Mrs. Meir Stipulates Conditions for Permitting Repair Work on Jordanian Canal

Premier Golda Meir said today that Israeli soldiers would not prevent Jordanian workmen from repairing the East Ghor irrigation canal, damaged by Israeli commandos a week ago, provided that the Jordanian Government took immediate measures to stop its Army and restrain El Fatah guerrillas from attacks on Israeli border settlements across the cease-fire demarcation line.

Mrs. Meir addressed the Knesset at the opening of a debate on the functions of the Prime Minister’s office. But she devoted most of her remarks to what she called the escalation of Arab belligerence and increased cease-fire violations during the past two months.

Jordanian workers attempting to repair the East Ghor canal were driven off by Israeli gunners several times last week. Two Jordanian trucks were reportedly set afire Saturday. Attempts to make the repairs at night by using floodlights were also frustrated by Israeli sharpshooters from the Jordan’s West Bank. The Ghor Canal, Jordan’s largest irrigation project, runs parallel to the Jordan River and about a mile inland from it.

The canal diverts part of the waters of the Yarmuk River, a Jordan tributary, to irrigate some 50 miles of farmlands on the Jordan’s East Bank. Until a week ago, the canal was left alone by Israel although it was clearly vulnerable. The commando raid which blasted its concrete dikes and sent its waters pouring back into the Yarmuk came after repeated shellings of Israeli settlements and border patrols by Jordanian Army regulars and guerrillas. Mrs. Meir reportedly warned King Hussein of Jordan twice before the commandos went into action.

Mrs. Meir told the Knesset that from June 1-29 records showed 111 cases of firing from the Jordanian side and that in 16 instances, Jordanian Army units were involved. She said that along the Suez Canal in the same period, Egyptian artillery fired 333 barrages and Egyptian soldiers crossed to the canal’s east bank five times in violation of the cease-fire agreements of June, 1967.

In addition, she said, there were “a number of mine planting cases.” The Premier expressed concern over what she described as a heavy concentration of saboteurs in the southern region of Lebanon but said she hoped Lebanese authorities would be able to deal with the problem themselves.

In remarks clearly addressed to Amman, Mrs. Meir said it was Israel’s wish that farmers on both sides of the Jordan could till their fields in peace. She said Israel was well aware of the “value and blessing” of water for development and growth. She said however that Israel would “act along the cease-fire lines on the basis of reciprocity. Anybody who fails to honor the cease-fire and shoots at us cannot claim immunity from the results of his aggression. Those who attack us should not be surprised if they are hit back seven-fold.”

Mrs. Meir blamed the Four Power Mideast talks, which Israel opposes, for the increase of “aggressive tendencies” on the part of the Arabs since the talks began. She said the talks may create a “gap” between Israel and the United States and added, “While Israel regards some of the clauses of the American plan for discussion by the Four Powers with utmost gravity, Israel does not doubt the true and basic friendship that this great power harbors for us and we appreciate the salutory results of that friendship.” Premier Meir said she was pleased to accept President Richard M. Nixon’s invitation to meet with him in Washington because there is a need for friendly dialogue between Israel and the U.S. She said that differences between Israel and Britain were clarified during her visit to London earlier this month. She expressed hope that relations with France would improve in the near future.