Informed sources here said today that Israel does not intend to reply to the anti-Zionist statement in the joint Syrian-Soviet communique issued in Moscow after Syrian President Yousef Zain’s visit to the Soviet capital earlier this week.
Foreign Ministry sources here said that other than an official “negative” reaction to the communique, Israel will not comment. However, political sources here indicated much displeasure not only over the communique but even more so about Soviet plans to renew military aid to the new Syrian regime.
Although the communique did not refer to Israel by name, there was still considerable disappointment here over the communique as an indication that recent Israeli-East European rapprochement had not been completely productive.
Government sources here were following with close attention the current working conference of Middle East United States ambassadors now meeting in Beirut. The conference is scheduled to examine in detail the Middle East situation and the Soviet infiltration of Syria. The 13 American envoys will also study the Syrian situation for what may prove to be the strongest Soviet push in the Middle East in years, it was reported.
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