Hussein, Nasser Discuss Iraq

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32383, 24 August 1970, Page 13

Hussein, Nasser Discuss Iraq

(N ZP.A-Heuttr—Copyright) CAIRO, August 23. President Nasser has been discussing Egypt’s strained relations with Iraq during the summit talks he and King Hussein of Jordan are holding on Middle East peace moves.

Informed sources said that the topic was prominent on ; the agenda of the three-daj •talks, scheduled to wind up today when the King flies home to Amman. The Iraqis attacked both Egypt and Jordan for accept ing America’s plan to try to bring peace between Arab and Israeli

Both Cairo and Bagdad charged each other with harassing their nationals. The talks between President Nasser and King Hussein have ranged over political, military and international issues resulting from their acceptance of the United States peace proposals. The Iraqi Ambassador (Mr Nasser El-Hadithy), was officially informed yesterday that Iraq was held responsible for the safety of 200 Egyptians detained by Iraqi authorities while trying to cross the border to Kuwait

An Egyptian announcement said that the Egyptians were inhumanly treated and their passports confiscated. The announcement added they were kept in an arid area under severe conditions.

In Tel Aviv, the Israeli Cabinet will meet today to discuss who will initially spearhead its team to planned peace talks with the Arabs. Favourites for the job are the United Nations Ambassador (Mr Yosef Tekoah), or the Ambassador to Washington (General Yitzhak Rabin). There was no indication whether a decision would emerge from the meeting Even if one is made it might not be announced immediately. Israel has stalled on the Mmination issue partly be ■ause of alleged Egyptian -breaches of the 90-day cease fire which came into effect along the Suez Canal on August 7 under the United States “stop .shooting and start talking” plan.

Observers believed, however, that Israel now did not ‘plan to hold up the talks any longer despite fresh accusations in the last 48 hours that Egypt had been continuing to build new missile sites within the canal standstill zone. General Rabin said in a radio interview yesterday that he expected further United States pressure on Israel to agree to a peace settlement acceptable to Washington if Moscow and Cairo were ready also to accept any such accord.