Dayan on Way to U.s.; Says Talks Will Deal with Israel’s Security Problems

Defense Minister Moshe Dayan departed from Lydda Airport for the United States today under a tight blanket of security. He told newsmen before his departure that his high level political talks in Washington would deal with Israel’s security problems, the main question of which is the cease-fire. Gen. Dayan warned “the Arabs” that if they attempted to cross the Suez Canal” and attack our forces, they will be severely beaten and will leave physical evidence of their defeat.” Gen. Dayan is scheduled to meet with top administration figures in Washington Friday and Saturday. Although no official announcement has been made here or in the U.S. as yet, it is considered virtually certain that he will meet with President Nixon. The official purpose of his American visit is on behalf of the United Jewish Appeal. He will meet privately with UJA leaders and will address a UJA dinner in New York Saturday night.

Reporters asked Gen. Dayan if he intended to bring up in Washington his plan for a re-negotiated cease-fire agreement with Egypt based on a mutual reduction of forces on both sides of the Suez Canal. The Defense Minister replied that “if the subject is raised, I shall bring up my personal opinion.” He added that, “in any case I will deal with security problems, the main subject of which is the cease-fire question.” He denied that he had a “shopping list” of Israel’s military needs to present to the U.S. “These things are done through regular channels,” he said. Questioned about economic problems and Israel’s ability to pay for her new American armaments, Gen. Dayan replied, “For me the cashier is (Finance Minister) Pinhas Sapir. He seems satisfied these days. I assume he can control payments.” Gen. Dayan was accompanied to the airport by Chief of Staff Gen. Halm Bar Lev, other senior Army officers and senior members of the Defense Ministry.