JPRS ID: 9399 NEAR EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORT

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CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3
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APPROVEIDP FOR RELEASE= 2007/02/08= CIA-R[Z)IP82-00850R00030005001 9-3 A4 ~t . 4 ~P .16 z ' ~sas-~'s s~. ' _ ~ s ' APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02148: CIA-RDP82-44850R000300054419-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY - JPRS L/9399 18 fVovember 1980 _ Near East/North Africa Report (FOUO 41 /80) FBI$ FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATiON SERVICE - FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02148: CIA-RDP82-44850R000300054419-3 NOTE JPRS publications contain information primarily from foreign newspapers, periodicals and books, but also from news agency transmissions and broadcasts. Materials from foreign-language sources are translated; those from English-language sources are transcribed or reprinted, with the original phrasing and - other chsracte.ristics retained. Headlines, editorial reports, and material enclosed in brackets are supplied by JPRS. Processing indicators such as [Text] or [Excerpt] in the first line of each item, or following the last line of a brief, inaicate how the original informa.tion was processed. Where no processing indicator is given, the infor- mation was summarized or extractecl. Unfamiliar naimes rendered phonetically or transliterated are enclosed in parentheses. Words or na.mes preceded by a ques- tion mark and enclosed in parentheses were not clear in the original but have been supplied as appropriate in context. Other unattributed parenthetical notes within the body of an item originate with the source. Times within items are as given by source. The contents of this publication in no way represent the poli- - cies, views or attitudes of the U.S. Government. COPYRIGHT LAWS AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING OWNERSHIP OF = MATERIALS REPRODUCED HEREIN REQUIRE THAT DISSEMINATION OF THIS PUBLICATION BE RESTRICTED FOR OFFICIAL USE ODTLY. APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/48: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300054419-3 FOR OFF'LCIAL USE ONLY JPRS L/9399 18 November 1980 NEAR EAST/NORTH AFRICA REPORT (FOUO 41/80) CONTENTS INTER-ARAB AFFAIRS Arabs Warned Not To Expect A1-Sadat To Rejoin Them (AL-WATAN AL'ARABI, 22-28 Aug 80) Briefs Israeli-Jerusalem Decision Condemned Algeria, Mauritania on Sahara AFGHANI STAN Japaneae Researcher Reports as Eyewitneas (Osamu Ishida; BUSINESS JAPAN, Oct 80)...........a........... ALGERIA Subtle Blend of Islam, Revolution in Country (MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITIItRANEENS, 19 Sep 80)............. IRAN Official Japanese Source Gives Edge to Iran (NIHON KEIZAI SHTMBLTN, 8 Oct 80) Arab Alignment in Gulf War Assessed (Editorial; MAINICHI DAILY NEWS, 15 Oct 80).................. MAURITANIA Ould Mouknass Under House Arrest (JEUNE AFRIQUE, 24 Sep 80) Briefe Cattle Decimated by Drought Regional Budgets Approved Iraqi Loan FEB Grant for Dam - a - [III - NE & A - 121 FOUO] - , Vnn nMrT e T. t 1cF ONT.Y ` APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02148: CIA-RDP82-44850R000300054419-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY MOROCCO Effecta of Saharan War on Economy (Ahdelaziz Da.hmani; JEUNE AFRIQUE, 8 Oct 80) 18 King Hassan's Remarks on Jerusalem Occupation, SahaYan Struggle (MARCHES TROPICAUY, ET MEDITERRANEENS, 10 Oct 80) 21 WESTERN SAHARA , Algeria Mitigates POLISARI!J Intransigence (JEUNE AFRIQUE, 1 Oct 80).................................... 24 Briefs = Algerian Role in War 25 -b- FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02148: CIA-RDP82-44850R000300054419-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY _ INTER-ARAB AFFAIRS ARABS WARNED NOT TO EXPECT AL-SADAT TO REJOIN TIiEt4 _ 1'aris AL-WATAN AL-'ARABI in Arabic 22-28 Aug 80 pp 22-23 _ [Article: "Three Threats to A1-Sadat, Should He Think of Returning to Arab Resistance Front: Ref usal To Withdrsw From Sinai; Cutting Off American Aid; Stopping Rearmament of Egyptia.n Army"] [Text] The Arabs are mistaken if they think that A1-Sadat could return to their ranks, even if he wanted to. The United States and Israel have been able to tie him up so tight that he was barely able to oppose _ Israel.'s decision to Judaize Jerusalem and make it Israel's capital with a"temporary freezing" of the autonomy talks until the next American _ president comes to his help. Can the Middle East stay as is until the American elections are held in November, without a great explosion taking place as a result of the atmosphere o� increased Israeli-Arab tension, aggravated inter-Arab differences, and clear failure of the Camp David process? - All maves and developments inepire pessimism. Both moderate and radical Arab factlons have become convinced that there is no hope for a political initiative for ajust solution of the Middle East crisis, so long as Israel can puraue a policy serving its selfiah interests and expanRionist ambitions without fear of any punishment or rebuke. Yresident A1-Sadat, who plunged headlong into his own predicament by follow- l.ng the American Camp David initiative, finds himself in a desperate poaition. He was forced to turn down a new American proposal to resume the autonomy talks with Israel, because there was no use continuing them after Israel's decision to annex Jerusalem and increase Jewish settlements on the West Bank. Inatead, he proposed to Israel and the United States the convening of a third summit meeting to "resuscitate" whatever ia left of the Camp David spirit. He did so after he saw the Israelis push him into a tight corner in front of the Arab world. They let him know through their actions that they would not give him any more than he obtained in the accord, namely - recovery of the Sinai in return for Egyptian recognition of Israel, the exchange of diplomatic relations and normalization. Thus, the Israelia , ruled out progress toward a comprehensive settlement based on evacuating , .311. occupied Arab territory and granting tne Palestinians even limited self-rule. 1 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Nevertheless, following long meditatyon in the Sinai, A1-Sadat did not develop the courage to admit his failure and return to the Arab-fold--ae Crown Pxl.nce Fahd has invited him to do. A1-Sadat pref erred to level charges against the Arabs themselves. He picked the Arab point of weakness, n8mely internal discord and conf?ict, to hold them responsible for Israel's annexation of Jerusalem. Where Will A1-Sadat Stop? Rs a matter of fact, A1-Sadat is now completely convinced that reaunrr;:ion of talks wi+:h Israel would be of no use. However, he will not risk taking a"historic" initiative or decision, because there are a number of factors and restrictions wh_ich prevent him from doing ao. Therefore, the Arabs must give up completely any hope of A1-Sadat rejoining them. These factors Hnd restrictions include: _ 1. A1-Sadat fears that if he should break off with Israel, his relatious with the United States would turn soure Carter would not forgive him if he took such a step at a time when Carter is in great difficulty in hie - own presidential reelection bid. Carter could punish A1-Sadat immediately � by suspending American aid and economic grants, which now amount to $1 billion annually (the Arabs used to give A1-Sadat more than $2 annually). 2. The Egyp tian armed forces are now in the midst of exchanging Eastern [Soviet] arms and methods for Western arms and methods. It would be difficult to secure the continued f].ow of Anerican arms if A1-Sadat decides to abandon Camp David. It would also be difficult to secure the resumption of the influx of Eastern arms or revival of good relations between Cairo and Mascow, consider~ng their current deteriorated and strained condition. 