Robert Pranger, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, completed his official tour today of four Arab capitals in what was believed to be an effort to convince the Arabs that U.S. military personnel are not serving in the Israeli armed forces. He visited Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. Newspapers in Lebanon and Syria denounced Mr. Pranger’s visit. The Beirut newspaper “Al-Moharrer” said it attached no significance to the visit because “the problem is not in Beirut, Damascus, Cairo or any Arab capital, but in Washington itself.”
Foreign Minister Nassim Majdalani of Lebanon met with Mr. Pranger for 80 minutes and later said there were no new U.S. proposals in connection with the Big Four negotiations.
Washington officials have unofficially indicated their deep concern over recurrent Arab propaganda charges that American military men have been assigned to service in Israel, especially as pilots.
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