State Department sources hinted today that consideration of Israel’s arms request may be delayed by Israel’s military action this week against Syria.
It is the opinion of the State Department, it was explained, that the reprisal raid by Israel was an act in which weapons were employed for offensive uses. Before approving the Israel arms list, or any portion of it, the U.S. Government must be convinced that the American arms will be used for defensive purposes only, the State Department sources said.
State Department spokesman Lincoln White said today the United States in awaiting the report of the Syrian-Israel Mixed Armistice Commission on the Israel-Syrian military clash and that “it would therefore be premature to make any comment on what the Ultimate position of the United States will be.”
“The United State, of course, regrets the loss of life in this as in previous incidents,” Mr. White said. He pointed out that the Mixed Armistice Commission will make its report to the United Nations and that Syria has requested a Security Council meeting. The United States, he said, as a member of the Security Council, would presumably receive the report of the Mixed Armistice Commission.
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