The Phoenix Jewish news., 1962-09-07

their own resources to buy Soviet
arms. The amendment expressed
the sentiment of Congress but is
not mandatory or binding on the
executive department.
The President asserted that it
was not moral issue because
some countries receive aid from
both East and West. He stressed
that the United States must make
a judgment as to what serves the
long-range interests of the United
States and feels that American aid
Is consistent even if the nations
buy Soviet arms, in that it helps
them maintain sovereignty and in
dependence.
EGYPT WAS not specifically
named but it was clear that Egypt,
India and perhaps other countries
were in the frame of reference of
the statement.
The Keating-Halpern Amendment
established the principle that
America should concentrate on aid
ing nations that do not divert their
own resources for purchase OF
Soviet military equipment.
Rep. Seymour Halpern, N e w
York Republican, who sponsored
the amendment in the House, has
formally requested President Ken
nedy, in connection with the COM
ing appropriations measures, to
prepare an explanation for Con-
gress on "the whole perplexing
question of why we ignore IsraePs
military needs while indirectly
subsidizing Egypt's purchase of
late-model Soviet jets, tanks, sub
marines, and so FORTH
HALPERN TOLD President Ken
nedy that the arms imbalance be-
tween Israel and the Arab states
"has reached a dangerous point
where Nasser is tempted to con-
slider reckless adventures. He told
Mr.. kennedy that "ISrael is the
only anti-Communist nation on
earth, threatened by Soviet-equip-
ped forces, which has turned to us
pleading for the right to purchase
balancing arms and gotten no fav-
orable response.
A high State Department Off
cial, meanwhile, indicated that the
United States would like to see the
Arab refugee problem settled be-
fore encouraging any peace talks
between the Arabs and Israel.
Harlan Cleveland, assistant sec
retary of state for international af-
fairs, said in letter to Rep. Leon
ard FarbStein, New York Demo
crat, that the State Department
favors Arab-Israel peace but "our
reservation about the present Is
raeli initiative relates to its timing
and hence to its utility"
CLEVELAND said the State De-
partment considers the Arab refu-
gee problem of primary import
ance because of the continuing hui
man suffering, inherent tension,
and financial burden. Since DR..
Joseph Johnson, special UN ennis
sary to the Middle East, is ap-
preaching a Crucial phase" in
United Nations negotiations to
solve the Arab refugee deadlock,
it "seems to us that the maximum
efforts of the United States, as well
as of the countries in the area,
should be devoted to seeing these
important negotiations through to
successful conclusion"
Assistant Secretary of State
Frederick G.. Dutton declared that
there was little the State Depart
ment could do to prevent Arab
countries from denying entry to
American citizens who visit Israel
first.
VICE PRESIDENT Lyndon b.
Johnson, meanwhile, did not visit
Israel on his tour of Middle East
and Mediterranean countries which
included Lebanon, Cyprus, I n,
Greece and Turkey. The idea OF
including Israel in his itinerary
was rejected because such a visit
might have been "misinterpreted"
by the Arab states, it was learned
here.