The Arab League scheme to divert Jordan River waters to frustrate Israel’s massive irrigation projects, seemed today on the verge of collapse, following the resignation of Dr. Sobhi Kahhala as chief of the Arab Jordan River Exploration Authority. Other officials of the Authority are slated for dismissal, it was reported here today.
Contention between Egyptian President Nasser and other Arab rulers has precluded, to date, united action on Jordan River plans. The water diversion committee, organized three years ago, has done little to implement its plans. Yesterday Saudi Arabia and several other states, announced they are rescinding their financial commitments to the project. Reports from Beirut indicate new conflict between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which may be difficult to end.
Prospects for another “summit meeting” of Arab leaders such as the one held last fall to plan anti-Israel, pan-Arab strategy, now seem remote. According to reports, the Egyptian commander of the United Arab Military Command, established to defend the Jordan River diversionary projects, is ready to dissolve the group. Failure to obtain adequate financial support for the Arab Jordan River undertakings was reported as a major reason for the current crisis. Only 26 percent of last year’s budget for the project’s military unit has been paid to date.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
