U.S. Rejects French Request for “big Three” Parley on Arab-israel Issue

The United States has rejected a French request for a meeting of tripartite foreign ministers on the Arab-Israel issue prior to the May 4 session in Paris of the NATO Council.

State Department spokesman Lincoln White told the press today that the American decision against the requested tripartite parley has been communicated to the French authorities here and in Paris. Mr. White said a possibility existed that the Middle East question might be discussed by the American, British and French foreign ministers at a side meeting when the NATO group convenes in Paris.

State Department sources said the United States did not desire a “Big Three” meeting on the Arab-Israel issue before the NATO session because of a view that such a meeting 1. Would not serve any useful purpose, and 2. Might interfere in some way with the current “peace mission” of United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold.

French Ambassador Couve de Murville last week called personally on Secretary of State Dulles to urge a “Big Three” Middle East conference prior to the Paris NATO gathering. Subsequently, the State Department made known it decided against the Ambassador’s request. The French Ambassador, reportedly, sought clarification of the U.S. responsibilities under the tripartite declaration for maintenance of a balance of power in the Middle East.

France and England seem to be anxious that the United States respond to Israel’s arms application in view of the continued heavy flow of Russian munitions to Egypt. From Paris it was reported that French Premier Guy Mollet was scheduled to meet with Israel Ambassador Jacob Tsur today to discuss additional shipments of Mystere jet fighters and other munitions to Israel. The French Government yesterday confirmed reports that 12 Mystere IV fighters have been delivered to Israel.