Moscow Cautions Arabs Not to Take Friendship Lightly
Soviet press on Aug 24 reminds Arabs that their friendship with USSR is ânot like an ornamentâ to be replaced on whim, sharpest comment since ouster of Soviet mil advisers from Egypt; in mounting campaign seeking to preserve Soviet influence in Arab world, press has pointedly cited recent friendly statements of Syrian and Iraqi leaders and has recalled that late Egyptian Pres Nasser had himself asked for Soviet advisers; commentaries generally indicate that withdrawal of Soviet advisory mission from Egypt was point of departure for discussion of SovietâArab relations, but without any direct criticism of Egypt; speculation that USSR's show of irritation was prompted by Egyptian Pres Sadat's delay on proposal from party chief Brezhnev for topâlevel SovietâEgyptian meeting after advisers had left Egypt; proposal was publicized in Egypt on Aug 7 but no more has been said about it