MIDDLE EAST AFRICA SOUTH ASIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00865A001300050002-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 24, 2001
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: July 2, 1975
• Content Type: NOTES

Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865AO01300050002-2 4.
Confidential
No Foreign Dissem
~U Q
Middle East
Africa
South Asia
Confidential
12 d-
No. 0819/75
July 2, 1975
Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865AO01300050002-2
 Approved For Release 2001/08/08: CIA-RDP79T00865AO01300050002-2
No Foreign Dissem
Warning Notice
Sensitive Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
Classified by 005827
Exempt from general declassification schedule
of E. 0. 11652, exemption category:
? 5B (1), (2), and (3)
Automatically declassified
on: Date Impossible to Determine
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This publication is prepared for regional specialists in the Washington com-
munity by the Middle East - Africa Division, Office of Current Intelligence,
with occasional contributions from other offices within the Directorate of
Intelligence. Comments and queries are welcome. They should be directed to
the authors of the individual articles.
Egypt: Media Reacts to US-Israeli Friction . . . 1
Egypt: Cairo Developing Closer Relations
with Western Labor Organization . . . . . . . . 3
French Territory of Afars and Issas: The
Arab Role . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
July 2, 1975
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CONFIDENTIAL
Egypt
The current public friction between the US and
Israel over Middle East peace negotiations is being
treated with evident delight by Egypt's media. The
ead be
ief
n
h
h
I .. ,. p~
l
i
Cairo ~
" rvas
in ~j L, on io exe L-
ing heavy pressure on Israel for progress in negotia-
tions has evoked differing ideas among media com-
mentators on the speed with which the US should
produce concrete results. In all cases, however,
there appears to be a high degree of expectation that
the US will indeed follow through, either with success-
ful negotiations for an interim Sinai agreement or,
failing that, with a declaration of Washington's ideas
on the shape of a final settlement.
An AZ-Ahram editorialist commented last week
that, with US-Israeli cifferences now out in the open,
the US can no longer delay the conclusion of its
policy reassessment. Noting that the "mere threat
of a firmer US stand toward Israel" will not persuade
Israel to abandon its "obstinacy," the editorialist
surged the US to take clear and decisive steps now.
Other commentators have adopted a somewhat more
patient attitude and indicated a confident belief that
;the US will in fact take steps in the near future.
Jumhuriya's diplomatic editor, who is well plugged
in to the government, wrote recently that the US is
now conducting the "last round of negotiations before
it throws its full weight" behind a US-devised plan
jfor a final settlement. Arguing that the US has
become more "evenhanded," the editor cited several
recent US statements to support her belief that, if
Washington cannot produce another disengagement in
the Sinai, it will, on the basis of its policy reassess-
ment, maintain pressure on Israel for an overall
settlement.
(Continued)
July 2, 1975
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With an attitude of almost equal certitude, a
Cairo radio commentator recently declared his belief
.that the US is adhering to its statements rejecting
stalemate in negotiations and is "in all probability"
-offering Israel the choice of negotiating an interim
step or "facing an American confrontation in order
to achieve a comprehensive solution." It is perhaps
,for this reason, the commentator speculated, that the
!US has not announced the outcome of its reassessment;
it is awaiting the results of its current pressure
on Israel. (CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM)
July 2, 1975 2
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 2001/M
Egypt
Cairo Developing Closer Relations with
Western Labor Organization
Contacts between Egypt and the International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) have
both increased and become warmer of late, although
there is no evidence that the Egyptian labor federa-
tion is considering affiliation or that the matter
is even under discussion.
ICFTU's support for an Egyptian labor leader
in his successful bid last month for a seat on the
International Labor Organization's (ILO) governing
body was the latest example of closer cooperation.
The visit to Cairo late this month by ICFTU's Sec-
retary General will provide another opportunity to
improve the relationship.
The talks will take up a full agenda of inter-
national labor questions and will also include the
request by the Israeli labor federation, Histadrut,
for support of Israeli use of the Suez Canal. An-
other major topic will probably be the call by labor
organizations in several third world countries and
certain Christian trade unions for an "international
development conference." The Egyptians reportedly
support ICFTU's position that such a conference
should take place only in an ILO framework.
Some observers add up these developments and
come to the conclusion that Egypt is preparing the
way for affiliation with ICFTU. ICFTU officials
are quick to downplay such reports, and the Assistant
Secretary General has noted that the Egyptians would
"kill themselves politically" with the rest of the
Arab world were they to seek membership in the fore-
seeable future. Despite such disclaimers, it seems
likely that Cairo might be testing the waters for
"''-Arab reactions to the Secretary General's visit. In
any event both sides may see the visit as an opportunity
for a private exchange on the prospects for affiliation,
however eventual. (CONFIDENTIAL)
July 2, 1975 3
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CONFIDENTIAL
French Territory of Afars and Issas
Ali Aref Bourhan, the president of the
territorial council of the French Territory of Afars
and Issas, says he will seek Arab guarantees against
interference by Somalia and Ethiopia before asking
France for independence. Aref fears the territory,
which is claimed by both Somalia and Ethiopia, could
become a battleground between his two neighbors if
France withdraws. In a press interview on June 30,
Aref said he would take the territory into the Arab
League if Arab countries agreed to provide military
and economic guarantees. The population of the
territory is predominantly Muslim.
Aref, who owes his position to French backing,
has been maneuvering to stay ahead of the increasing
popular sentiment in favor of independence. He
advocates eventual independence, but believes the
territory needs careful preparation before cutting
its ties with Paris. Aref probably realizes that
securing Arab guarantees, if obtainable at all,
would require considerable negotiations. In the
meantime, he can point to his words as evidence of
his desire for forward movement. He probably also
hopes to reduce the pressure for swift independence
coming from his domestic opponents by reminding them
and the general population that ending French rule
is no panacea and could lead to serious problems with
Somalia and Ethiopia.
Aref may also be trying to outmaneuver the Arab
countries and Mogadiscio. In April, the Arab League
Council--prodded by Somali President Siad--passed a
resolution urging independence for the territory. By
linking independence to Arab guarantees, Aref probably
sees a chance to drive a wedge between the Arabs and
(Continued)
July 2, 1975 4
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Somalia. In Siad's terms, "independence" means union
with Somalia, not an independent country backed by the
Arabs.
a
Ethiopia and other black African countries would
oppose an Arab security guarantee of a country on the
African continent.. The Organization of African Unity,
however, might offer a general political guarantee,
provided it had the approval of Ethiopia and Somalia.
(CONFIDENTIAL)
July 2, 1975
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Confidential
Confidential
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