Delegation From Egypt

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30447, 22 May 1964, Page 3

Delegation From Egypt

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May. 21. A delegation from the United Arab Republic will meet the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) on Tuesday to put Egypt’s view to the Government on the diversion of the waters of the River Jordan by Israel. The delegates propose to present to the Prime Minister the declaration of the 13 member countries of the Arab League adopted at the head-of-state meeting in Cairo in January. The two mam points in the declaration are the diversion

of the Jordan to irrigate the Negev desert and the position of a million arab refugees in the care of the United Nations Relief and Works Administration.

The scheme to divert the Jordan was suggested by President Eisenhower’s personal representative, Mr Eric Johnston, in 1952. The Arab Countries refused to take part in the scheme because they thought that it would entail recognition of the State of Israel. The first waters are due to flow at the middle of the year.

The delegation will be led by President Nasser’s political counsellor, Mr Hussein ZulFikar Sabri. With him will be the Ambassador of the U.A.R. In Australia, Mr S. N. Abdel Hamid and three other advisers.

The U.A.R. has no diplomatic representation in New Zealand. . The delegation will visit 15 Pacific and Asian countries. Officials can recall only one visit by an Egyptian diplomat since the country gained its independence' soon after the war.

The delegates will arrive at Wellington Airport oh Sunday afternoon. They will spend Monday in talks with officials of the Africa and Middle East division of the External Affairs Department and will meet Mr Holyoake on Tuesday.. They will return to Sydney oh Tuesday afternoon. Mr Holyoake said tonight Israel had already- conveyed its views on the diversion of the waters of the Jogjan through its Minister (Mr D. S. Tesher).