President Giovanna Gronchi of Italy hinted today, following his return from Turkey where he and other Italian officials discussed Middle East problems with leaders of Turkey, that a basis for solution of the Israel-Arab conflict might be found in acceptance by Israel of a limitation of its immigration policies.
He offered that suggestion, based on a reciprocal Arab acceptance of Israel’s existence as permanent, in commenting on a communique cover in the Italian-Turkish talks. According to the communique, Israel-Arab relations and the possibility of Italian-Turkish initiative toward peaceful conditions in the Middle East were among the principal themes discussed at the meetings in which Italian Foreign Minister Giuseppe Pella also took part.
“The Israel question continues to be the perturbing element in the Middle East,” the communique declared, adding that “Italy and Turkey recognize the necessity for a prompt start for a search for a solution.” The Italian leader stressed that the forthcoming NATO conference “must discuss” Middle East peace and security, although the area is outside of the geographical boundaries of the NATO alliance.
Mr. Gronchi suggested that Israel might substitute for its present principle of unlimited immigration a policy of restricting immigration to emergencies such as the case of the Egyptian Jewish refugees.
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