The Middle East: The Price of Penury

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A further matter undoubtedly discussed last week by the visitor from the Kremlin was nonmilitary aid. Nasser needs food, and his nation has largely been fed from U.S. surpluses. However, Washington has been noncommittal on $150 million worth of grain needed this year. Will Moscow supply it? Nasser was plainly uncertain. Escorting Kosygin around Aswan last week, Nasser passed up an ideal opportunity for an anti-U.S. tirade, which could not have pleased his dour Soviet guest. However, Egypt's leader was full of praise for "U.A.R.-Soviet solidarity." Then they went off to see the sights. At the High Dam and the Soviet-sponsored projects, Kosygin was largely the unsmiling inspector general from the home office. He was received well enough—except in one exchange with an unseen underground Egyptian worker at the dam site. Peering into a 100-ft. hole, Kosygin was startled by a hollow cry from within: "Long live Nasser! Long live Gamal!" Then, as an afterthought, "Welcome, Kosygin!"