Pronouncements of “full support” of Arab opposition to Israel’s irrigation plan, voiced by the Moscow radio and press, was seen by political observers in Washington today as a Soviet attempt to reap propaganda benefits from an emotionally explosive issue, after the threat of immediate explosion had lessened.
Washington circles pointed out that this technique is not new as far as Soviet propaganda is concerned. In several instances in the past, the Russians have waited with their main expressions of support for the Arabs until the immediate crisis passed its peak. It was noted that, in earlier Soviet comments, while the Cairo conference was still in progress, Moscow voiced the hope that the water dispute would not result in bloodshed. This was seen as an indication that the Russians want to avoid a confrontation in the Middle East, which would also bring about a showdown on the extent of their support of the Arabs in such a confrontation.
Political observers in Washington also pointed out that the later Soviet statements, such as the expression of support for the Arab opposition to Israel’s irrigation plans, still avoided expressing support for any specific Arab counter-measures, such as the threatened diversion of the headwaters of the Jordan, which could revive the danger of armed confrontation.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
