In Egypt, an important two-day meeting in Arab ministers opened on Wednesday (2 August) as part of the Arab League's continuing efforts to encourage joint approaches to common issues. The meeting of information ministers has been considering how the Arab news media and information service can continue to unity, at a time when the Arab world is split on the question of peace with Israel.

SYNOPSIS: The Arab League Headquarters is a symbol of the efforts being made to secure unified Arab approaches to issues common to them all, the 22 countries and regions represented on the League have made a considerable commitment to Arab unity in many spheres. Sixteen standing committees include an Information Committee which studies information on projects, suggests plans and carries out the policies decided by these ministers at the Council of Information Ministers.

On the first day of the meeting these delegates took the opportunity to discuss the issues which are currently seen to be working against Arab unity, especially the question of Egypt's peace moves. The delegates arriving for the two-day meeting spent much time considering how their differences have affected the prospects for a joint approach to Israel.

The Secretary General of the League, Mahmoud Riad, blamed the news media for damaging a sense of self-confidence in the Arab world. He told the delegates that the Arab news media provokes inter-Arab disputes which have led to a loss of self confidence, and this in turn has encouraged Israel to adopt a hard-line policy. Mr. Riad told the delegates that Israeli proposals for Palestinian self-rule on the West Bank and Gaza were an imperialist plan to consolidate occupation of Arab lands.

There were some empty seats left by delegations from Iraq, Syria, Libya, Algeria, and South Yemen, who did not visit Egypt for the meeting. The Egyptian Information Minister Abdel-Moneim Sawi assured those present that in its dealing with Israel, his government is committed to the known Arab line.