Israel presses U.S. for big aid increase

Press, 29 December 1979, Page 6

Israel presses U.S. for big aid increase

NZPA-Reuter Washington The Israeli Defence Minister (Mr Ezer Weizman) will press President Carter today for a decision on his country’s request for increased American economic and military aid. but says he is prepared to be disappointed. Mr Weizman is in Washlingv.n to argue for Israel’s requests for $3400 million in the fiscal year that begins next October 1. nearly double the $lBOO million granted in each Of the past two years. He said yesterday he [hoped the matter would be [resolved after he sees Mr [Carter at tiie White House I today.

But Mr Weizman conceded. alter an hour-long meeting with the secretary of State (Mr Cyrus Vance) that he really did not expect to get the whole s34oomillion. He told reporters earlier, after similar talks with the American Defence Secretary (Mr Harold Brown) at the Pentagon, that he would not be surprised if American aid to Israel was not increased at ail next year. In addition to the annual $lBOO million • Israel is receiving $3OOO million in United States military aid over three years for expense* related to' the IsraeliEgyptian peace treaty signed .early this year.

-I Mr Weizman told report - ’ ers several times that instability in Iran and else- ) where in the Middle East t showed that Israel and -'Egypt had again proved itheir value a* American friends m the area. But he said he had not re- > peated Israel’s offer to let ? the United States use air t and naval bases for military I’operations in the Iranian I hostage crisis. Israeli officials said Mr 1 Weizman’s hastily scheduled ■ trip was sparked by concern i that the Carter Adminisi.tration had not reached a - decision on Israeli aid even ■ though the American Budget i process was nearly comniete.