MIDDLE EAST AFRICA SOUTH ASIA

Document Type: 
Collection: 
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
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
July 2, 1975
Content Type: 
NOTES
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PDF icon CIA-RDP79T00865A001300050002-2.pdf263.38 KB
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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 Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865AO01300050002-2 Approved For Release QQ1/! /AB I ffj 'j!T00865A001 30005000 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 Approved For ReleasenN tfWt79T00865A001300050002-2 Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865AO01300050002-2 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 Approved For Release z0,Q1/ /j f5 4-B.UAPZ9T00865AO01300050002-2 Approved For Release 2001/( ,M ffiff RTITN 65A001300050002-2 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 Approved For Release 2001FqB ?865A001300050002-2 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 Approved For Release 200Mi.865A001300050002-2 Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865AO01300050002-2 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 Approved For Release 2001 /08/0tOR Be '(jA(L0865A001300050002-2 Approved For Release 2001MfB1:,79T00865A001300050002-2 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 Approved For Release 2001t0~fU8i:1~lTRDP~79T00865A001300050002-2 Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865AO01300050002-2 Confidential Confidential Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865AO01300050002-2