Eisenhower Envoy Feels Shaky Palestine Pact Will Prevent War

By Pierre J. Huss, International News Service

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Eisenhower Envoy Feels Shaky Palestine Pact Will Prevent War By PIERRE J. HUSS asked them to get together, and Q. Is the prestige of President World Copyright, 1954, I have no intention of doing so. Eisenhower in the countries you By International News Service In the tense political atmosphere dealt with more telling than the UNITED NATIONS, N. Y.

(INS) - which still pervades the area, I anti-American feeling and propa- Eric Johnston said today after his just don't think it possible to per- ganda we are told prevails in the Latest trip to the Middle East for suade the Arab countries to sit Middle East? down to a conference table with A. I'm sure it is. Both the Arabs President Eisenhower that in his Israel.

We are therefore dealing and the Israelis seem to feel that though shaky, will prevent an out- opinion the Palestine armistice, with them separately the Arab the President meant what he said break of war between Tsrael and countries on one hand and Israel when he stated a the Arabs. on the other. partial friendship tona of "im- toward them Johnston, acting as President 9.

To what extent did you sense both. Eisenhower's special White House or become aware of Soviet med. On specific matters, of course, emissary to win Arab-Jewish co- ding or pressure in the Arab states there is still resentment in operation in developing a Middle or Israel against any enterprise one East "TVA" by harnessing the stemming from American interest?

Israel is bitterly camp or the other. For example, unhappy about Jordan River A. That's a hard one to answer American arms aid to Iraq.

The and transforming because Soviet meddling, as you Arab states on the other hand, are arid land into productive farms, know is the quiet, termite kind. equally unhappy about the fact to Palestine has just completed his third trip Various people who ought to know that Israel is still receiving more He grappled with what has been told me that Communist influence US. economic aid than they are. called "an impossible task" by was active in the region, but l These things, however, just can't say that I ran headon into demonstrate the truth of Abe Lin- personally negotiating with and it during the relatively short time coln's remark that "You trying to win over the key leaders i was there. can't of the nations directly concerned please all the people all of the with the Jordan Valley TVA" We can only assume that the time" and do not reflect any fund Soviet Union would be quick to amental lack of confidence in our ard israel is trip wreat if such an opportunity arose disposition to try to do the right fruitful; his next is hoped to be a Remember that this area is about thing by all concerned decisive one. one hour's bomber time from the Most of the people I talked with Johnston in an exclusive ques- Soviet Union; it is immensely rich were responsible leaders in their tion and answer interview with in oil; it is the historic land bridge own countries and they all assured this correspondent, canvassed the between Asia, Africa and Europe. me of their faith in the President's outlook for President Eisenhower's Q.

What area and which coun- intention to enforce his policy of "peace project." The questions tries would benefit and be directly impartiality. I might just add that and answers follow: involved in the Jordan Valley Q. On the basis of your recent project? discussions, what real possibilities A.

The whole historic valley of do you see for outracing the shaky the River Jordan would benefit. armistice situation with a work- Waters now flowing to waste in i able scheme for developing the the Dead Sea would be used to Jordan Valley? develop electric power and irri- 1 A. I think the chances are very gate several hundred thousand good.

First of all, while the armis- acres of now barren land. Some tice situation is admittedly shaky, thing like a hundred and •fifty I personally believe that the states- thousand people-including a large men of both the Arab nations and number of homeless Arab refugees Israel are determined to exercise from Palestine-could be given Here's a refreshing 6 Delicious F restraint.

They seemed to me to solid livelihood in the valley if the be fully conscious of the immense project were carried out. responsibility which rests upon Q. How is the project related to them, not merely for local peace keeping peace in the Middle East? but for world peace. So if your A.

I'm glad you said "keeping" question implies that the armis- peace rather than "making" • Orange • Lemonade • Grape • Strawb • Lime • Cream tices may break down with result peace, because while we hope and ing open hostilities, I do not agree believe that a sensible division of that this is likely-possibly, yes, the Jordan's waters will help to but not likely. prevent quarreling and conflict be- Therefore I think there is every tween the valley states, we certain- chance that we shall be able to ly are not trying to use this devel get something going in the Jordan opment scheme to bring about a Valley despite the tensions which political peace between the three exist.

Q. Did your recent Palestine Israel.

Arab countries and their neighbor, visit actually result in a percep- As you know, water is more tible advance toward common precious than oil out there in one ground where the spokesmen for of the hottest, deepest valleys in Israel and Jordan, for example, the face of the earth, and even sat down together or indicated the best of friends, as our own such a possibility? western - state experience shows, bottled by Sidney Bottling Worl 426 S.

Ohio Ave. Phone And available at your grocer's, s Ice station and restaurants throu out Shelby and surrounding coun A. No, it did not. We have not will quarrel and fight over water.

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"Eisenhower Envoy Feels Shaky Palestine Pact Will Prevent War," Sidney Daily News, 29 July 1954. Covering Palestine archive, CP-1954-006. https://coveringpalestine.org/archive/cp-1954-006