4—THE BULLETIN—Thursdoy, September 18, 1975
GUEST EDITORIAL
(Continued from Page 2)
Egyptian forces, will be at the mercy of the Israeli army, stationed all the way along its border, in the event of war.
Also, there will be nothing to stop Israeli forces from knocking out the other Egyptian,offshore oil pumps in the Gulf and the rigs on the opposite shore.
During the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War a kind of "balance of terror" kept both sides from interfering with the other's oil.
SADAT IS ASSUMED to be bent on boosting Egypt's economy, and the potential loss of a sizable part of his oil production could serve as a brake on war plans. The idea of sacrificing the benefits of the reopened Suez Canal and the rebuilt Canal-side cites are also likely to dampen any urge towards belligerency in Egypt.
The effect of Israel's withdrawal from the Gidi and Mitla passes is also seen as having been grossly exaggerated by opponents of the agreement.
It is clear that the passes are extremely important to Egypt for the defence of the southern Suez Canal, but some critics overlook the fact that under the new arrangement the Egyptians will not be in the passes, which will be part of the UN buffer 'zone. The Egyptians will be only about five kms. closer to the western entrances of the passes than they are now.
The Israeli General Staff is apparently quite confident that the IDF will have no trouble in coping with any Egyptian moves to seize the strategic defiles. Israeli forces will dominate the northern, eastern and southern sides of the passes from the surrounding heights — the Umm Kasheba ridge in the north, the Gidi range in the east and the Raha range along the south.
Egypt's propaganda needs may have been satisfied by the agreement: it will enable Sadat to tell the Arab world that Israel is out of the passes. But this fact is of almost no practical military value to Egypt, with the line drawn as it is.
If Israel has to go on to the offensive, either as a counterattack or in response to an Egypt-
7iionllr you for having remembered the
JEWISH HOME FOR THE AGED
Iff your will
Leslie's Gorment Hospital
Ladies' & Gents' Toilor
Restyling, Remodelling, AlterationJs. Invisible Mending.
See Our Selection of Shirts, Ponh, Jackeh, Etc. 3625 W. 4th Ave. Phone 738-5775
BEVERAGE SERVICES UNLIMLTED
COMPLETE PARTY RENTAL SERVICE BARTENDER SERVICE GLASSES — CUTLERY 825 Beach Avenue MI-401S R. H. Linde
BLACK TOP CABS
3-MINUTE CITY WIDE TAXI SERVICE
MU 34567
J. B. Newall Monuments
Hebrew Inicrlptlons Our Specialty
Established 1909
Personal attention paid to ALL ORDERS
Frassr and 35th Ave. FA 7-1312
ian move to take over the buffer zone, IDF forces are much closer to the eastern opening of the passes than the Egyptians are on their side. Furthermore, the IDF is not subject to any restrictions at this .point, while the Egyptians are limited to virtually insignificant forces in the whole area east of the Canal.
Any Egyptian violation of this provision could, if deemed necessary, bring Israeli forces into' the passes without a shot being fired.
EGYPT'S ADVANCE into the existing UN buffer zone is also seen as of symbolic and not military value. The line the Egyptians will now hold was drawn arbitrarily and, like most of the area west of the passes, runs through plateau and sand dunes, with no easily defended topographic features before the Canal.
The fact that they will be allowed to keep 70 tanks in their limitation-of-forces zone instead of 30 is regarded as a contribution to Sadat's propaganda needs rather than to Egypt's military effectiveness.
Apart from dominating the passes, Israel controls Wadi Jundi, south of the Mitla, with a broad, new road connecting Israel's central Sinai forces with the Abu Rodeis corridor. This <:ould serve to outflank an Egyptian thrust into the passes.
The Refidim ''bulge" north of the Gidi has a similai'''-value in the north. Israel has"therefore not given up its offensive option but in some ways is even moving into a deployment which will pose many dilemmas for the Egyptian staff.
In. the northern sector there is no appreciable difference in the terrain between the new and old lines, although Israel is giving up a wide stretch of territory and important installations at Baluza and Ta^a, as well as J the famous "Buciapest" stronghold on the Mediterranean coast.
