Confidence that America will progress rapidly on the formation of a Middle East command was expressed yesterday by Under Secretary of State James E. Webb.
(A report from Moscow today said that the Soviet Government last night warned Israel and the Arab countries against joining the Middle East command, which it described as “hostile to the U.S.S.R.” The warning was contained in a note handed to the diplomatic representatives of Israel and the Arab countries in Moscow by Andrei Gromyko, Acting Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union.)
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Webb said that intensive efforts will be made to create the Middle East command. He pointed out that it will not be a proposition of agreement on every detail with every nation involved. He emphasized that success would depend on finding an area of co-operation and enlarging on it.
Mr. Webb said the sending of Edwin A. Locke, Jr., into that area as aid coordinator indicated the facets of efforts with the nations and peoples of the Near East. He stressed that he had real hope for progress, but noted that it will be a working program which the signing of an agreement will not accomplish. He admitted that there are many difficulties in the undertaking.
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