Nixon, Meir to Converse Via Satellite Today

President Nixon and Premier Golda Meir will speak by telephone at 5 p.m. local time tomorrow marking the occasion of Israel’s link-up with the international satellite communications system. Their conversation will be part of the ceremonies inaugurating Israel’s new satellite ground communications center at Emek Haela in the Judaean hills near Jerusalem. They are expected to exchange pleasantries for the benefit of the new communications media rather than converse on political issues, sources here said today.

Dean Burch, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, arrived here last night to represent the US at the ceremonies. He said he had been summoned to the White House prior to his departure to receive a personal message from the President for Mrs. Meir. He would not disclose its contents.

The announcement of the Nixon-Meir telephone conversation was unexpected. The White House last week had declined to make such a call on grounds that it would set a precedent for all countries joining the satellite communications system. Premier Meir’s secretary told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency this evening that the conversation would be held if technical facilities are ready in time. Technicians are working feverishly tonight to ensure that they will be.

Shmuel Almog, director of the Israel Broadcasting Service, announced today that an agreement has been made with the French news service for nightly European newscasts to be beamed to Israel from Paris via satellite. The arrangement will go into effect after the High Holidays in Sept. At present TV newsreels are flown to Israel and the news is often stale when it gets there.

Almog said the French news service was selected because the Israel radio has a staff in Paris. He said the agreement was reciprocal and that Israel will send its own TV news to European stations via the Paris link.