Congress Asked to Approve Economic, Military Aid to Egypt and Israel

The Carter Administration asked Congress Tuesday to approve $957 million in economic assistance for Egypt and $790 million for Israel for the fiscal year beginning next Oct. 1. The ratio for the two countries is about the same as in the current year.

In addition to this economic aid, the Administration requested $1 billion for Israel to finance military purchases for the coming year, the same as in the present fiscal year. This is in accordance with the Israeli-American agreement in connection with Israel’s evacuation from the Sinai areas now reoccupied by Egypt.

Of the economic aid, security assistance for Egypt totals $750 million and for Israel $785 million. Egypt will also get $206,6 million in Food for Peace commodities and $400,000 for military training. Israel is earmarked for $5.4 million in Food for Peace.

Jordan is to receive $93 million in economic security assistance, $50 million towards construction of the proposed Jordan Valley dam that also affects Israel, Syria and the West Bank, $8.7 million in Food for Peace, $45 million in military assistance, $2 million in military training, and $85 million in military financing.

PURPOSE OF THE DAM

The Maqarin Dam, which has been discussed for 20 years, would be built on the Yarmouk River where Jordan and Syria meet. Its purpose is to regulate the irrigation in the region by controlling the river’s flow. Israel draws water from the river down stream from the proposed dam site. Jordan would control the dam whose waters also would be used by Jordan proper and the West Bank.

The $50 million requested by the Administration would be an initial contribution for the dam’s construction, estimated to cost some $600 million, the State Department told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. An international group is expected to finance the bulk of the cost, the Department told JTA.

The foreign aid program, which totals $7.6 billion, also provides $90 million in economic supporting assistance and $23.9 million in Food for Peace for Syria. Lebanon is to get $75 million in military financing and $650,000 in Food for Peace.

Authorization hearings have already been started by the House International Relations Committee on the funding for Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Israel’s will begin about Feb. 28 and Egypt’s afterward.

The hearings on authorization, which sets the program’s policy and dollar ceilings, will then be held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Appropriations Committees in both chambers later will take up the measures for the actual funding of the programs. Both Houses must approve both bills which also must be signed by the President before they can take effect.