A “non-aggression” clause which might restrain Iraq from using its new arms to attack Israel has been eliminated from the newest draft of Mutual Security legislation pertaining to arms aid for the Near East, it was learned today.
The new draft repeals Section 202 A of the Mutual Security law dealing specifically with guarantees that no equipment is to be provided unless the recipient refrains from committing aggression against any other nation. This pertained directly to countries of the Near East. Acting upon advice of the State Department, Congress has “recodified” the Mutual Security law. In this recodification the anti-aggression guarantee was repealed.
The Department of Defense is now considering an arms grant to Saudi Arabia similar to the one announced earlier this week for Iraq. It is known that a military attache of Saudi Arabia has been involved here in the most detailed conversations on this subject and a public announcement is expected in the not too distant future.
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