Timmons. Deputy Assistant to the President. was disappointing. In essence it said that the matter was under intensive study and that one of the considerations involved in a decision was: How can we accompany any agreement with Israel with some corresponding gesture to friendly Arab nations. hopefully to alleviate the refugee problem which is causing instabilities in the Middle East? I do not understand the relevance of linking the longstanding commitment on the desalinization plant to the Arab refugee question. The desalination plant on its own merits will contribute greatly to stability in the Middle East. The Arab refugee question is one of the issues to be determined through direct negotiations between Israel and the Arab states in the effort to achieve peace in the Middle East. I have introduced legislation in the past two Congresses which would allow the U.S. Government to enter into an agreement with the Israeli Government to share the cost of the plant.