The Soviet press agency Tass, it is reported, said Monday night that the Nixon Administration no-sale decision on jets to Israel essentially “changes nothing” in the Middle East conflict because “On the basis of previous contracts on the delivery of arms, Israel receives all it wants from the United States, including the Phantom Jet fighter-bombers that are being used for barbarous raids on the Inland areas of Egypt.” Tass made its remarks before Secretary of State William P. Rogers’ press conference on Monday, but after President Nixon’s preliminary comments last Saturday. “The President,” Tass noted, stressed twice that this delay (in jet sales) is temporary.” The United States’ negative decision was expected in Cairo, according to reports reaching here, and thus Egyptians were putting their major energies today toward condemnation of the American resolve to provide Israel with $100 million worth of economic aid. Cairo radio called the arrangement a “conspiracy”; Damascus radio said the aid would be going to “Zionist gangs in Palestine,” and Baghdad Radio called the announcement “obvious collusion between American imperialism and Zionism.” All these pointed out that the jet-withholding decision was “temporary.” In addition, Lebanese Information Minister Osman Dana said he regretted the aid announcement. Egyptians also reacted unfavorably to Mr. Rogers’ endorsement of the enforcement of the Middle East cease-fire and the U.S. attempt to balance the Mideast arms race and halt arms deliveries to the area.
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