Secretary of State John Foster Dulles was asked today for “an expression from the Administration to the effect that Israel is being included in our regional defense planning.” The request was made by Congressman James Roosevelt, of California, in a letter to Mr. Dulles.
Rep. Roosevelt also called for a termination of arms shipments to Iraq. However, he made it known that he felt if the shipments were to be continued, “it is difficult to see how we can justify the exclusion of Israel fighting forces from our program.” He asked Secretary Dulles to suspend further arms shipments to the Arabs until they agree to the machinery of negotiation with Israel and agree to call off boycotts and blockades.
The Congressman said a clearer program in the Near East was required and that the course which the U.S. Government is now pursuing may have the “appearance of coolness towards Israel and may be interpreted in the Arab world in a manner opposed to the best interest of peace and cooperation.” He expressed the conviction that the present State Department policy “will neither strengthen our defenses in the area nor will it win us new friends.”
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