West Awaits Washington’s Lead on Israel’s Request for Border Guarantees

Western European capitals are awaiting a lead from the United States Government on Israel’s request for renewed international guarantees for her borders, it was learned here today following a meeting of the Israel Cabinet, at which Premier David Ben Gurion reviewed the latest developments concerning Israel’s efforts to strengthen the position of the country in view of the present Middle East crisis.

It is believed that the Premier reported at the meeting on the results of the negotiations conducted during the last few weeks by Shimon Peress, Director General of Israel’s Defense Ministry, in Paris, London and Washington–and in other Western capitals–in connection with possible arms sales to Israel. It is also assumed that he reported on the talks which Mrs. Golda Meir, Israel’s Foreign Minister, held in Paris, Rome and London.

Observers here believe that Israel’s efforts to purchase arms in the democratic countries met with various degrees of success, with the best results in Paris. In the other capitals, there seems to be an improvement in the attitude towards Israel’s request for arms sales, but there is still some hesitation there before the completion of the present emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly, where the Middle East crisis is under discussion.

On the whole, informed sources consider Mrs. Meir’s talks very successful, having effectually presented Israel’s evaluation of the present situation in the Middle East, and having achieved similarity of views on the subject.

The political activities of members of the Israel armed forces were also discussed at the Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet reiterated its 1954 decision, prohibiting any political or party activities by soldiers.