Israel Ambassador Abba Eban said on a CBS television interview today that the State, Department had not lifted the embargo on arms for Israel as Israel is still denied export permits for weapons. He termed the State Department’s assertion that arms permits were granted Israel as spurious” and “artificial,” pointing out that such items sold Israel were insignificant supplies which had no bearing on defense.
Mr. Eban said any prolongation of this imbalance brings war nearer. He called particular attention to the danger of the Arab air superiority. The Ambassador stressed that even if given a security guarantee Israel would be in need of arms. He cited the case of Poland in 1939. However, he pointed out that the 1950 Tripartite Declaration is no effective guarantee against aggression.
Mr. Eban warned if Syria shoots when and if Israel resumes work on the Jordan River project, responsibility for what happens thereafter would rest on Syria. He said the water project was fully consistent with the Johnston Plan and that Ambassador Eric Johnston at an early date will elicit further information and clarify the status of the plan.
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.
