Report Arab Armies, Air Forces on Full Scale Alert, Expect Attack on Jordan

Arab armies and air forces are on a full scale alert in case a new Arab-Israel war erupts as a result of expected heavy Israeli air raids on Jordan towns and villages, according to reports reaching here. Some diplomatic sources here believe that one possible explanation for the wave of reports from Cairo and Damascus alleging that Israel is preparing an attack is that the Arabs may be trying to commit Russia into a “Middle East Czechoslovakia.” Reporter Colin Legum of the London Sunday Observer reported from Jerusalem that Arab anxieties are not supported by Western diplomats who have been asked to check on Israeli troop movements. Mr. Legum himself said he had no difficulty in visiting Israel’s frontiers and saw no military activity.

(According to a report reaching Washington from Amman, UN peace envoy Dr. Gunnar V. Jarring visited Jordan’s capital reportedly to calm Arab fears of an Israeli assault. He reportedly told Egyptian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Riad in Cairo that Israel’s Foreign Minister Abba Eban assured him no raid was planned. In Cairo, Mr. Riad reportedly passed on Dr. Jarring’s comments to officials of the 14-member Arab League gathered there to discuss the results of Dr. Jarring’s mission.)