Soviet Policy Appraised

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32296, 14 May 1970, Page 17

Soviet Policy Appraised

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, May 13

The Soviet Union will allow aie Israelis and the Arabs to fight i' xit over the Suez Canal without inte. veiling—at least, for the present, according to authoritative Communist diplomatic sources in London.

But Russia is ready to fight from the ground, and with MiG jets flown by Russian pilots, any Israeli attacks on Egypt’s rear, they add; the Russians will “hit back” if key Egyptian centres and Soviet Union installations behind the canal are attacked by Israeli aircraft.

The sources, usually well-i informed on the Kremlin’s major policy moves, leave little doubt that Moscow has taken a firm decision to intervene directly in any clash that could endanger Russian [Sam 3 ground-to-air missile [sites; its new radar installations and MiGs; such key

targets as the Aswan Dam; and probably shipping in the key ports of Port Said and Alexandria, where Soviet Union vessels are crowding the overworked facilities. Asked about the 12,000 Soviet Union advisers and military men recently reported to be in the area, the sources said that this figure might be “a bit too high,” but admitted that it ran to about 7000.

The sources added that the Soviet Union Government stood firmly committed to Egypt, and President Nasser in particular, to defend Egypt against Israeli attacks, and that under these terms, Russia would, in effect, have !to intervene in the event of [attack to ward them off. { But this was limited to .the “hinterland,” leaving the ‘ Suez Canal area for the Arabs [and Israelis to battle it out ■among themselves. ’ Russia cannot allow the Israelis to attack these inI stallations, let alone risk the [loss of valuable new Soviet [Union air defence equipment, [much of it still on the secret list and never before used [abroad, the sources say.