3. Should he abandon Camp David A1-Sadat would in all probability face Israeli retaliation in the form of a refusal to pu1l out of the last third of the Sinai (from a strategic point of view, it is the most important part), which is aupposed to be returned to Egypt in 1982. Shackled by ttiese three fears, A1-Sadat finds himself like a prisoner who _ has no choice but to accept the fait accompli, keep quiet, and content himself - with freezing the autonomy talks which have not made any meaningful progress ln the entire 18 months since t:iey started. Ztie truth is that the Israelis were not content with driving A1-Sadat into a corner in front of his people, the Arabs in gerieral, and the world at liirge. They actually threatened to suspend'the evacuation of Sinai, if he shoiild undertake any dramatic hange in his policy, or if he should slow down the normalization process. A1-Sadat found himself forced to confirm his invitation to Yitzhak Navon, the Tsraeli president, to visit Foypt and even give a speech to the Egyptian People's Assembly. 2 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY All of A1-Sadat's hopes are now pinned on Carter's reelection (an uncertain prospect) and the fall of the Begin govarnment. Israeli elections ars to take place early next spring instead of in the autumn of 1981. The return of the Mapai party to power could result in some conceasions to A1-Sadat _ toward solving the Palestinian issue. But this again is an uncertain prospect, becauHe even though the position of Mapai differs tactically from Begin's, it is nevertheless still very far from A1-Sadat's position, let alone the position of the Arabs in general and the Palestinians in - particular. The Ierueli position is made clear today by the decision to Judaize Jerusalem and make it Israel's capital; by the increasing Jewish settlements _ on the Weat Bank; and by Israel's'refusal to recognize the righ ts of the Palestinians or negotiate with their legitimate represenLative, the PLO. Israel pereists in its obstinacy. In the absence of a genuine wo rldwide [moral] reaction ot of deterrent military Arab strengthz Israel is prepared _ to maintain its policy. Israel does not even pay attention to world opinion. This is demonstrated by its commitment of fooliah actions, inspite of its complete isolation, such as by launching commando.raids against P alestinian poeitiona in Lebanon, regardless of the impact of theae raids on the interesta of its ally, the United States, and the West in general. COPYRIGHT: 1980 AL-WATAN AL-ARABI 9587 CSO: 4802 , 3 FOR 0FFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/48: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300054419-3 FOR OFFIC?AL USE ONLY INTER-ARAB AFFAIRS BRIEFS ISRAEI.I JF.RUSALFrI DECISION CONDEMNED--Israel's decision to JudaizP - Jerusalem and make it Israel's eternal capital has offended the feelings - and emotions of the Arabs and Muslims to whom this city is a particularly - holy shrine. They secured, through the United Nations, an international resolution condemning Israel, and they adopted a Saudi-Iraqi resolution to impose a political and economic boycott on any country that recognizes and honora the Israeli decision. It is expected that before the end of this month, they will secure another international resolution th at will call upon nations concerned to remove their embaesies from Jerusalem. The foreign ministers of the Islamic nations will meet in September in Morocco to consider firm Islamic measures for the ultimate goal of preserving the Arab character and Islamic holy places of Jerusalem. - [Text] (Paris AL-WATAN AL-'ARABI in Arabic 22-28 Aug 80 p 221 ~ ALGERIA, MAURITANIA ON SAHARA--According to leaks from the del.egation which accom- - panied the Msuxitanian head of state in his official visit to Algeria (28 Septem- ber-1 October), President Chadli Bendjedid made some proposals to Lieutenant Colonel Khouna Ould Haydala concerning the Sahara conflict. "The POLTSARIO is going to have much more difficulty atXacking Morocco from its traditional Algerian = bases arour.d Tindouf since Morocco is busy seal3ng off that region. Mauritania muet therefore give more help to the POLISARIO by offering it eafe havens, while Algeria would give Nouakchott the means to ensure air cover should Morocco exercise the right of pursuit into Mauritanian territory...." As soon as he re- turned home Pr.esident Haydala apparently informed the members of the military committee for national salvation. The proposal was certainly not unanimously = welcomed and eome officers advocated that Mauritania reaffirm its neutrality in the Sahara conflict. President Haydala, anxious to reassure them, apparently also told them that Algeria is prepared to supply Mauritania with... "several dozen aircraft" for its protection. CSO: 4400 4 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/48: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300054419-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY ~ r AFGHAI3ISTAN JAPANESE RESEA.RCHER REPORI'S AS EYEWITNESS / Tokyo BUSINESS JAPAIt in English Oct 80 pp 31a 33, 35, 36 [Article by Osamu Ishida, Staff Reporter, Sankei Shimbun] (Text] HE Soviet troops equipped with modern weapons that invaded Afghanistan last December are now tinding T themselves mired down as they face the unmitigating Afghan resistance. Recently I met Eiji Tajima, a 29�year uld Japanese student from Tokyo doing research on Tibet in lndia, wiQ'recently returned from Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, tu New Delhi. He was the first Japanese to cross the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan and later the Afghan�Iranian border to closely observe the - ~ Afghanistan situation after the Soviet invasion. Tajima - told me about condiEions in tocal cities in Afghanistan. He - also saw Soviet bombers raiding the guerrillas. - Tajima has vis(ted Afghanistan four times. With a total stay of six months, he could easily note changes wrought upon towns and villages after the Soviet invasion. He went - there from curiosity, wishing to closely observe this over- - running of Afganistan, and sharing the tense situation on the battlefields. The following is his report. 7hough I had asked the Afghan consulate in Peshawar fnr a visa, it took many days to get it. The consul first insisted that it was impossible for any tourist to visit his country during the emergency, but I continued my persua- , sion by saying, "1 wish to see Afghaziistan and buy embroidered folk shirts." 1rinally succeeded in obtaining a visa good for a month. [ tuok a bus from Peshawar to Kabul. The bus had about 40 passengers - Afghans and Pakistanis. I was the only foreigner. Nothing happened on the trip up to the Khyber Yass. Though strict, the immigration officer on the border let me in. Getting close to Jalalabad, I could see many Suviet tanks. Both MiG fighters and helicopters were ; circling in the sky. it took me four hours to reach Jalalabad from Peshawar. There were many trucks carrying Soviet - troups. - Destruyed ur burned vehicles and discarded empty - cartridge cases were scattered along the roads. Many holes un the felds gave evidence of bombings. The roads out of town were blocked and 1 found a cheap lodging house to stay overnight. Citizens with hardened faces were watching the tanks and saying nothing. Pcwer failures took pluce - 5 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02148: CIA-RDP82-00850R040340050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY very often perhaps due to Ehe shortage of power or broken wires. [ couldn't sleep well because ot die constant sounds = of ritle firing in the suburbs. At r,ine a.m. next morninR, I left for Kabul. For fear of being attacked by the guerrilfas, our bus joined a caravan which cunsisted of a tank at the head, followed by trucks. buses and pastenger cars_ A second tank assumed the central position and another guarded the rear. Altogether 50 vehicles were destined for Kabul. To accomudate ourseives to the speed of the tanks, the caravan was slow in moving, 30 to 40 kilometers per hour. On the way to the capital, the fleet was checked many times by soldiers. Both baggage and our passports were examined. When we saw the capital, the tension relaxed som.