The United States is phasing out a wide range of research projects in Israeli universities and institutions because funds for the projects have been re-appropriated for Arab refugees in the Gaza Strip and West Bank to help cover the United States share of contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, It was confirmed today at the highest official levels here.
An estimated $7 million to $8 million per year in counterpart funds, earmarked originally for research grants to the Israeli institutions, is being diverted, the sources said. Hundreds of projects linked with the U.S. urban crisis–Including education of the disadvantaged, nutrition for the poor, water pollution, air contamination and cancer research–are being “phased out.” A State Department official disclosed that all American research in Israel financed under Public Law 480 counterpart funds was gradually being terminated and will come to an end in fiscal 1973. The decision was made by the State Department and the Agency for International Development.
Concern was reportedly developing not only among the estimated 1,200 Israeli scientists and technicians seeking solutions for vital problems but also among such United States Government agencies as the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The U. S. Office of Education has already discontinued one Hebrew University project to help American schools educate the culturally deprived. In jeopardy also, it was reported, are such programs as a Hebrew University effort to find a vaccine against malaria for the U. S. Army medical corps. Another imperiled project was one requested by the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries after Israel discovered much information about pollution of water and protection of fish.
The crisis has led the Hebrew University to open a special office in Washington to seek alternative financing from foundations and individuals so that Important research projects can be continued despite the cancellation of United States government funds. The cancelled American funds are being diverted to UNRWA to pay Arab camp salaries and for purchase of food from abroad for the refugees. Five-year projects at Hebrew University are in danger of being terminated at a point before valuable conclusions can develop. Research at the Haifa Institute of Technology and the Weizmann Institute of Science at Rehovot also is affected.
Despite the severance of the research grants to Israel for the indicated purpose, the State Department has just asked large new appropriations for Arab universities. The State Department included in the authorization bill for foreign aid now before Congress a specific request for $9.5 million for the American University at Beirut. This would help pay salaries for faculty members who reportedly include many anti-American and pro-Fatah teachers. Another new State Department request is for $200,000 for the American University in Cairo. In addition, AID is asking a $1 million equivalent in Egyptian currency from counterpart funds for the Cairo University. AID has refused to allocate counterpart funds sought by Hadassah. the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, to improve its medical school at Hebrew University.
Last January, the Johnson Administration transmitted to Congress a budget amendment for fiscal 1970 “in the amount of $3 million for facilities for graduate students from developing countries at the Weizmann Institute” but this request was not supported by the U. S. Budget Bureau in its latest recommendations to the Nixon Administration.
State Department officials were asked why vital research of possible immediate value to the United States was being terminated in Israel for lack of funds while a new appropriation had been requested for operating expenses and new buildings at the American University in Beirut. They replied that it was important to keep Lebanon friendly to the United States and to follow the guidance of Rep. Otto Passman. Louisiana Democrat, on the Beirut appropriation proposal. Rep. Passman Is chairman of the House appropriations committee which allocates funds sought by the State Department and AID. He favors the Beirut appropriation.
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