State Dep’t Says U.S. Aircraft Are Holding ‘training’ Exercises in Cairo

American aircraft are engaged in “training” exercises with Egyptian airmen of the West Air Base in Cairo, the State Department said today. The Department’s chief spokesman, Hodding Carter, refused to comment as to whether the U.S. aircraft were reconnaissance planes. But he emphasized that they were there for training purposes with the Egyptian Air Force.

State Department sources also said that “possibly” additional U.S. aircraft will go to Egypt. The sources said they were “not aware” that the American planes may have flown over Sinat or made any use of the Israeli facilities on the peninsula. This is the first time American aircraft have been engaged in such exercises.

Asked if the U.S. aircraft might use Israeli facilities as well as Egyptian a source said “We have under review use of such facilities in a number of countries.” He declined to comment on “specific possibilities.”

Yesterday, Egyptian Defense Minister Kamal Hassan Ali-said the U.S. could use “Egyptian facilities.” In connection with the joint U.S. Egyptian exercises, he stated that “We have been discussing the question of facilities with the United States.” He said the exercises were aimed at training Americans in the use of those facilities Earlier, president Anwar Sodat offered Egyptian facilities to the U.S.– but not bases–to enable the rescue of American hostages in Teheran and to protect Arab countries against aggression.

PALESTINIAN RADICALS AND THE U.S. HOSTAGES

In another development, the State Department today gave a carefully worded response to Rep. Philip Crane (R.ill.), who said it appeared that “Palestinian radicals” were involved in the seizure of the American hostages in Teheran. Crane, who is seeking the Republican Presidential nomination, made his comment yesterday following a briefing from Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

Asked about Crane’s remark, Carter replied that such reports come “from a variety of sources, much of it contradictory.” He said, ” Insofar as anybody said at the Deputy Secretary level that there were definitely Palestinians there, that would be a mistake in the interpretation of what the Secretary said. “Later, however, Crane’s office told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the Congressman “definitely came away with the impression” that Palestinians were involved.

Pressed on the issue of Palestinian involvement in the seizure of the hostages, Carter said “We have evidence that suggests a number of things but I would not give you that one as one of the suggestions. The problem here is that reports come all over the place” and “it is hard to decide,” Carter said. He added, “But I really want to lead you away from the nation that anybody here is confirming” Palestinian involvement.

This development came as reports received here from Beirut quoted Arab leaders as saying that U.S. efforts to safeguard Western military and economic interests in the Middle East are doomed unless the U.S. presses Israel hard for an overall Middle East settlement, including “self-determination” for the Palestinians. The U.S. has been cautious in discussing the Palestine Liberation Organization’s activities in the hostage situation since the Americans were seized more than two months ago in Teheran.