Evening star., 1951-05-24

} amount we nave prOVlQeU III Clle
Icurrent fiscal year.
| Some aid is also proposed fol
Western Germany. which by its
support of occupation forces Is
assisting the defense effort anc
which may later make more di-
rect contributions to the common
defense. In Austria and Trieste
which cannot directly contribute
to the rearmament effort, but
whose economies are handicapped
by special difficulties, economic
aid must also be continued tc
maintain political stability. Ger
tain economic assistance for Yu-
goslavia is proposed to help meet
its minimum requirements In
maintaining strength against the
threat of Soviet imperialism.
MIDDLE EAST.
The countries of the Middle
East are, for the most part, less
developed industrially than those
of Europe. They are, nevertheless
of great Importance to the security
of the entire free world. This
region is a vital link of land, sea
and air communications between
Europe. Asia and Africa. In the
free nations of the Middle East
L lie half Of the oil reserves of the
world.
No part of the world is more
directly exposed to Soviet pres
sure. The Kremlin has lost nc
opportunity to stir these troubled
waters, as the postwar recorc
amply demonstrates. Civil war ir
Greece; pressure for Turkish con-
cessions on the Dardanelles; spon.
sorship of the rebellious Tudef
Party in Iran; furthering of fac
tional strife in the Arab states and
Israel-all reflect a concerted de-
sign for the extension of Soviet
domination to this vital area.
There is no simple formula fol
increasing stability and security ir
the middle East. With the help o1
American military and economic
assistance, Soviet pressure has al
ready been firmly resisted in Tur-
key and the Soviet inspired guer-
rilla war has been decisively de-
Heated In Greece. But the pressure
against the Middle East is unre-
mitting. It can be overcome only
by a continued buildup Of armed
defenses and the fostering of eco
nomic development.
To these ends, am recommend
ing $415 million in military aid, fol
Greece. Turkey and Iran; por-
tion of this aid will be available
for other Middle Eastern nations
if necessary. I am also recon-
mending $125 million in economic
aid for Middle Eastern countries,
exclusive of Greece and Turkey for
whom economic aid is provided as
part of the program for Europe
This amount also includes pro-
grams of technical assistance to
Libya, Liberia and Ethiopia, three
independent states Of Africa whose
economic problems are similar to
those of the Middle Eastern coun-
tries.
Continuing military aid for
Greece and Turkey will make pos
sible the further strengthening OF
these countries large and we'll
trained armed forces. which have
already displayed their valiant
resolution in the fight for freedom
in Korea. In Iran. continuing mil
itary aid is required to help build
/ internal security and defense
together with economic aid to
help sustain the Iranian economy
and give impetus to the much
needed longer-term process OF
economic development for the
benefit of the Iranian people.
In the Arab states and Israel
the fundamental requirement is
a regional approach to the basic
problems of economic develop
ment. This is urgently needed to
reduce existing tensions, especially
Through the orderly settlement OF
homeless refugees. The program
for the Arab states will expand
needed food production through
the development of land and
water resources. The program for
Israel will help that country to
maintain her economy during an
especially trying period of her