Syria, currently at odds with Israel in new border clashes now under consideration at an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, announced jointly with Iraq yesterday plans for a joint “battle of destiny” against Israel.
(In Washington, the United States Government announced a new long-term dollar credit of $6, 856,000 to Iraq for purchase of agricultural commodities. The loan covers purchases of wheat, tobacco and poultry.)
The plan for an attack on Israel was listed as one of the objectives of a tightening of economic and military ties between the two countries. The economic union announced in Damascus was described as open to “all other revolutionary Arab Governments.”
The agreement followed an eight-day visit to Syria by Iraqi President Abdel Salam Aref, who holds the rank of Field Marshall. The “battle of destiny” against Israel will be carried through in a joint army commission to advance the “military and defensive cooperation” of the two countries.
The joint statement also praised the Soviet Union for its “objective and sincere stand in supporting right and peace” in the current Security Council meeting, a reference to the Soviet announced intention of vetoing a joint United States-British resolution which would condemn Syria indirectly for the August 19 murder of two Israeli farmers at the Almagor collective settlement near the Syrian border.
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