A Foreign Office spokesman told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today that there has been no change in British policy toward the sale of arms to Egypt. The assurance was prompted by a broadcast last night that Britain was about to sell Egypt military equipment valued at 100 million pounds sterling ($235 million). The spokesman said discussions with Egypt began last July and were continuing.
The spokesman observed that there is no embargo on British arms sales to either Israel or Egypt or any Arab country but that three conditions must be met before such sales could be consummated: arms sales to a Middle East country must not disturb the balance of power in the region; must not escalate the arms race; and must not be conducive to a resumption of hostilities. The spokesman said, however, that there is no question of a shopping list as yet, approved or unapproved.
But the JTA learned from reliable private sources that Britain was prepared to sell Egypt “Scorpion” light tanks which are amphibious; “Saracen” armed personnel carriers; “Lightening” fighter aircraft; radar systems; and anti-tank guns. The sources said Britain would not supply Egypt with “Jaguar” strike aircraft and missiles.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
