American aid

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33520, 29 April 1974, Page 8

American aid

.X.Z P.A • K€ ut c r—L opyr’gh?> WASHINGTON. April 28. President Nixon’s proposal to resume economic aid to Egypt appears likely to receive a favourable response from a Congress anxious for peace in the Middle East and for diminished Soviet Inion influence there. • The Administration ts asking Congress for SUS3SOm in [military and security aid for: ’ Israel, and for $U5207,500 for, Jordan. In addition, there is a re- 1 quest for a special SUSIOOm fund to be used for peace-, keeping activities, refugee aid, and development projects, and the White House says that some of this money > could be used for develop'ment projects in Syria —

presumably after the fighting between Syria and Israel stops.

Congressional resistance to the Administration's foreign aid measures has hardened in recent years, and there is no doubt that Mr Nixon's over all request for SUSSIBOm in economic and military assist ance overseas will be heavily pruned. But his planned SUS2SOm to help Egypt to clear the Suez Canal, rebuild her war shattered cities, and feed her population is expected to be seen as an investment for peace.

The request comes at a time when relations between Moscow and Cairo hate cooled and diplomatic ties have been re-established be tween Egypt and the United States.