-what. I found lodging on the second floor of a steakhouse on Chicken Street, a new area ir. Kabul, for 30 Afghanis, = equivalent to V 150. Most of the restaurants in the city were closed. My only choir,e was an eating house near the steak� hause where many soldiers came tu eat. Nobody addressed ` himself to me. Everywhere in the capital [ saw Soviet tanks. Most of the Soviet soldiers were Caucasians and I did not see any Central Asian Soviet soldiers. The majority of the soliders were very young, 15 to 20 years old, and cney seemed frightened with rit7es in their hands. Some of them reminded me of tortoises as they showed only their heads from their tanks. When teking photos uf the tanks. [ was stopped by angry Soviet soldiers and pushed around on two occasions. The first time, the film was pulled ouc of my camera and taken away. One of the soldiers visited me at the lodging place later and told me, "lf you offer me a pair of jeans and 2,000 Afghanis (some Y-10.000). I'll return the rilm." He was a 17 ur 13 year-old boy from Minsk. When I replied by saying, "1 can uffer you jeans and a wa:ch," hc - said. "i'll come again," but he never car,ie back. According to the peuple in the town. Russian soldiers are ststioned in Kabul by curns for several months, and when tliey return tu Russia, they spend all their money huying souvenirs. T}te money the young soldier suggested to me would probably have been spent for this purpose. I saw many Russian soldiers shopping for souvenirs in - the towns. They seemed desperate to buy things. They would come to a store by jeep. One of them would stay in - the jeep while the others split into two groups. One group would enter the store while the other group stay outside _ with rifles in theu hands, ready for a surprise attack. Their Faces looked irritated and red; the other; were serioss as they studied the goods for sale. Afghans kept silent in the streets of Kabul and local policemen didn't pay attention to foreign travelers. But once I entered a bazaar or a store, thay would offer me a cup of tea and frankly express to me their pent-up griev- ances against the Russians. Most of their complaints were - centered around the Soviet Union and the current regime led by President Babrak Karmal. In many places in the city, people told me, "We will never be defeated," "Mushahidin. (freedom fighters) have killed hundreds of Soviet soldiers," and "We are not a fraid of MiGs or Soviet tanks." tn the old parts of the city. I could see women with their - faces covered with traditional chador, but in the new areas many young women were dressed in western clothes. 6 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY lnFormation ran quickly through the streets. It surprised me when I heard that most of the people working at stores in the ciry knew that I was in Kabul. Often, as I talked with people in stures, a freedom fighter, or guerrilla, would rush into the store and hurriedly inform the sales people of , something. Secret documents, which are called "night - letters," are not letters at all but such oral communication, I thought. There were many strange people in Kabul. Two Amer- icans, who called themselves Communists, were always - luuking out from the roof of the hotel. There were also many foreigners, who did not look like travelers, here and there in the city, always looking for some information. I was also taken as a Japanese police agent and had to change my lodging house. It was a time when rumors of the Soviets' use of poison gas was still prevailing (See note). On - nutice boards everywhere in the old town, there were - photos of poison gas cans with a caption, "Made in USA." ' This must have been the Soviet way of shifting the blame. I [ personally met a Mujahidin. He was red with anger and said that the Soviet troops were indiscriminately killing Afghans with rotating bombs. After having siayed in Kabul for nine days, I left for Mazar�i-Sharif, a city close to the Soviet border. Though I intended to go by bus, no bus was available, and I had to fly on a domestic airline p(ane. As a foreigner, I had to _ pay twice the ordinary fare. In the city, there were many Soviet soldiers, particularly higher�ranking soldiers. There were many Soviets lodging in the hotel where I stayed. ' They seemed to have mistaken me as being of the Hazra tribe of Afghanistan an3 watched me with blood-shot eyes. ~ Nobody smiled. In one of the rooms in the hotel, there was an accumulation of weapons captured from the guerrillas, _ I could see some 20 pistols with Chinese inscriptions and a star. They must have been produced in China. I was invited to the house of a local high�ranking officer ~ with whom I got acquainted when I was watching � traditional Afghan sports event. He is mure than 50 years ' old. He bitterly complained by saying, "The Russian soldiers are despotic. Women who- have come to Afghan- = istan with these soldiers are just as bad." "How many Russians are in Afghanistan''" I asked. "There are about 5,000 Russians including their families," he replied. In Kabul, it is said, they have buili apartment houses in the suburbs and are living with their families. They seem to be determined to stay in Afghanistan for a long period. After having spent a night in iviazar�i-Sharif, I tlew to Maiana, a small town with a population of some 3,000. No Russian was in the town, nor were there any Soviet helicopters at the airport. This was the only town where i didn't see any Russians during my entire trip. ' I took a truck with 20 other passengers from Maiana to the ci[y of Herat, located in Western Afghanistan. The road ' was a"natural road" made of hardened desert sand. After having run for an hour, the bus suddenly stopped. Then it - turned aruund and went back to Maiana. Once again I took a plane. ;At the Herat airport, I met two Caucasian doctors. They seemed to be surprised to see me saying, "You are the first foreigner we have met in the past four months." Then they advised me by saying, "There was a riot in the old town yesterday. You shouldn't go there. It is dangerous." 7 i , FOR OFP'ICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007102/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY The city has a population of about 100,000. My impression was that they were more ar.ti�Suviet than in Kabul. Soldiers on government army trucks wete holding ritles at the ready, patrvlling the town. Also, at the fortress built by Alexander the Great in t}ie old town, the govern- ment anny was maintainirg its position. Soviet soldiers - maintained their positions on the outskirts of the city and none of them could be seen in the town. People said, "If they came intu the town, we'll kill them." When walk- ing through the bazaar, someone called out to me, "Where are you from?" I replied, "I'm from Japan." He was so - pleased that he took me into his house for tea. I stayed in Herat for two days and then took a bus for Kandahar " where [ planned to buy embroidered shirts. Five passengers were on the bus, each paying a fare of 200 Afgttanis (some V 1,000). As I had heard that the largest base of the Sovzet Army was on the way, I wanted to see it. The caravan this time consisted of a taxi and two trucks ' guing before and after the bus, without convoy. We drove along for about two hours and passed a village called Adlaskan. Then suddenly about 10 freedom fighters ap- peared on the road and stopped us. They were turbaned, hofding ritles, with gun belts on [heir waist. They de- manded money. Every passenger gave them five or 10 Afgh;inis, and I ufFered 10. Their attitude was tough and everyone had to make a contribution. When we were abuut to leave, we were surprised by two - MiGs and two tanks. [t seemed as if they had been waiting for our arrival. The guerrillas disappeared quickly and from behind a sandhill they launched a counterattack. The right continued for about 15 minutes. We were afraid, and fled. Giving up the trip to Kandahar, we went back to Herat. That was the day I feit the deepest fear during my stay in Afghanistan. Zhat no convoy was attached to our caravan was apparently - intended to lure out the ;uerrillas. I returned to Herat where 1 stayed for two days. I went ~ to the Herat Theacer which was the unly theater in Afghanistan where one can see women entertainers. 