A State Department official today enumerated four prerequisites for Israel-Arab peace. Arthur Z. Gardiner, economic adviser of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs of the Department of State, told a meeting of the Israel Histadrut Associates that conditions which “must be met before genuine peace can be achieved” are.
“First and foremost, a solution of the Arab refugee problem second, a solution of boundary problems; third, a resumption of trade; and fourth, satisfaction on both sides of the border that neither side intends to undertake aggressive action against the other.”
Mr. Gardiner said that “Israel’s interests will best be served by policies leading to a conciliation with her neighbors.” It is in the interest of America, he declared, that people throughout the Middle East make better use of their available resources, achieve higher and ever-improving standards of living, and thus become a stabilizing element in world politics.
The State Department official emphasized that paramount American interests demand security and stability in the area and the maintenance of basic trust and understanding between the American people and the Arab people as well as the Jewish people.
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