Evening star., 1949-05-22

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the military victories which the
young country has scored over its
neYghbors. Both the governments
and the people are baffled, wound
ed in pride. distrustful Of the
United States in particular and
confused as to even what their
own internal policies should be.
Along with this newer torment is
the older one of rivalries and
jealousies among each other. 1t
is an old pattern and probably will
exist until today's poverty is
translated into tomorrow's pros
perity-in terms of greater agri-
cultural production, lesser de-
velopment of industrial potential
and improved standards of health
and living conditions.
Studied Years Ago
The major public works projects
thus far considered involve the
great and small river valleys OF
the Jordan. Tigris and Euphrates
with some of their tributary
streams. Since the flow Of each of
these river systems crosses inter-
national boundaries there must be
international agreements. Inter
national agreements presuppose
conditions Of peace between the
affected countries and reasonable
foundations of good faith in years
to come. Obviously then the first
step is establishment Of a firm
peace between Israel and the
neighboring countries; the next
step a series of agreements be-
tween the various government in
volved. The further step Is flnanc-
ing, probably on limited term
loans to be liquidated eventually
through American capital ex-
penditures in the area and through
the hoped-for raising Of the in
ternal economic fortunes OF the
countries affected.
The projects considered for the
three great river systems were
studied in most concrete form IN
years prior to and during the war.
Each of them involves several steps
and alternatives.
The beginning Of the Jordan
Valley scheme contemplates the
diversion of the Litani River in
Lebanon, now : flowing uselessly
into the Mediterranean. away
from the mountainous Lebanese
coast through a tunnel into the
Jordan Valley. A further step
contemplates utilizing the waters
of the Yarmuk River which arises
in Syria and Trans-Jordan and
flows into the Jordan just below
the Sea of Gallilee. For these two
steps agreement would be needed
between Lebanon, Syria, Trans
Jordan and Israel.
An additional project consid-
cred is that of raising salt water
from Haifa by about 80 feet and
then taking advantage Of a nat
ural 700-foot drop to Beisan and
thence down the Jordan to the
Dead Sea. Installation OF electric
pumps and flow controls could
thus build up pressure for hydro
electric power and a continual
supply of salt water into the Dead
Sea. The benefit would be in
power, potashes and other chem
icals for manufacture OF fertil-
izers and similar products.
Tentative estimates for these
various parts of the Jordan scheme
total about $3.50. 0.000. 900, but a
livelihood for nearly a half million
people is envisioned as an end
result.
For the Tigris. three major
projects have been studied. The
most costly probably would be at
Bekhme Gorge In Northern Iraq
where the waters of the Greater
Zab River. major contributor to
the Tigris, would be harnessed be-
hind q 300-foot concrete dam to
provide both hydroelectric power
and controlled irrigation. An es-
innate Of $4,000. 1000 has been
placed on this project and agree
ment would be necessary between
Turkey, where the Zab rises. and