3ut the theater was closed anci chere was nothing to indicate its past spiendor. Though the city vias controlled by the guvern- ment army, it was said that many guerrillss were hiding there. In fact I heard the noise of rifle�shooting many _ times at night. The manager of the hotel told me that it was dangerous _ to sieep in bed as I might be struck by a stray bullet, so 1 siept in a sleeping bag on the tloor. I took a mini-bus from there to tslam-kalar un the - border. A customs officer welcomed me as 1 was the tirst Japanese he had seen in six months. He told me that liis boss, who had been working with him as the only cutoms _ statf inember, was killed when he was guir,g back to Herat - by bus at the beginning of March when the bus was attacked with rifles. All 45 passengers were killed. Accord� ing to the official, they had been kept busy before the kussians came as many people passed the border, at a maximum 2,000 persons a day. He shrugged his shoulders - saying, "What a sorry state we are in!" I fe(t reluciant to leave the country, but as I had achieved what I intended, f passed over the desert border and entered lran. _ 8 FOR OFFIC:[AL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/48: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300054419-3 FOR Or VIC7 ;L USE ONLY - What impressed me most during my 16-day stay in ~ Afghanistan was that both Afr,han government army troops and Suviet troops were acting separately in their own way, :und no cuncerted accions were being taken. While Russian _ suldiers were riding in new trucks, Afghan soldiers were using damaged ones. While the Russians were keeping their eyes upun toreigners, the gqvernment troops did not pay any attention to us. _ Only ihe Soviet troops were fighting the guerrillas, and there was no contact between the government troops and - the guer*illas, it was said. Such informatiun was given to me - by the shop owners in Kabul and Herat bazaars. For fear uf betrayal by the Afghaii croups, the Soviets did not provide them wlth helicopters or large weapons. The guerrillas do not intend to fight against the government troops but only against the Soviets. The Russian troups - have supreme predominance over their Afghan counterparts in weapoiiry. But in individual fighting ability, the guerrillas are superiur to the Russian soidiers who are apparently not highly trained. Afghans look intrepid and fearless, but in fact are courteous and meek. Why should they suffer from such turments and pains, now that we have progressed almost to the 21st century! They have been enjoying a tranquil life in - Hindu Kush. But their anti-Soviet and anti�Karmal senti- ment has never waned. I felt strongly that they were united in supporting the guerrillas. One intellectual middle�aged man 1 met in Kabul emphasized that Afghanistan was different from Czechoslovakia. The shop owners in the bazaars also told me tha[ they would never surrender to the 5oviets. The fight of the non-compromising Afghans wili continue. As an Asian, I sincerely hope that the Afghan people will be able to restore their own land based on the _ principle of self�deter�nination. Note: - The information that the invading Soviet troops were - using poisonous gas against the Afghan guerrillas was re- peated formally and informally by ttie U.S. State Depart- - ment and other sources from the time immediately after - the invasion staned at the end of last year. Jack Anderson, a well�known columnist, has quoted iniormation reportedly frorri U.S. intelligence sources that these gases were biolo- gical chemical ones strong enough to kill people 30 minutes after they have once been inhaled. 0 COF'YRIGtIT : 1980 The Nihon Kokyo Shimbun CSO: 4920 9 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY . APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02148: CIA-RDP82-44850R000300054419-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY - ALGERIA SUBTLE BLEND OF ISLAM,REVOLUTiON TIQ - COLTN'FRY , Paria Mr1RCHES TItOPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS in French 19 Sep $0 p 2279 [Article: "Algerian Chronicle: Implementation Attempt by Revolutionary Islam"] [Text] Aasociation of the concepts of Islam and of revolution has long been diffic.ult for westerns to conceive, accuatomed as they are to classic and often conservative stereotypes of Moslem doctrine and society. Perhaps it was the FLN in Algeria, tyiftg together the ide$ of revolution and those of anticolonial war and liberation, that first gave a clear picture of a revolutionary overtone to the Muslim armed struggle. - In any event it was the Alger3an National Charter of 1976 that, , in recomending a transition from reformist Islam to revolutionary Islam introduced the latter among the ideological fundamentals of the Algerian state, and offers it todaq to world opinion as a political and soc3al reality. Under the aegie of President Boumediene a few large-scale economic and social - measures were i'n f.act undertaken, such as Land Reform and Socialist management of enterprisee, with their implication of bold departure from classic interpretations of IAlam, especially regarding property rights. Moreaver the reg3me, without having recourse to official exegesis, allowed itself modern interpretationa of the Islamtc sources, taking the position for example tha.t in contrast to Roman law, the Koran only gave sanctity to private property insofar as its uae for - the general welFare. - It ia true rhat innovative measures were not promulgated in Algeria in all domains. Thus it is that in matters of peraonal statute and family law revolutionary - Algeria ia still holding off from taking a position. It has not yet, and probably never will adopt liberal solutions for the benefit of women; it appears - very heaitant about following the example of Tunisia and Morocco, which have made _ provision by legislation or contract for the abolition or voluntary limitation of polygamy. Moalem opposition to change is especially vigoroua and obstinate in Algeria; and subjected to the clandestine but persever3ng action of currents of Islamic fundamentalism, it is even discernible among the youth. 10 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02148: CIA-RDP82-44850R000300054419-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Archaistic and Fundamentalist Reactions - Under the regime of President Chadli Bendjedid, the purpose of dealing with the _ Coiality of economic and social problems with an enhanced sense of realism surelq involvas the denial of no principle and upholds the formula consecrated by the Charter of Revolutionary Islam. But it would seem to imply more reservations regarding bold socioeconomic interpretations; in rural affairs, for inatance, if the agrarian revolution continues, concern for encouraging the most profitable enterprises inspires a number of msasures favorable to the "pxivate sector," an - area where Moslem practice is generally traditionalist, if not archaistic. The "clt!an-up" operation begun in the fall af 1979, which contiaues in the form of a general revision of utilization and exploitatior~ of the territory, as well as a restructuring of usban and rural housiag, hae often been interpreted, as aiming towards restoration of morality; the authorities have had to put an end - to attempts by over-zealous youth attacking couples living together, and they even ~ aspired to exerciae control over what weat on in private hames. In Algeria one ia faced with a problem of modern Moslem training, alI the more - difficult to deal with in that it superimposes upon many other very urgent problems - of training. As for Moslem matters, the first order of business would be to train the trainers. Tn the meanwhile, the proliferation of mosques, and conaequent multiplication of priests, even preachera, mostly of inediocre education, in a traditional way, persistent cu].ts of marabouts [holy men, priests, shrines] especially in Che counCryeide; a residual fraternal activity often mediocre in quality, bordering on charlatanism, all work togeCher to keep popular Islam in Algeria in a partially archaic state. An element of forward movement might, on the