Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-07-20

worried over the future Of Europe's
oil supply. resisted Zionist pres
sures until the United States. not
without q policy fight OF its own.
decided 10 back the creation Of an
independent Israel.
Thus Arab Distrust
Right there the United States
guaranteed for the future the
resentment and distrust Of the
entire Arab world. When the Arab
nations surrounding the newly
created State OF Israel attacked
and were thrown back by the de-
termined forces Of the new Jewish
nation. Illustration was added 10
resentment. Implacable enmity
became the Arab rule, with the
open and as yet never modified
pledge adopted by all Of the Arab
nations Israel shall be destroyed"
Since the establishment OF
Israel. and the new nations signal
success at asserting her right TO
survival, United States policy
toward the Middle East might be
described as aimed to ID work for
the eventual acceptance of Israel
by her Arab neighbors in peace
and economic cooperation. (2)
orient the Middle East with the
West as much as possible, includ-
ing Arab participation In the
Western alliances against COM
munist. expansion; CD promote
area-wide development Of re-
sources. such as water. minerals,
agriculture and industry to bring
economic stability and a higher
standard Of living to the poverty
ridden region: and az to keep out
Russian influences from the area,
an aim as much or more strategic
than theological. and one pursued
by Western Europe since the days
Of Car Peter the Great.
At no time has United States
policy opposed the growth and
development Of Arab nationalism.
which might more accurately be
described as pan-Arabism. Rather
has 1t been encouraged and fos-
tered, with diligent attention to
economic assistance and other
means calculated to bolster the
shaky political and economic
structures Of brand-new nations
just delivered from centuries of
foreign domination.
But the Identification Of the
United States with the continued
existence Of Israel has worked
to antagonize the nationalistic
elements among the Arab peoples
elements which appear to be
clearly q majority in every Arab
nation from Morocco to Saudi
Arabia. When the Egyptian
Army's 0iicers were forced to
drink the bitter dregs Of humilia-
ton in their defeat by little Israel.
forces were set In motion that
brought about the overthrow of
the Egyptian monarchy and the
establishment of q republic"
that is. in practice, a military
dictatorship ruled by Canal Alb
del Nasser.
At this point began a series
Of backings-and-f1llingS on the
part of the United States that
established the basis for the
often-heard charge of "incon-
sistency." At first apparently ia
vorable to the new regime in
Egypt. the State Department &C
lively supported Nasser's plans
for economic improvement. In
particular, the United States
backed the Number One project,
the Aswan High Dam. and ar
ranged for financing it.
Arms and Aswon
Whatever the reason, however,
Secretary Of State Dulles grew
distrustful of the Egyptian inten-
tons. When Col. Nasser asked
for arms assistance in 1855,
Washington delayed. After the
passage Of many months. the
Egyptian dictator brought chagrin
to the West by announcing a
deal to purchase arms, including
jet aircraft. from the Soviet bloc.
Shortly thereafter. Mr.. Dulles
caused the withdrawal of the
Aswan Dam offers. In turn, and
as an open reprisal, Col. Nasser
nationalized the Suez Canal and
brought about military interven-