ARMS SHIPMENTS TO MIDDLE EAST

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26122, 26 May 1950, Page 7

ARMS SHIPMENTS TO MIDDLE EAST

Action By U.S., Britain, And France PLACE IN OVERALL STRATEGY IN COLD WAR (Rec. 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 24. The United States, Britain and France had agreed to ship limited quantities of arms to Middle Eastern countries for strictly defensive purposes, officials reported to-night. The three Powers had decided that this was one means cf supporting their overall strategy in the cold war with Russia. The policy would presumably apply both to the Arab countries and to Israel. Officials said that the decisions in effect would uphold Britain s moves in sending arms to the Arab countries with which she has treaty obligations. Israel had asked for heavy military equipment from the United States. Until now she has been refused on the grounds that such supplies were more urgently needed in West Europe. Officials said that the agreement would not automatically assure Israel of a favourable reply to her request. The policy would apply only to such arms as the three Powers felt they could send safely. It would not give Middle Eastern countries any higher priority than they now had. Reliable diplomatic informants said that the conference of Foreign Ministers, Mr Dean Acheson, Mr Ernest Bevin, and Mr Robert Schuman, thoroughly discussed the question. It was reported that they heartily agreed on limited shipments of arms, needed to bolster internal security only.

JOINT DECLAR ATION

Britain, France, and the United States to-day warned Israel and the Arab States that if they find any of these preparing to violate frontiers or armistice lines, the three countries will take action "both within and without the framework of the United Nations.” In a joint declaration on arms purchases. published by the French Foreign Office to-day. the three Governments said that requests for arms or war material from the Middle East countries would be considered in the

light of the need of those countries tor maintaining a certain level of armed forces for internal security and their own legitimate defence, and that of the whole region. Middle East countries already getting arms from Britain. France, and America had given an undertaking that they did not intend aggression on any other State. To-day’s declaration followed the recent London talks between the Big Three Western Foreign Ministers.