Diplomatic sources here said today that no official French statement about the five gunboats will be made until after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet is expected to decide how the Government will respond to the alleged Israel take-over of the gunboats in violation of France’s arms embargo against Israel. Some sources said President Georges Pompidou would mention the gunboats during his year end television broadcast tomorrow.
Several French government agencies are reportedly investigating the mysterious departure of the gunboats from Cherbourg on Christmas Day, allegedly flying the Norwegian flag and under Norwegian ownership, A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s office indicated today that their inquiry disclosed that Israel had renounced all claims to the gunboats before they were sold. According to the spokesman, this was contained in a letter written by Rear Admiral Mordechai Limon, the Israeli Defense Ministry representative in Europe. The French Defense Ministry has made no comment so far.
French newspaper comment on the affair was mixed today. Combat said the Government “cannot afford not to react.” The newspaper Figaro thought the affair stemmed from “contradictions in French internal policies.” France Soir advised the Israel Government to maintain the civilian status of the boats in order to keep up good relations with France. Le Monde said that any French accomplices in the affair should be punished.
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