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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Arab Information Ministers have declared their support for all African Liberation Movements, and particularly the Soviet-backed MPLA forces, fighting for the control of Angola.

A statement issued after two days of meetings, on Monday (16 February), said the Ministers were behind he Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, and against intervention by imperialist and racist forces in the civil war-torn territory.

The ministers also expressed support for Somalia against France. in the dispute over control of the French territory of the Afars and Issas on the horn of Africa.

In addition, the Ministers said they would continue to raise the issue of Arabs under arrest in Israeli-held territory, including Jerusalem Archbishop, Hilarion Capucci. He was jailed for 12 years by an Israeli Military court in 1974 on charges of smuggling arms to guerrillas. Arab Governments were recommended by the Ministers to issue a special stamp with a photograph of the Prelate.

The four-day meeting opened in Cairo on Sunday (15 February) and its aim was to plan a massive propaganda campaign against Israel and outline information policy for the next five years.

The discussions are to deal with proposals to improve Arab information services throughout the world, and refute Israeli claims that the Arabs are responsible for world inflation and the energy crisis.

In his opening address before the secret discussions started, the Arab League's Secretary General, Mr. Mahmoud Riad, deplored inter-Arab disputes in the course of the last year which, he said, diverted the Arts' attention from Israel, their common enemy.