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Eisenhower and Dulles Discuss Soviet Strategy in the Middle East

December 28, 1955
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President Eisenhower today consulted with Secretary of State John Foster Dulles for the second consecutive day on major world problems, including the Middle Eastern situation, in connection with policy formulation and statements to be made in the President’s State of the Union message. The message will be delivered to Congress at the opening of the new Congressional session next month.

Government sources thought it likely the President and Mr. Dulles discussed ways of countering Soviet Mideast strategy. In this context, according to these sources, Israel’s appeal for arms might have figured. State Department authorities feel that announcement of arms sale to Israel after the Israel attack on Syrian positions on Lake Tiberias would further antagonize Egypt and undermine strategy armed at wooing that country away from Communist influence.

The State Department officially refused today to comment on the alignment of Saudi Arabia in the new tri-national command under the Egyptian war minister, Gen. Abdel Hakim Amer. The Saudi Arabian ambassador conferred with George V. Allen, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, late today.

Government sources, however, indicated fear that Saudi money will be used to keep Jordan out of the Baghdad pact and to pay for an increased flow of Communist military supplies. It was pointed out that Egypt may function as the pipeline to channel Communist arms to Syria and Saudi Arabia, making direct deals between Saudi Arabia or Syria with the Communists unnecessary. The three Arab nations hope to enroll Jordan under their command and have offered arms aid to the Jordan government.

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