Monopoly in Cairo

Few of the world's political leaders could boast of a more servile press than the United Arab Republic's President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Almost from the beginning of his regime, Egypt's editors have followed Nasser's xenophobic line. But dictators being what they are, not one of them can feel secure without owning the press completely. Last week in Cairo, Nasser made the inevitable move.

In an unannounced early morning seizure, U.A.R. authorities abruptly nationalized four big Cairo publishing houses. Among Nasser's new possessions: a raft of magazines and weekly newspapers, and the two most influential dailies in the Arab world. Al Akhbar (the News) and Al Ahram (the Pyramids).

Al Akhbar, best known of Cairo's dailies, is owned by the U.A.R.'s most prominent newsmen. Mustafa and Ali Amin, a beefy pair of identical twins. After Nasser's rise to power in 1954, the twins showed some independence from the regime, tended to side with the West during Nasser's pro-Soviet period. But under steady pressure from the government, Al Akhbar fell into obedient line.

The nationalization move was conducted on legalistic lines. But the display of legitimacy was mere show-window stuff for the fellahin in Cairo's bazaars. In truth. Cairo's privately owned newspapers had embarrassed Nasser by making money, an endeavor in which his house organ. Al Gumhuria, has notably failed.

After the seizure, dutiful banner head lines blossomed, and the president of the newspaper union, Salah Salem, jumped up on cue with a message of gushing gratitude to Nasser: "We thank you from the depths of our hearts for the fortunate move you took in turning over all the press resources, which are the main instruments of orientation and guidance to the people. By so doing, you have provided confirmation of the true meanings of the freedom of the press."

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