The West German Foreign Ministry today welcomed a report in the semiofficial Cairo newspaper Al Ahram which said that West Germany was not delivering arms to Israel and has not done so since 1965. The report was written by the paper’s editor. Hassanein Heikal, a confidant of President Nasser.
The Foreign Ministry statement said the report was proof that Bonn had pursued a “correct” policy in the Middle East which was now acknowledged by Egypt. The statement was seen by observers as a further development aimed at improving relations between West Germany and the Arab States. It was regarded as an overture for the resumption of diplomatic relations which Cairo severed when West Germany recognized Israel three years ago.
(Former deputy defense minister Shimon Peres of Israel, said in Tel Aviv recently that according to Arab sources, West Germany had supplied Israel with $350 million worth of arms. Mr. Peres neither confirmed nor denied the allegation. He stressed, however, that West German authorities maintained a friendly attitude toward Israel.)
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