other hand, be represented by the young students doing Arabic studies. But their spotty education, their often narrow-minded outlook, their understaudable anxiety in the face of the danger of underemployment, impose atrmmary reactions upon theffi. This samP youth has indeed been observed taking sides vigorously and often - violently at the time of the L:niversity incidents provoked by the Berberism criais. - One co uld discern there an admixture of integrist elements, whose thrust, far from tending towards progressivist action, were oriented towa.rds reaction. However opposed it may wish Co appear to fundamentalist religious currents, the _ Algerian government cannot deceive itself on the iseue that the Arabization policy especially encourages the circles leaning in that direction. A Doctrinal clarification The semi--official information media are striving to bring thiags into focus. The press and radio broadcasting, which play an important role in shaping the attitudes of this vast public, vigorously oppose these aCtempts to subvert the - national Islamic effort by integrists and worshippers of the past. Bearing the title "Islam, Liberation and Progress," the 9 August issue of EL MOUDJAHID, reporting the ceremonies ofthe "Night of Destiny,1' recalls the - ii FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/48: CIA-RDP82-44850R000300054419-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY - watchword of the social revolution formulated by the Charter for Aigerian Islam, militant Islam, enamored of justice, equality and knowledge; then clearly deaignating the integrists without naming them, it denounces "the nebulous messagea of certain preachers [sic] in troubled waters who abuse the faith of Ctie Ay.geriaus to drag them into an aberrant moralism, the falling back onto sel�," a teaching alien to the principles of Islam. These people would like to "restore anachxonism in a world that eacapes them, and in the name of purification and - moral virtue rally under one banner the last survivors of our traditional feudal caste and big buainesamen who hate socialism and progress." They puraue "aesimilation by the goatee and the djellaba" [Moroccan smock], a.n allusion to - the external appearance affected by the young fundamentalists. Ttie chronicler goes on to say that the important thing is to go much further and work "a total reform of society by decisive changes that put a definitive end to obscurantism, deapotism, feudalism." To serve the agrarian revolution, Socialist mana.gement of enterprises and scientific research does not diminish faith in Islam: "i[ is a modern way, ajust and non-demagogic way to serve Islam." Instruction - aims "to deepen Islamic faith in a context of progress and justtce." This faith must be protected against "seditious and charlatanist elements that try to under- mine the common task of the revolution and Islam in Alger3.a, by exploiting the deficiencies and certain contradictiona t:iat have agpeared in society." In Algeria, Islam and revolution are therefore called upon to make "common cause." - It is not a queation here of a hollow formula: in many respects the goals of - Ielamic doctrine and the rew lutionary thinking of Algeria are identical or very cloae. The etruggle against maraboutism and deviant fraternal organization activity has very precise social and even medical.justifications, ar;d at the same = time it suita the devoteea of orthodox Islam by conforming to the need to uproot deviations based on superstition that are often leftovers of paganiam. The revision of the relationships between capital arad labor concern not only social Justice, but equity preacribed by God. The fact still remaina that however clear - the principlea, the concatenafiion of oppositions by integrista, worshippers of the past and reactionaries ia often a stubborn reality. COPYRIGHT: Rene Moreux et Cie Paris 1980 2750 CSO: 4400 12 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY IRAN OFFICIAL JAPANESE SOURCE GIVES EDGE TO IRAN Tokyo ;VIHON KEIZAI SHTMBUN in Japanese 8 Oct 80 p 1 [Article: "Iran-Iraq War Will Last Long; Foreign Ministry Revises its View" [Text] A Foreign Ministry source on the 7th revealed a view on the Iran-Iraq - war. He said that "A full-scale war will not last for a long time to come, because both of the two countries have only limited supplies of weapons and amnnunition." At the same time, however, he revealed the following views: "There is little poasibility of cessation of hostiliti.es in the near future, and the present hostilities will continue, although their scale may be reduced." _ This means that the Foreign Ministry has revised, in practice, the view it held unCil recently, or the view thathostilities wi11 not become protracted. The same source also touched upon the war situation, and pointed out as follows: "At the start of the war, the Ir.aqi eide was in a superior position. However, the war came to a sta7,emate around the 28th day af last month." He also said that the poeition of the Iranian .forces has improved coaspicuously recently, and that the Iraqi aide ie losing its overwhelmingly superior position. He pointed oiit that there is sufficient room for the Iranian side 2:0 launch counterattacks _ upon the enemy, because Iran has not yet brought into use all of its about 1,000 helicopters and the air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles left by the U.S. forces. _ The I'oreign Minietry source thinks that Iran is in an advantageous position, as far as air battles are concerned, partly for geographical reasons. He expects that fierce battles will develop hereafCer for the damination of the air. He said that the batCles in Khorramshahr inside Iranian territory will gain enough importance Co determine the future of the war, and stressed the necessity of watChing the battles in this district. According to this source, neither side hae gained control of this district as yet. - Ae for the prospect for the restoration of peace, the same source again empha- sized that "There is no alternative but to rely on the Islamic nations." He thinks, however, that there is little possibility of efforts at mediation pro- ducing vieible effects at once. He also thinks that "The Arab nations harbor _ strong anxiety over the poesibility of Iraq's becoming a leader of the Arab world by winning an overwhelming victory in the present war." [Full transla- - tion] [TN: Some other papers carried similar reporta.] COPYRIGHT: Nihon ICeizai Shimbuneha 1980 CSO: 4105 - 13 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007102/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY IRAN ARAB ALICNMENT IN GULF WAR ASSESSED Tokya MAII~YCHI DAILY NEWS in Engliah 15 Oct 80 p 2 [Editorial; "Perilous Aspect of Ndideast"] [Text] . Under the circunistances; the fightlng between Irag and Iran is likely -to be prolonged for lack of a _ powerful mediator.- As neither side may win a decisive victory, the political map of the Middle East will undergo change. - A new split is- occurring in the so-called Arab .unity in -eonnectaon with the Arab-Israel con- frontation. It is now evident that the Iraq-Lran war cannot be,analyzed without taking ir.to cansideratlon the question of Arabs ds. Israelis. Since two -major countries .in the Gulf area are engaged in fighting, it is, orily natural that regfonal �instability will be further escalated. We have called �nn the two belligerents to stop fighting imlmediately, but there is littIe prospect of an early cease-fire, mainly because the other courrtries eoncerned have iio intentian to mediate in the dispute. � - Both " the United States and the Smriet- Union, which have played an important role in the easing of tension in the Mideast, still.remain firm not to in- tervene fn the current dispute. The two super,powers -are too ronscious of each other's moves. Such - Arabian countries as Saudi Arabia and Jordan on the - list of the "doves" have shown sympathy toward .the Iraqi cause while the "hawks" ;.ncludfng Syria and Lfbya have declared support for Iran. 1Vieanwhile, Egypt, ffsmly maintaining its neutral position, has - refused to move either way. � There is no love lost between Syria