Eban Says Nasser’s May Day Speech Strengthens Resolve to Fortify Suez Line

Foreign Minister Abba Eban said yesterday that the May Day speech of President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt had strengthened Israel’s resolve to fortify itself along the Suez Canal cease-fire line. Col. Nasser declared in Cairo on Thursday that the shelling of Israeli positions on the canal’s east bank would continue and was a phase in an all-out military effort to drive Israel back from the waterway. He threatened to strike Israeli civilian targets.

Mr. Eban said in a Kol Israel radio interview that Israel’s willingness for peace continues but that Col. Nasser not only avoided any mention of peace in his address but actually rebels against the idea. “This is the speech of a man for whom the mere idea of a relationship of peace and mutual respect is not to be countenanced,” Mr. Eban said. “This speech must, of necessity, dispel any illusion that may still prevail in any capital in the world that the possibility of peace still exists in the conscious thoughts of this ruler.”

Israelis meanwhile ridiculed Col. Nasser’s claim that 60 percent of the Bar Lev Line, Israel’s fortifications on the Suez Canal, had been destroyed by Egyptian shelling. And some observers claimed to see in the Egyptian leader’s May Day speech a defensive note that indicated he realized that Egypt was not ready for all-out war with Israel. They said that while Col. Nasser claimed Israel’s April 30 commando raid into southern Egypt was a “complete failure” because it was anticipated by Egyptian intelligence, he also noted that such raids were “unexpected” and could not always be avoided. The observers suggested that the May Day speech was aimed at militant elements in Egypt including military officers who have become restive in recent months.