LIFTING OF EMBARGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26774, 18 May 1948, Page 5

LIFTING OF EMBARGO

UNITED STATES ARMS TO MIDDLE EAST

PRESIDENT STUDIES QUESTION WASHINGTON, Rec 9 p.m. May 17. President Truman is studying the question of lifting the arms embargo to the entire Middle East, said a White House official. The matter of exchanging diplomatic representatives with Israel is also under consideration. The arms embargo, covering the entire Middle East, was proclaimed in December. ~ ~ White House said the Presidents recognition of Israel was not “ a snap decision,” and was consistent with the President’s support of partition. The Presidential secretary, Mr Charles Ross, said the British had been notified in advance that the United States was contemplating recognition. Mr Ross added; “ I cannot tell you the exact moment the President reached his decision, but he had had it in mind for some time. The President has been constantly in favour of partition.” From Cairo, a report states that the supreme guide of the Moslem Brotherhood, Sheik Hassan El Banna, cabled President Truman declaring that United States recognition of the Zionist State equalled a declaration of war on the Moslem world, and “ this crooked, deceptive policy ” would cause permanent Arab hostility. A London message states that the Karachi correspondent of the Daily Telegraph reports that a great wave of resentment passed over Pakistan at the United States “ hasty recognition ” of the Jewish State of Israel.