JERUSALEM, (JTA) — Of-
ficial Israeli sources declared
that the Jordan River irrigation
project for the Negev is "a
matter of life or death" for
Israel. They made the statement
following reports that the new
Iraq-Syria military merger has,
as one of its goals, the preven-
tion of that project.
Reports from Damascus
quoted Syrian Information Min-
ister Sami Al Jundi as saying
that the main duty of the Su-
preme Defense Council of the
merged military forces would
be to seek to counteract the
Jordan River project. He also
described the merger as "a de-
fense necessity" for mainten-
ance of peace in the Middle
East, and said it would be fol-
lowed by complete political
union.
Reports from Egypt quoted
newspapers as denouncing the
Syrian-Iraq union as "cheap
Baathist propaganda"—a refer-
ence to the Socialist-oriented
Baath party which fought off
attempts by Egypt toward an
Egyptian-Syrian-Iraq union un-
der control of Egyptian Presi-
dent Nasser.
Al Ghoumhouria, the Cairo
newspaper which reflects Nas-
ser's opinion, charged that the
Syrian-Iraq union "is not aimed
at the Zionist enemy but at the
enemy of Zionism," Egypt. Al
Akhbar. another Cairo news-
paper, asserted that the union
"is good news for • Israel and
bad news for the Arabs."
* * *
LONDON, (JTA) — King
Hussein of Jordan announced
at a press conference in Am-
man, his capital, that he may
turn to the Soviet Union for
purchase of armaments and
military equipment if he does
not get such material from
"our friend s, the United
States, Britain and France," ac-
cording to Amman dispatches
received here.
The King said that he had re-
cently "struck up new friend-
ships" with the. USSR. "Our
American friends," he stated,
"are fully aware of our opin-
ions. Jordan has no right to
ask the United States to change
its policy, and our relations
with the U.S.A. are still strong,"
he added. He explained that
if he turns to the Soviet Union
for certain material, it will be
because the equipment Jordan
needs is not available in the
West. Jordan and the Soviet
Union established diplomatic
relations two months ago.
Discussing relations with the
Jewish Leader Is
Elected Senator in
Moroccan Parliament
CASABLANCA—The election
of David Amax., Secretary Gen-
eral of the Council of Moroccan
Jewish Communities, as a sena-
tor in the Moroccan parliament,
was announced Tuesday.
He was elected a senator of
the Chamber of Councillors
which, together with the Cham-
ber of Representatives, consti-
tutes the Moslem country's par-
liament.
He was elected on the ticket
of the Front for Defense of
Constitutional Institutions, the
Royalist slate. He was recently
elected first vice-president of
the Rabat Chamber of Com-
merce and Industry.
His election brought to two
the number of Jewish members
of parliament. The other is Mey-
er Obadia, a member of the
Chamber of Representatives. It
was also announced that Geor-
ges Niddam, a member of the
Casablanca Jewish Committee
and a Municipal Councillor, has
been elected a member of the
Prefectoral Assembly for the
Casablanca region.
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Soviet Union, the King stated
that the world situation is not
as tense now as it had been,
and that the Communist threat
to his country is not as serious
now. He said it was still too
early to tell whether Russian
military or economic aid would
follow diplomatic recognition.
But, he said, Jordan is changing
its military equqipment, and
now wants "quality."
Nixon Sheds Light on Trip to Middle East
In reply to a series of in-
quiries addressed to him by
Congressman Seymour Halpern
(R., N.Y.), former Vice Presi-
dent Richard Nixon said that
during his recent visit with
Egyptian President Nasser he
informed him that "his best in-
terests would be served by con-
centrating his admittedly great
talents for leadership on prog-
ress for his own people rather
than on adventures abroad."
The exchange of correspond-
ence between Halpern and this trip, I would have extended
Nixon was made public by the it to include Israel and several
Congressman. from New York countries in that area as well.
this week.
As you are no doubt aware, I
Nixon wrote that it is now his have been a long-time supporter
conviction that the U. S. would of American cooperation and
have been better served "if we asisstance to the Israeli govern-
had participated in the financ- ment, and Prime Minister Ben-
ing of the Aswan Darn."
Gurion, who has been a guest
In reply to Halpern's question in my home, is a personal
why he also did not visit Israel, friend. I hope that within the
Nixon replied:
next year I shall have the op-
"As far as a visit to Israel is portunity to plan another trip
concerned, I can assure you abroad in which I can include
that had I had more time on a visit to Israel."
Historic Tribute Dinner
Thursday, November 7, 1963-7:00 p.m.
Fountain Room, Masonic Temple
Distinguished Guests
His Excellency
Dov Joseph
Minister of Justice
of the State of Israel
Heroic Defender of Jerusalem
Dr. Dov Joseph
Toastmaster
The Honorable
George Romney
Max M. Fisher
President,
Jewish Welfare Federation
Governor of Michigan
For Reservations, Call
DI 1-5707
$6.00 Per Person
Dietary Laws Observed
Auspices of Detroit Israel Bond Committee
9-THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS—Frida y, October 18, 1963
Israel Determined to Carry Out
Jordan River Plan; Warns Arabs