Israeli sources said today that Egypt and the Soviet Union were seeking a limited agreement based on their mutual self-interest but were not likely to resume the strong ties that formerly existed between Cairo and Moscow. The sources were commenting on the forthcoming visit to Moscow by Egyptian Premier Aziz Sidky. The visit was arranged by President Hafez Assad of Syria who was recently in Moscow. Sidky’s visit, beginning Oct. 16, will be the first high-level contact between Egypt and the Soviet Union since President Anwar Sadat ousted Soviet military personnel from Egypt last June.
Israeli sources said Egypt wants to preserve some limited relationship with Moscow to assure the continued availability of Soviet arms and spare parts. The Russians, on the other hand, regard a limited accord with Egypt as essential to their continued use of Egyptian port facilities for the Soviet Mediterranean fleet.
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