Syria and Egypt Fail to Reach Agreement on Defense Against Israel

Syria and Egypt have apparently failed to reach agreement on moves to strengthen their mutual defense pact against Israel. the Washington Post reported yesterday from Beirut.

Speculation has mounted following the Israeli-Syrian air clash earlier this month that basic changes in the operative sections of the pact were under consideration. A rider in last year’s agreement specified that “limited aggression” by Israel would not automatically require Egyptian intervention. Egyptian Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sidky Mahmoud paid an unscheduled visit to Syria last week and Egyptian Prime Minister Mohammed Sidky Soliman is there now.

First indications that no substantial progress was made came in reports from Damascus that Gen. Mahmoud was highly critical of Syrian air defenses. The report of no progress appeared confirmed by the Syrian Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Sweidani, in statements published in Beirut today. Asked if negotiations were under way for establishment of Egyptian airbases in Syria, he said: “There are enough airbases in Syria and there is no room for establishment of new ones.”

Gen. Sweidani said certain provisions of the defense pact had been discussed with the Egyptians but this did not include the question of Egyptian bases. Last year, Egyptian President Nasser said secret negotiations to station Egyptian Air Force units in Syria collapsed because the two countries could not agree on security arrangements. Gen. Sweidani insisted that the Egyptian military delegation came to Syria last week for a full report on the Israeli action. He indicated that this, and not changes in the defense pact, was the main subject of discussion.