Split Develops in Guerrilla Movement; Moderates Seen Gaining Ground; General Strike Called

A split developed today in the Arab guerrilla movement as the Action Organization for the Liberation of Palestine and the Arab Palestine Organization, two of the smaller guerrilla groups, issued a joint statement in Amman declaring support with Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s acceptance of the United States’ Middle East peace plan. Meanwhile, in the second mass demonstration by Arabs since Egypt’s acceptance of the U.S. plan last Thursday, thousands of Arabs marched through the Iraqi capital of Baghdad late yesterday demanding war with Israel. Demonstrators estimated as high as 15,000 marched in Amman on Monday to protest Jordan’s acceptance of the plan. But there is growing belief in Arab capitals that the more moderate elements of the Palestinian struggle, led by El Fatah, may yet prevail. Those elements are said to be willing to settle for a Palestinian federation covering the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, thus permitting not only Palestinian independence but that of Israel and Jordan. The Central Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization called a two-hour general strike for today in Amman in protest against the U.S. initiative and Arab acceptance of it. The declaration yesterday by Baghdad Radio that the 10,000-12,000 Iraqi troops in Jordan and Syria “are at the disposal of the Palestinian commandos” was dismissed today by Israeli sources as “of little significance,” as those troops are already involved in aiding the guerrillas. Israeli officials however, declined comment.

Farouk Kadoumy, an official of El Fatah and of the Central Committee, arrived in Cairo yesterday to confer with President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s special representative. Mohammed Hassanein Heykal, National Guidance Minister and editor of Al Ahram. Their meeting was said to be one of urgency. Al Abram, the authoritative semi-official newspaper, promised the guerrillas again yesterday that they would not be included in an Arab-Israeli cease-fire arrangement. Israel and the United States are Insisting that they be included. Al Ahram admonished the guerrillas that they would defeat their cause if they continued their “irresponsible emotional outbursts” against the peace efforts. The two Palestinian radio stations closed by the Cairo government have taken their microphones to Jordan and Syria. El Fatah’s “Voice of Assifa” (“the hurricane”) has relocated in Amman. The Palestinian Liberation Organization’s “Voice of Palestine” is believed to be setting up shop in Syria. The Yemen Arab Republic has given its support to the acceptance of the U.S. plan by Egypt. Jordan, Sudan, Lebanon and Kuwait. Sudan has also begun crackdowns on the guerrilla broadcasts critical of the acceptance. In Beirut, the Libyan Foreign Minister, Saleh Bousseir, said after a visit to Cairo that “there is understanding between us and President Nasser and with all the Arab leaders on this issue and every other Issue.” In Damascus, Minister of the Interior Muhammad Tawil said the Syrian position on the U.S. plan would not adversely affect her relations with Egypt. Syria has denounced the proposals, which were not addressed to her as she has rejected Security Council Resolution 242.