and iraq over -the conirontation on the question=of the fnternational Baath Arab Socialist Party. With the emergence of ,tevolutionary Iran, Saudi Arabia moved closer to the '.Arab hawks in terms of anti-Israeli strategy. The 14 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007102/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OI�'FICIAL USE ONLY downfall of Iran at th'is time may restIff ia * the dis- _ engagement of Saudi Arabia from the hawks and isolation of Syria in the Arab camp. , � Verging oa the Israe'.i border. Syr#q. cannot soft- =pedal its hitherto tough line. Its G jlan 'HeighU sre still being occupied by'Israel. All this aecouuts far the hurried visit to Moscow of President Assad and the conclusion of the Soviet-Syrian Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. In terms of the Arab strategy vis-a- vis Israel, however, the hawks cannot toterate the ' . possible dropout of Iraq rrom their lfne. The same thing can be said of Jqrdan and Saudi Arabia which have sided with Iraq in the ctrrent flareup. Iran has certainly posed a threat to Saudi Arabia as a revolutionary country, but it does, not want the emergence Af a powerful Iraq in the Guli area as a result of tbe fighting: . U.N. Secretary General Kurt Waldheim was _ quoted as saying that the fighting between Iraq and Iran may last for a year or two. To our regret, the _ present situation appears to endorse.his prediction. . COPYRIGH'r: Mainichi Daily News 1980 CSO: 4920, 15 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007102/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FdR OFFICIAL USE ONLY , , MAURITANIA OULD MOUKNASS UNDER HOUSE ARREST Parie JEUNE AFRTQUE in French 24 Sep 80 p 37 [Article: "How To Save Ould Mouknass"] [Text] Former Foreign Miniater (1968-1978) Hamdi Ould Mouknass is back home in Nouadhibou. He has been placed there in an assigned residence aince 11 5eptember, the day he wae tranaferred after over a year of imprisonment without trial at Boumdeid, north of Kiffa (in the South). All those who interceded in his favor with Colonel Khouna Ould Haidalla now hope that the Preaident will perform another geature by liftfflg his assigned residence etatus. For Hamdi Ould Mouknaes's state of health requires constant care, as at age 47 he is seriously ill. The treatment he received in Paris in February, then in June 1979, was then to be repeated in November or December. The CMSN [Military _ Committee for National Salvation] muat have possibly found some new resson to dis- truet him, if they have refused to allow this trip to France. For Hamdi Ould _ Mouknaes returned punctually to Mauritania after his February and June treatmeats. And no one has forgotten that in July 1978, after the downfall of Moktar Ould Daddah, he voluntarily left Khartoum (Sudan), where he was participating in the fif.teenth OAU Summit as Foreign Minister, to return to his country. Added proof of his loyalty to his country, over and above whatever regime: he returned with - two checks Cotalling $10 million in aid, one from Iraq, the other from the United Arab EmirAtes. But perhaps in the eyes of the CMSN Paris represents too much of a place nf temptation for an eventual rall,ying of the opposition. If this be the case, Pxesident Haidalla is well aware that there are other countries beside France where Hamdi Ould Mouknass could get the care his atate o� health requires. COPYRIGHT: Jeune Afrique GRUPJIA 1980 2750 CSO: 4400 16 ' Pnu nPLIT(ITAT rtcR nnrr.V APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007102/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY - MAURITANIA _ BRIEFS - CATTLE DECIMEITED BY DROUGHT--More than 70 percent of the livestock were decimated i.n the East and Central. regions of Mauritania due to the delay in the rainfall, according to an announcement on 9 September by Mr Mohamed Ould Amar, Mauritanian minister of Rural Development. The delay and paucity of rainfall might ruin the _ season for farming, he said; in July some farming areas got only 40 percent of their normal precipitation. The consequences of an overly short rainy season will be catastruphic for the livestock because the fodder plants will not have completed their vegetative cycle before the season of great heat (October). In 1979, a year when Mauritania was one of the countries of the Sahel most affected by the drought, the country's grain deficit was on the order of 75,000 tons, most of which was made up by the international community (See MTM 25 Aug 80, p 2131). (Text] [Paris - MARCHES TROPtCAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS in French 19 Sep 80 p 22911 2750 RECIONAL BUDGETS APPROVED--The Mauritanian Council of Ministers on 3 September examined and adopted draft decrees on approva.l of the budgets for FY 1980 of the Ecllowing regions, budgets which balance in receipts and expenditures according to the figures that foll.ow (in millions of ouguiya): Brakna: 15.9; Trarza: 29.6; _ Gargol: 18.2; Tagant: 13.6; Assaba: 15.3; Guidimaka: 9.7. Al1 of these 'oudgets are - characterized by a drop in operating expenses, in accordance with Che austerity - pulicy and a substantial increase in the percentage of credits allucated for equip- ment and development. [Text] (Paris MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS in French 19 5ep SO p 2291] 2750 iRAQI LOAN--A loan of $45 million was granted to Mauritania by Iraq, according to _ an announcement �rom Bagdad on 5 September. In accordance with an Iraqi-Mauritanian aKreemenk concluded last May at Bagdad the Iraqi government allocated a long-term credit of $45 million earmarked for implementation of various development projects in Mauritania. [Text] [Paris TROPICAIJX ET MEDITERRANEENS in French 19 Sep 80 p 2291] 2750 P'ED GI2ANT CUR DAM--With cofinancing of German. aid and other - [:uropean Development Fund will grant Mauritania a 9,385,000 Unit] grant for the Foum Gleita dam within the framework of Noir. [Text] [Paris MARCHES TROPICAUX ET MEDITERRANEENS in 9380 CSO: 4400 17 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY financial backers, the ECU [European Currency the management of Gorgol French 26 Sep 80 p 23531 I APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007102/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLi' MOROCCO - EFFEGTS ON, SAHARAN WAR ON ECONOMY Paris JEUNE AFHIQUE in French B Oct 80 pp 32-33 - [Article by Abde].aziz Dahmani: "It's Not Only the Sahara"] [Textl Theze xas a skit on Moroccan television last month by the superb _ singing duo, Bziz and Baz, where the humor was only equa,l to ttse insolence. The ecene took place in the butcher shop. The first customer, an e,verage Moroccan, offered 20 rials, equal to 1 di.rham or some 55 CFA francs, just to - sniff a piece o.f ineat, xhich he aould not afford because of the current skyhigh - - prices. The eecond customer, asoaiety woman, in turn bought all the choicest pieces on display for her dog. , Thia scene about daily life and so many others, were unthinka,ble Just 6 months ago. Horaever, it realistica]ly portrays the situation 3n early auturnn 1980. There are more and more democratic freedoms and fear ha,s diminished, but the _ other side o.f the coin is tha.t the economic and social life has become increasingly difficult. Some point the fingrer: it is caused by the xar in the Saha,ra.... F'u17. Force This is paxtial.ly true. The "recovery of the provinces in tha south" was, _ rough].y speaking, the leaven of democratization, with the need to close ranks and unite all parties behind King Hasean II. Since 1976, this has led little . by 1lttlo to removing pressurea, releasing many political prisonexs and _ grantinq amnesty to all opponen,ts livi.ng abroad.... Hoxever, the costly Sahara war has also made da.ily life more difficult, xith ita quota systems, deprivations and higher prices. The latter affected families with modest incRmes full force on 5 September 1980, when sugar, oil, miZk, butter and fl.our increased 34 peroent because the Compensation P'und _ co�7.d no longer artifica.lly gupport the price of all these 3taples. The war is nAt the only cause of all the difficulties in Morocco. It is impossible - to estima.te its actual cost because mar~y military bills---thanTs to the - solidaxity of some countries, especia,lly Saudi Arabia--do not coms under the ,jurisdiction of the bookkeepers. 