Eban Says Direct Negotiations is Limit in Trying to Reach Compromise with Arabs

Foreign Minister Abba Eban told a group of American visitors last night that direct negotiations is as far as Israel is prepared to go to reach an “honorable compromise” with the Arabs. He said Israel will again inform the Big Powers of this stand and ask them to convey it to the Arabs. Mr. Eban, addressing the B’nai B’rith Board of Governors leadership conference, said the primary obligation of Big Power statesmanship was to re-enforce Israel and help maintain a balance of power. Asked from the floor what Ambassador Yitzhak Rabin had brought back with him from Washington, Mr. Eban said he had asked the Ambassador not to reveal anything and he himself would not. Ground was broken today at Bayit Vegan in Jerusalem for a new quarter million dollar center for the children’s home sponsored by the B’nai B’rith Women of America. Minister of Welfare Dr. Josef Burg attended the ceremonies. Mrs. Betty Shapiro, president of the B’nai B’rith Women, said the home was begun in 1943 and has since helped more than 600 disturbed boys become healthy citizens.