Burma’s Premier Honored by City of Tel Aviv; Cheered by Crowds

Burma’s Premier was today made an honorary citizen of the city of Tel Aviv at a City Hall ceremony witnessed by thousands of Israelis who had turned out to line the city’s main streets and cheer Premier U Nu as he rode to City Hall, accompanied by Israel Premier Moshe Sharett. The streets along which the two Premiers rode were bedecked with Israel and Burmese flags and with large signs reading: “Welcome to Tel Aviv.”

Presenting Premier U Nu with a scroll of citizenship, Tel Aviv Mayor Abraham Levanon said that this scroll was a symbol of the friendship “between Tel Aviv and Rangoon, between Israel and Burma.” The Premier thanked him for the honor and spoke glowingly of the physical setting of the city and of its accomplishments in various fields, including education. After the ceremony, Premier U Nu inspected a police honor guard provided for him by Tel Aviv.

Speaking at a dinner given in his honor by Mr. Sharett last night. Premier U Nu told the guests of the Burmese people’s great admiration for the abilities of Israel’s leaders. “I have in the past only heard of your extraordinary ability, but now I have had the privilege of seeing it in operation at firsthand.” He told of his visit to the “Conquest of the Desert” exhibition in Jerusalem and how it had impressed him.

Earlier, Mr. Sharett had offered a toast to Mr. U Nu, saying “the friendship which exists between Burma and Israel, primarily the result of your constructive and imaginative policy, will, we hope, derive further strength and vitality from your visit here. Our countries achieved their long-sought and hard-won independence almost exactly at the same time.” Mr. Sharett said. “They both represent a bold attempt to revive ancient cultures against a background of modern civilization. They both face the most formidable and fascinating tasks of national, social and economic reconstruction.”