18 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007102/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY In 1979, for the first time, the petroleum bill (purchase of 4.5 million tons) wau more (2.437 billion dirhams, apprnximtely 125 bi111on CFA t3anc$) thaxi the revenues from the sale of phospha,tes (1.878 billion dirha.ms), the principal wealth of the country. There is another xorry: the sale of citrus fruits, the eecond l.argest income earner, in 1979 brought in 859 million dirhams, much leas than wheat purchases (973 million). With equipment outlays, the trade deficit exceeded 7 billion airhamg in 1979�..in 1980, there was a ~ ~ump in exports: 5.027 billion dirhams for the firat 6 months, compared xith .5 billion im importa. Gloor,inesa With orfic3_ally more than 20 million inhabitants this year, Morocco's main problem is to hal.t a certain deterioration in the living conditione of most citizens, withoiit endangering its basic options and its economic liberalism, and without frightening too much a nationa.l private sector xhich provided 45 percent of the investments for the current five-year (1978-1982) plan. However, the gloomy world econony and domestic problems ha.ve meant tha,t less than 60 percent of the p7.an's ob3ectives have thus far been achieved. To stir up the humdrum routine, King Has$an TI took charge of some matters under the jurisdiction of the goverrinient and parlia.ment. He added econorai.c and socia.l concerns recently to defense and foreiga affa3.ra, his private doraains. _ Royal Ma.nna He spent 3everal weelm in Ca.sablanca in July and August, trying to bring oxde.r to the Qoonomic capital which has 2.5 million inhabitants and attracts rural - migranta. Hassan II also had to attack the crucial problems of rent and education, while a comniittee of re�lection, headed by i'rime Minister Maati Bouabid, examined the economy. Certainly, to soothe social tensions, tho _ king ordered, on 20 August 1980, a one-thi.rd reduction in the rents of a11 wage-earners ma,king less than 1,500 dirhams a month and he exempted bui7.dera of residential housing f.rnm taxes for 15 years. In education, the monarch reversed some decisions af his education minister, - Azzedlna Tara,ki, who iavors lim3ti.ng ad.fiissions to the universities. The - king he7.d a co].loquy at I:frane from 28 to 31 August 1980 to di.scuss the problema o:� na,tiona,l oducation with the ma,jor political groups in the country. It uas a success. The ber;inning of the sahool year, at the lower and university tevels, wifolded calmly; this is important because there are some 3 raillion atudents (2.2 mil.lion in primary schools, 700,000 3.n secondaxy schools and - 80,000 in higher education,) not including 85,000 teachers and professors. tdost oi' f,hese teachers held a ao-ca,lled political strike in 1979 dema,nding tho relea.se of their colleagves and students in prison and the removal of the h,in on the UNE114 [Nationa,l Union of Moroccan 3tudents]. This strike, like thoso of the nost office em loyees and workera in the health field,enhanced the popul.arity o:F the USFP ~Socialist Union of Popular Forces] of lawyer Abderranim Aoua,bid, who, despite several invitations, never wished to pa.rticipate in the government coalition. 19 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007102/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY He headed the largest o-f the four committees at the Ifrane colloquy, on the 1980-1981. university openi . Tt recommended and obtained a laxger number of admisqions .for students11imited until then to 14,310 plus 15,000 by competition, ) increased -facillties for additional facult,y, more achol.arships and improved hoiisi.ng conditions. Poox and Ignorant Thus fa.r., the palace ha.g mad.e many gestures to the USFP to thaw the political atmoaphere. In a3dition to the measures on education and rents (the USFP on7y asked tha,t they be .frozen)ithere was the release of political prisoners, except thQ "pro-PoZiaario" prisoners= amnesty for a. large nwaber of exiles; among them, AbderrahmaaYous"i (Fkih Basri's case is an exception) and proFessional reinstatement of ma,ny of the 1979 strikers. Finally, in mid- September, the trial of the a,ssassins o� Omar Ben3elloun, a ma3or figure in the IJSi,"P, xas heldt two were sentenced to death. , The [t,FP ha,s practically besn cornered into participating in the new government : which the who7.e country has been talk3ng a'bout for ssveral weeks. However, one wonders if the paxty leaders xant to overcome their quarrels of yssteryear. Onty the Sahara affair has thim fax made them agrse. Th3s affair no longer has the importance it did at the time o.f the Green I1arch. This is all the more - so becausa all danger of a military defeat seerns removed, people say in Morocco. Suddenly, the field .f.or maneuver is naxrower. The yeaxs 1980 and 1981 may be crucial if Morocco wishes to meet the economic and social ehallenge of the year 2000. At the Ifrane colloquy, Hassan II said that if the country kept on with its present education progra.ms, it would find itself poor and ignorant. - GOfYRIGHT: Jeune Afrique GRUPJIA 1980 9479 CSO s 14400 20 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02108: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY MOROCCO zfli~'G HASSAN' S REMARI~S ON JERUSALEM OCCUPATION, .~~gTIt�iGSi3'E".;;, ~ Paris NIARC " TROPICAUX ET ASEDITERRANEIId5 in F'ren;ch 10 Oct 80 p 24,56 ~ [Text] The al qo ds ( Jeruttalem) Committee, the offahoot of the Is].wmi.c Conference founded in 1968 in Morocco, usually rnests in Fez. For King Haussan, it ia a dipYomatic tool all tho more useful because other circumatances, in part3cular, . the Seharan matter, hss soured his relations with soffie Arab or Moslem governmenta. Consequently, the Moiroccan soverEign xaus on hand and gave an important apsech on 1$ 5eptember 1980l at the opening of the extraordinary canference of Islamic countries, brought together by this committee to atudq mea.surea to oppose the Israeli encrnachment on Jeruealem. apeaking "in the na,me of the I4oslem community," King Hassan told the = Palestinia,ng: "You are not the only ones who lost a1. Qods, and we are going to _ rrin it tack together because al Qods is the sacred cause of evezy Maale.m ma.n and Koma.n." He added the word "djihad" ha,d to be given its ,present meaning, that of the elaboration of a plan of eff.ective strategic, militarg, psychological - and political action, and that the support to be given to the ca,use by all Moslem countries and the means to oppose the enev~y had to be minutely defined. The latter had fallen into the same tra,p as Nazism: he despiaed religiotug balief and huma.n dignity s"I.f we can take advantage of his errors. xe oan overcome his despotism and vanity." - The Moroccan sovereign Trnew the texm "d3fha,d" was often trans7.ated in the West, purely and simply, by "holy war," while its full meaning waas "effort in the peith o.f God." Thus, his rema,rks on this sub ject were also addressed to Western opinion. Thia battle to be waged, he speci#'ied, was not a mod.ern version of religfous warR "but we must form relig3.ous fronts, lea,gues of hixma,n rights, associations, to stand up to the effarts to plunder the people." Nevertheless,the idea of war wa.s not re,jected: "When I talk of "d,jihad," it means etrerything...." The ki.ng's recommandations were reflected apparently in point 23 of the f. ina.1 recommendatione of the eonferences "The Islamic nations announce their complete Bupport oF the "d�iihad," with the vast huma,n implica,tions involved, knoxing tha,t it means reaistanee ox struggle against the Zionist eneny in a11 areas-- mil3tary, political, economic, cultural and in the media." The plan of actior, to be drawn up f.or this end rill have to be, as King Hassan stated initially, ai FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02108: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY submittad to the Islamic Summit which will be held in Saud3 Arabia at the