MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28133, 23 November 1956, Page 12

MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

“America Mostly

To Blame”

EDUCATIONIST’S OPINION

(New Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE. November 22.

America's contradictory and confused policy was largely responsible for the recurrent crises in the Middle East, said Mr J. L. Wilson, director of tutorial classes for the University of Sydney and editor of its current affairs bulletin, in Gisborne today. On his way back to Australia, after a year in Great Britain studying adult education, Mr Wilson is going on to Wellington for talks with the of the Adult Education Service before sailing for Sydney. “The United States Secretary of State. Mr Dulles, has been a disaster for the United States and still more of a disaster for Britain and Mr Wilson said. “The United States has always backed Israel strongly, but the United States has not been able to see Israel's position against the whole background of Middle East affairs. ‘This shortsighted view inevitably produced a short-sighted, inconsistent policy which has been a major contributing factor to every crisis in the Middle East. “The most noticeable development is a growing irritation with the United States, which, in British opinion, has sold us down the river.

“American actions in the Middle East have weakened the prestige and interest of the West without achieving any good results for either the Western Powers or for the United States.

“Australia and New Zealand have, in addition, their own peculiar problem. that of facing both ways at once.” Mr Wilson said. “We must rely on a strong alliance with the United States for our defence, while at the same time we stand firm, by our loyalty and gratitude, to Britain. "Nasser is adopting the attitude that he is the victor, Britain and France the vanquished nations, that he now has them at his feet, and is holding his hand only out of- regard for the United Nations, with whom he has taken up the attitude that he will call the tune, and the United Nations. mii c t accept the terms he dictates,” said Mr Wilson.