State Department sources said today that U. S. economic and technical assistance, withheld from Israel for over five months, is being resumed. Details of the resumption are in final stages of discussion here and in Jerusalem.
A spokesman for the International Cooperation Administration said U.S. technical assistance personnel will now be authorized to return to Israel. About $25, 000, 000 for Israel in the fiscal year ending June 30 was earmarked, but only a small fraction had been allocated.
Secretary of State John Foster Dulles met with Israel diplomats this week-end for almost two hours. Theodore Kollek, Director General of Israel Prime Minister’s office, participated in the discussion.
Israel Ambassador Abba Eban referred to the joint communique issued after Israel Foreign Minister Golda Meir’s meeting with Mr. Dulles last month, when it was agreed for the two governments to remain in touch. The Israel diplomat later said the discussion covered virtually everything that is happened in the last several weeks. He stated that he has not observed any change in the United States policy toward maritime passage in the Akaba Gulf, and has the impression that policies previously enunciated by the United States remain in force.
Israel’s views on her Suez rights, Akaba Gulf, events in Jordan and the Gaza Strip, and renewal of U. S. economic aid, were discussed during the meeting, he said. Mr. Kollek had come to the United States to deal with economic issues, the Ambassador revealed, adding that he saw no obstacles to early resumption of U. S. aid.
Mr. Eban refused to comment on reports of alleged State Department displeasure over the visit of the U.S. oil tanker Kern Hills to Elath. He said there was no conflict in interpretations by Israel and the United States of the Akaba Gulf transit issue.
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