Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall urged today in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Senate approve a resolution envisaging an international nuclear desalination undertaking to promote Arab-Israel peace. Mr. Udall suggested to the Committee that investment in the proposed plan for regional development cooperation would save military expenditures. He welcomed “Republican initiatives” and endorsed project “MEND,” advocated in the resolution offered by Sen. Howard H. Baker, Jr., Tennessee Republican.
The resolution would express the sense of Congress in support of the general idea and leave implementation to the Executive Department of the Government. The tentative plan calls for two nuclear desalination plants in Israel and one in Jordan, which would generate electricity in addition to providing desalted water for agriculture and industry.
Mr. Udall stressed that the proposal would contribute toward Arab-Israel peace by “creating jobs for refugees, increasing agricultural productivity, improving Arab-Israel relations, and advancing the role of the United States as a peacemaker in the Middle East.”
Mr. Udall added that “cost of water from large units is estimated to be from 22 to 35 cents per 1,000 gallons, which can be afforded in the Middle East, considering the intensive agriculture there and the purity of desalted water.”
Sen. Baker testified that “MEND” (Middle East Nuclear Desalination) would promote Arab-Israel peace by offering benefits to both sides through mutual cooperation. The international corporation visualized “would provide a non-national third party with which both the Arabs and Israelis could talk.” He reported that 52 other Senators have registered support for the resolution.
The Senator said steps could be taken for preventing nuclear materials from being used for military purposes.
He outlined financing plans involving the international financial community through a “Comsat-type approach.” He said governments and individuals would be attracted to a financially sound undertaking. Sen. Albert Gore, Tennessee Democrat, a member of the Committee, said he approved of “MEND” but had reservations about “Comsat” financing because private organizations gained financing in this way at the expense of the taxpayers.
A statement submitted by former President Eisenhower supported the resolution. Mr. Eisenhower said “MEND” would bring “a more abundant life to some millions of people and reduce the tensions from which they are generated.”
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