Israeli officials reacted with concern today to emergency regulations issued by Syrian officials last night, providing for general conscription to the “national defense militia.” Observers here said that the conscription is compulsory, and would result in the recruitment of nearly 100,000 men.
At Israel’s request, United Nations observers inspected Israel’s side of the border today to help refute Syrian and Soviet allegations that Israel was plotting with “imperialists” to overthrow the Damascus regime.
Similar inspections were underway by UN observers on the Syrian side, raising the question of known Syrian troops and weapon concentration in the area. Syria several months ago concentrated heavy artillery and tanks on the border. Prior to the Syrian agreement to accept UN inspection, which the UN received only late last night, it was considered likely that the Syrian regime evacuated some of the men and weapons.
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