Commando Decision

THE MIDDLE EAST

The screeching disunity of the Arab world is never more obvious than when Arab leaders get together for periodic stabs at summitry. Meeting last week in Cairo, the premiers of the 13-nation Arab League showed themselves even more divided than usual. Only five states sent their premiers. Tunisia, understandably annoyed because Cairo mobs set fire to its ambassador's residence in April, boycotted the conference entirely.

As visual, the principal object of attention was Israel. Syria claimed Israeli artillery fire had halted work on the Arab project to divert the headwaters of the Jordan, called for a unified Arab air strike to silence Israel's guns. Still angry about West Germany's recognition last month of Israel, Syria urged joint 'economic sanctions against the Bonn government, raised again the proposal that all members of the Arab League establish relations with East Germany instead. The Syrian delegate even demanded that Tunisia, whose President, Habib Bourguiba, had recommended negotiations instead of war with Israel, be expelled from the Arab League.

No action was taken, of course. Far from approving the air strikes against Israel, most Arab states warned Syria not to do anything to provoke the powerful Israeli army against them. Sanctions against West Germany were shelved, as was recognition of East Germany. Syria's case against Bourguiba met the coldest reception of all. Not even Nasser, whom the Tunisian President had accused of seeking control over all Arabs, was angry enough to consider throwing him out of the League.

While the Arabs bickered, Israel struck. Angered at the increasing incursions of a newly organized secret Arab commando outfit known as "Asifa" (storm troopers), the Israeli army last week sent 50 of its own commandos across the border. The Israeli raiders entered three Jordanian towns, hastily evacuated civilians, then blew up gas stations, farmhouses and an abandoned mill. More raids lay ahead, hinted the Israeli radio, unless Asifa incursions were brought to an end.

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