Arab policy, Mr. Sharett said that he hoped American friendship with the Arabs would “make for a more effective peace approach.” He denied a report that a secret peace talks have been carried on between Egypt and Israel by an intermediary. “We are always ready for peace,” he declared.
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