Israel is “prepared to reach an agreement” with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in spite of a suggestion by the Bank’s head, Eugene R. Black, for denationalization of the Dead Sea potash works, Finance Minister Levi Eshkol declared here today.
Last week, Development Minister Mordchai Bentov told Parliament about that request from Mrs. Black, who was here recently to lay the groundwork for a bank decision on Israel’s long-spending application for a multi-million dollar back loan. One of the projects to be financed from the proceeds of such a loan, if granted, would be expansion of the potash industry.
Without denying that Israel prefers not to denationalize the potash industry, Mr. Eskhol stated today that Mr. Bentov’s remarks were “incorrectly quoted.” He and Mr. Bentov, said the Finance Minister, feel that “Mr. Black’s view, favoring private ownership of the Dead Sea potash works, would not, as far as we are concerned, stand in the way of Israel receiving a loan from the World Bank.” Mr. Eshkol said Mr. Black was assured that Israel “attaches great importance” to the expansion of the Dead Sea works.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
