Britain’s Relations with Arab World in 1983 Begins on Sour Note

Britain’s relations with the Arab world in 1983 have begun on a sour note, with Saudi Arabia cancelling a visit by Foreign Secretary Francis Pym.

The move is seen as retaliation for the continuing deadlock over a visit to Britain by the Arab League delegation formed last September to explain the Fez summit proposals to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has refused to meet the delegation if it includes Farouk Kaddoumi, a senior PLO official, and the Arabs just as adamantly say he must come.

Some British industrialists have expressed concern that the new strain in Anglo-Saudi relations could endanger trade between the two countries, put at 5.5 billion Pounds Sterling.

DOMESTIC CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED

In refusing to meet a PLO representative as long as the PLO refuses to renounce terrorism, Mrs. Thatcher is partly motivated by domestic considerations. She accepts that there are similarities between the PLO and the terrorists in Northern Ireland to whom she is implacably opposed. This will also be an election year in Britain and Mrs. Thatcher’s grass roots supporters share her aversion to terrorism.

She may also not wish to offend the 400,000-strong Jewish community which, in recent years, has tended to move to the conservative camp from its traditional labor allegiance. She herself has a large Jewish vote in her North London constituency.