Nasser, Kremlin Leaders to Discuss U.S. Peace Proposals, More Soviet Aid to Egypt

President Gamal Abdel Nasser was warmly welcomed on his arrival in Moscow this morning by President Nikolai Podgorny and Premier Aleksei N. Kosygin. Knowledgeable sources here said more Soviet military aid for Egypt probably topped the agenda of his talks with Kremlin leaders but they are believed almost certain to discuss the latest United States peace initiative for the Middle East as well. Col. Nasser’s secret visit to Moscow last January was followed by the shipment of Soviet anti-aircraft missiles, sophisticated radar, more jet.fighter-bombers and Russian pilots to Egypt. There was no explanation given for the postponement of the first round of talks between President Nasser and Premier Kosygin which were to have begun today. They were postponed until tomorrow afternoon. But flags flew and bands played at Moscow airport as President Nasser, one of the few foreigners to hold the title of “Hero of the Soviet Union,” alighted from his plane and inspected a guard of honor. He drove to town through streets decked with flags and signs of welcome. There was no indication whether President Nasser’s visit to Moscow was coincidental with or prompted by the U.S. peace initiative announced by Secretary of State William P. Rogers in Washington last Thursday. The Egyptian leader responded negatively in his first comment on the Rogers plan made in Tripoli, Libya, last week but his remarks fell short of an outright rejection. Soviet newspapers have made it clear that the Kremlin views the American proposals “unacceptable” to the Arabs but there were hints that they might be regarded as a basis for further Four Power discussions.