Top-ranking officials of the State Department were reported today to be defending the idea of supplying American munitions to Arab states as necessary for the “stability” of the Near East, although members of Congress are of the opinion that the revolutions last week in Egypt and Syria indicate that the presence of armed forces in these lands is the cause rather than the remedy for instability and chaos.
It is understood that the differences of opinion between members of Congress and State Department officials with regard to sending arms to the Arabs was discussed privately at a joint meeting yesterday. Present at the meeting were Acting Secretary of State Walter Bedell Smith and Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Henry A. Byroade. Among the members of Congress who attended the discussion were Senators Herbert H. Lehman and Irving M. Ives, as well as a number of members of the House of Representatives from various states.
Although the session was held behind closed doors, it was learned today that Gen. Smith and Sec. Byroade sought to justify arms supplies to Arab countries. They were strongly challenged by the Senators and Congressmen who represented both parties and various faiths.
An official summation of the views of the State Department representatives will probably be made in public in the near future. In the meantime all indications point to the fact that these representatives assured the members of Congress that the State Department would see to it that any munitions sent the Arabs would be for the purpose of internally strengthening Arab ruling groups against Communism and not for use against Israel.
Members of Congress believe that Arab governments have not proved themselves devoted to peace or freedom. They cite the continued and intensified Arab economic warfare and blockade against Israel and the absence of freedom within the Arab countries. The Congressmen present at the discussion, it was learned expressed the opinion that shipments of munitions would jeopardize rather than enhance chances for peace.
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