The Department of State today said that notwithstanding the fear and resentment felt toward Israel by the Arab states, they do not, in the opinion of the Department, possess the intention or the capability of adopting a policy of aggression against Israel.”
This view was communicated in a letter written on behalf of Secretary of State John Foster Dulles in reply to a query from Rep. Sidney Yates, Illinois Democrat, on the Iraq arms question. Assistant Secretary Thurston B. Morton answered for Mr. Dulles.
“The Department does not consider that the provision of arms to Iraq under a carefully devised program will be used for a ‘second round’ against Israel or construed as an invitation to the Arab states to renew a state of war against Israel, Mr. Morton said. He added that the United States Government has decided that “any effective plan” to defend the Near East from Communism must include the granting of arms to Iraq.
The State Department communication was in reply to a letter from Rep. Yates who suggested that it might be a wiser course if the Arabs were required to make peace with Israel as a prerequisite to the granting of arms to them.
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