OLD SORES IGNORED British arms sales to Arabs booming

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33091, 5 December 1972, Page 14

OLD SORES IGNORED British arms sales to Arabs booming

(By

ARTHUR GAVSHON,

of the Associated Press, through

LONDON, December 4. Ignoring old insults and new injuries, Britain is patiently mending diplomatic fences with key Arab countries using trade, arms and political promises as its tools.

Government authorities say that relations with Libya, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia are improving steadily, in spite of some deep differences over past and present policies. Without fuss or fanfare, talks have been started with the Left-wing government of Syria for a restoration of ties broken five years ago, when Britain was accused of help-

ing Israel win the Six-Day War. The broad picture emerging shows British approval for millions of pounds of arms sales to Egypt, and British backing for a huge military buila-up -in Saudi Arabia.

In addition, Britain is helping the fledgling states of Kuwait, Bahrain and the Union of Arab Emirates to stand on their own feet in a perilous region which the Russians have been eyeing for its oil resources. FRIENDS OF AMIN There seem to be plenty of paradoxes in Britain’s gestures to the Arab world. In the case of Libya, President Gadaffi’s regime has taken over Britain’s prized oil investments. It has sheltered fugitive hijackers. It has helped finance the Ugandan Government of President Amin, even as he was embarrassing Britain by expelling tens of thousands of Asians. Yet, British-Libyan business has rarely been better. In the first 10 months of 1972 more than s7sm worth of British machinery, capital goods, small arms and other exports went there, exceeding a 1971 Affluent Libya thus became Britain’s best customer in the Arab world. “DEFENSIVE” WEAPONRY In the case of Egypt, President Sadat's Government has wort Britain's authority to buy undisclosed Quantities of Saracen armoured cars, Scorpion light tanks, Rapier aftti-altcraft missiles, Swingfire anti-tank rockets, helicopters, Lightning interceptor fighters, antisubmarine Weapons and Vosper-Thor-fleycroft patrol boats. All these are classified as “defensive'' weapons and Egypt's interest in the British French Jaguar strike plane,

. certain long-range missiles and big tanks has been discouraged. Yet British officials acknowledge that the Egyptians probably have all the military hardware they can use and they suspect that most of the new orders, which may take months if not years to deliver, probably will go to Libya. The Egyptians and Libyans will form a union in 1973. Britain is well aware also that President Sadat has not yet abandoned his policy of military co-operation with Russia. Israeli complaints against the deals have been brushed aside. In the case of Saudi Arabia, the British still are engaged in delivering elements of a complete airdefence system, including aircraft and tanks. Yet they have made no attempt to influence the Saudi Arabians against be* friending and supporting President Amin’s Ugandan regime which, with its expulsions of Asian settlers, gave Britain a major immigration crisis. COUNTER TO UNITED STATES A Foreign Office official; Mr William Craig, recently made a quiet visit to Damascus during which he discussed the possible restoration of diplomatic relations. Formally, the Foreign Office says that it is for Syria to start action for a resolution of ties; because Syria ruptured them.

This was when Damascus joined with Cairo in 1967 in accusing the British of joining Israel’s air attacks on Arab countries.

London, of course, denied the charge, for which no firm evidence has ever been prodiicod But’ now Britain Is no longer standing on its pride or principles about who should move first.

It takes the view that noth-ing-politics, ideology or anything else—should stop two countries from dealing with each other.

Some time next year the Foreign Office expects, if things go according to plan, to be able to re-open its windows to Damascus. One argument London has using, with telling in Arab capitals, is that ap a member of the enlarged

Common Market, Britain will be better able to use its influence in favour of good relations with the Arab world. The Arabs reckon that the Europeans can help them counter what they see as an American sympathy with Israel.