Britain To Continue Sending Limited Quantities Of Arms To Arab States Under Treaty

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 April 1950, Page 5

Britain To Continue Sending Limited Quantities Of Arms To Arab States Under Treaty

LONDON. April 21 (Rec. 6 pm).—-Britain will continue supplying moderate amounts of war material to Arab States under treaty arrangements, but she has refused a request by the Israeli Government to be allowed to purchase arms.

This policy, it is stated, is based on the British Government’s belief that the Arab States are not planning an aggressive war and that Israel can secure military stocks from the United States and Czechoslovakia.

Answering questions in the House of Commons. Mr Ernest Davies, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said that since the United Nations arms embargo was lifted in August, 1949, limited quantities of British armaments had been sold to Egypt, Persia, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The position was not quite the same regarding Israel and other countries, since Britain had treaty obligations towards Egypt, Iraq and Jordan.

According to the best information available, he added, Israel already had

sufficient war material for her internal security.

It is reported that Israel approached both Britain and the United States with a request for arms. Britain felt that the United States was in a better position to deal with the request. It is not known what arms Britain has sent to Arab States since the embargo was lifted. It is believed, however, that they include some jet fighter aircraft and tanks.

It is firmly denied in London that Britain has any intention of sponsoring an arms race in the Middle East. The amounts supplied to Arab States would be insufficient to allow them to invade any territory, and it is stated that if they showed any inclination to invade Israel the shipments would be stopped. The quantities sent so far simply permit Arab States to defend themselves and maintain internal security.