begiruting of the XVth centuxy (year. 1401) of the Hegira, which will. - "de.finitively c].ose Moslem ran3rs." Returning to the subject of Jorusalem during a press conference on ~ 21 3eptomber 1980 at tho Ifrane palace, King Haesan stated Jerus alem must first return to its pre-Six Day War statue and then a definitive solution could be contemplated; this remark was proba,bly to assuage the aensitivitiss of King Huesein of Jordan. Continuing lliploma.tic Effort for "Moroccan Sahara" D?Lring the same gress con.ference, the sovereign again optimistically mentioned the recommendations approved 11 September 1980 at Freetot+n by the OAU Committee of Wise Men*, although his mini.ster of foreign a,ffairs, Mr Boucetta, stated the document contained nothing new and stigntatized "Africa's flight .from its = responsibilities." King Hassan felt that " Freetown II was better for Morocco than Freetorrn I." However, a referendum in 6lestern Sahara, under the super- viBion of the OAU and the United. Nations, i.n no way meets wi.th Morocco's favor; ~ it feels tha,t the people haee already cleaxly and adequately expressed their ohoice 3.n its favor. By insisting that the Freetown recommenda,tions be submitted to a aonfersnce at the OAU Summit which he xill attend, King Hassan perhaps is revealing part of his pl.an. Morocco will certainly insist that the decision 3e made by a ' txo-thirds majority, and the king hopes, careful not to commit himself too much, that somo African head.s o.� state will support this p1an; in that case, it is 11ke].y the Freetown text xill not be approved. All the diplomatic ~ work patiently done in the OAU framexork will be thue made useless. Meanwhile, the Moroccan Government is shoxi.ng the importance it attaches to , the .fact that pro-Moroccan Saha.ran organizations received a hearing in Frsetown ; 1.ike the Polisario. The best-known organization is AOSARIO [Aasociation of Natives of 5aguiet al Hamra and Rio de Oro.] There were nine other sma.ll graupa at Freetown and their var:tety, in the face of the aingle party of the Polisaxiol should bear witnesa to the democratic freedoms in Moroccos _ MOREHOB [Revolutionazy Movement of the Blue Men]i FLU [Front for I,iberation and Unity] and PUNS [Party of 5aharan Nationa.l Unity].... - According to certain observers, several participa,nts at the Freetown conference noted with interest that the president of the Alg+erian Republic, Mr Chadli BeixUedid, who attended the fi.rst day's meeting, spoke in a subtle, moderate me.nner. He indicated Algeria's willingness "to iae.ke all possible efforts to e.liminate the true causes of tension and conflict," recalled hi.ts country "haci no texxitorial or economi.c claims," and atressed his position on the - se1-P-detorminat:ion of the Saharan peopls and his wish to aid the latter to exercise this right derlving from pri.ncip7.es which could not be negotiated "but this doos not mean we oppose the brother Moroccan people, toxard xhom *See MARCHES TRO PTCAUX ET MED7:TERRANEENS, issue 1819, 19 September 1980, p 2285 22 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007102/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY we �eol. a11 sentiments of friendship and esteem." Rurnoxs about possib7.e secret negotiations were rife, but there is nothing to conf. irm them. On the contraxy, it has boen noted tha,t the Algerian media ; continue$ to follor+ a hard line; it publiaized, among other things, the Fbl.isaxio'6 capture of militaiy equipment of South Africa,n ori.gin; in ~ part.iculax, tanlcES used by the Morocean forces. Continued C'ighting in the South - "r'ighti.rg r,antinuea in f,he territory of the former Spanish Sahnra and in "uncontested" southern Morocco. The Moroccan media stateg ~hat the Polisario - wi11 a?.xays, during African diplomatic meQtings, step up o2erations to incrE~asa its credibility. Ea,ch belligerent has, moreover, in the c=rent stago of ho:3tilities, rea.sona far claiming the advantage. The 3aharane continue to harra.se Maroccan gAx�risons often in the former Spanish terxitory; but, no doulrt bacause of the Moroccan air force activity, the Pol isario no 1.onger commits large numbers of troops in this zone; it has, _ however, carried out large operatious, for example, agai.net Smara (23 and 24 pug�st 1980) and especia7.ty againet Laayoun, by sea (18 Segrtem'ber 1980.) On tho othQr hand, in southern Morocco, the trnops committed are sizable on both sidosi the Moroccan farces claim to ha,ve the initiat,irre with their combina.tion of large garrisone and mobile units [DIR - Rapid Intervention Units] which attract the Saharans to suffioiently fortifiad places i+hich ca,n be rield against surprise attacks and thus expos e e them to harsh counteratta.ck. , . From now on, it rrill be a war of attrition which the Saha.rans can only feed by r.ecruiting in ne3.ghboring countries, like 14suritania whiah provides one-thirci of their troops and w3.th whom the Polisarie rema3ns on good terms by regularly _ relesaing some of its Niauritanian prisoners. Consequently, relations between htorocco and Mauritania are deteriorating. coPrxzcHr: xene MoreuX et aiA Paris 1980 ~ 9479 - C3n : 4400 23 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY WESTERN SAHARA ALGERIA MITIGATES POLISARIU INTRANSTGENCE - Paris JEUNE AI'RIQUF in French 1 Oct 80 p 33 [TextJ A battle took place between the POLISARIO and the Moroccan army on 18 September east of Tarafaya in uncontested Morocco. The guerillas ambushed - several units of the Lsrak group (JA No 1029). The result: a serious "loss" on both sidea. Each of the twa antagoniats apeaks of a clear victory with an impressive liat of dead and materiel destroqed or recovered from-`tihaeadversary. Thie battle, started "from position" by the POLISARIO, occurred at a point named after Freetown TI (the meeting of the OAU wisemen, 9-12 September). The Front is thus avoiding the demobilization of its troops, which suffered several reversals lately. And it is showing its friends that it is not at an impasse. For the rreetown meeting led to an inextricable situation. The counnittee of the wisemen cA11ed for the organization of a referendum among the Saharan population ' without requiring that the Moroccans leave.�the Sahara region, either administratively or militarily. Thia is something new. The omission passed for a gesture towarde Rnbnt, a gesture which would not have been possible if Algeria had not tempered the inCransigence...of the POLISARTO. , , In his 10 September hearing behind closed doors Ibrahim Hakim, the SDAR [Saharan Democratic Arab Republic] minister of foreign affairs first refuaed any consultation with the populations, affirming that "self-determination has already been achieved by the War of Liberation." That very evening PreaidenC-Chadli,.Benjedid convaked the PQLISARIO delegation at his vi11a. The next day, still behind closed doors and again - through Ibrahim Hakim, the POLISARIO took a step backwards. COPYRIGHT: Jeune Afrique GRUPJIA 1980 9380 CSO: 4400 24 F(1R (1FPTI`T6T. TTCF, f1NT.Y APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02148: CIA-RDP82-44850R000300054419-3 - FOR OFFICIAL U5E ONLY _ WESTERN SAHAIiA BRTEFS ALGERIAN ROLE IN WAR--Precisely because cf the atmosphere of trust reestablished between the two governments on the occasion of Jean Francois-Poncet's viait to Algiers (18-20 September) and the good relations which Paris has maintained with Rabat, Algeria would like to aee France play "a role" in finding a solution in the Sahara. President Chadli Benjedid evoked this posaibility when receiving the French head of diplomacy. It aeema, however, that Paris is not inclined to depart from its "neutrality," but will encourage the parties to the conflict to find a solution themaelves. Moreover, Algeriana and Moroccans met again secretly in early September. But Algeria deplores the Moroccan intranaigence, itself being unable to drop the POLISARIO too roughly. The latter would then have Libya for ita aole aupport and "manipulator," [Text) [Paris JEUNE AFRIQUE in French 1 Oct 80 p 47] 9380 C50: 4400 END 25 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2007/02/08: CIA-RDP82-00850R000300050019-3