Budapest was the only Bar-Lev line stronghold not to fall ; duriTig the war and it commands a view of the entrance to the Suez Canal. Like many other points along the existing Israeli line, work on improving its fortifications continued until recent
weeks. ■'■■■■■j^'
Those of the IL2 billion fortifications which could serve the Egyptians if they advance into the buffer zone will be demolished. Barbed wire fences and minefields will be dismantled and transferred for use in the new line.
The withdrawal is likely to see a shift from a defence based on a solid line of obstacles to a combination of fortifications and mobile forces which could be deployed to counter enemy thrusts.
THIS SYSTEM will necessitate the construction of a road network, on which the Engineering Corps is already reported to be working.
The Umm Kasheba forward early warning station will be in the UN buffer zone but will be manned by Israelis, ensuring that there will be no loss of intelligence strength. The American presence here and at an Egyptian station to be built in the buffer zone will serve as a stabilizing factor, making it politically harder for the Egyptians to violate the agreement.
The Egyptian station will be built at a spot agreed to by Israel, and both stations will be manned and guarded by the same number of armed troops.
Proponents of the agreement admit that Israel is paying a high political price by giving up some bargaining points and gambling on Egyptian goodwill.
But they claim that the security risk is not high and the compensation in American aid, in the creation of a favourable international climate and in the possibility of a new era in relations with the Arabs, makes the price worth paying.
Family film Festival set at Centre
Following acquisition of a professional film projector, the Jewish Community Centre has scheduled a "Family Film Festival" featuring "ten of yesterday's movies at yesterday's prices."
JCC program supervisor AIqx Kliner stated that it was the desire of the planning committee to lead off this first in a series of various types of film festivals with pictures that could be enjoyed by the whole family.
Festival chairman Clive Kaplan indicated that the series continuation is dependent on the response to the initial offerings.
The Family Film Festival begins Wednesday, Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m. at the Centre, running for 10 Wednesday evenings with the exception of Nov. 5 when the Hadassah Bazaar takes place.
The selection of films is not yet complete but to date the schedule includes such film classics as "The Chocolate Soldier," "Treasure Island" and "Ivanhoe."
Further information is available from the Centre at 266-9111.
Centre Vocal Group auditions Sept, 25
Auditions for the Jewish Community Centre's Vocal Group will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 8 to 10 p.m., at the JCC. All voice ranges, both male and female, are being invited to audition.
Group director June Goldsmith stated that she would like to see a large turnout for the auditions because she is anxious for the present group, which formed only last year, to grow in numbers and in stature.
Mrs., Goldsmith said she has three goals: firstly, to establish and perform a musical repertoire consisting largely of Jewish content; secondly, to use Various instruments which would add to more effective interpretations; and thirdly, and most important, she emphasized, to build an ensemble that will perform with feeling, technical strength and vocal flexibility.
Mrs. Goldsmith stressed that her goals will not be achieved oveniight, and that those who wish should come with a sense of commitment and all that the attitude entails.
"We will approach our singing
Winnipeg Jewish girl named Miss Folklorama
WINNIPEG — A 19-year-oId social work student, Barb Daien, was named Miss Folklorama at the Festival of Nations here, the first Jewish queen in the four-year history of the event. The 1975 Folklorama attracted 1.5 million visitors.
Ms. Daien presided at Shalom Square, one of 30 pavilions in in the week-long festival, which Jewish officials said was one of the best attended of the pavilions, with 2,500 to 3,000 visitors >hightly.
Ms. Daien was named Miss Folklorama in competition with
representatives of 26 other ethnic-cultural groups participating in the event.
As Miss Folklorama, Ms. Daien received a $500 scholarship from the Folk Arts Council and will represent the Folklorama at events sponsored by the Arts Council throughout the year.
Her father is a cantor at the Herzlia synagogue.
Ms. Daien, who speaks fluent Hebrew and Yiddish, served as a hostess at Shalom Square, singing Israeli songs and telling pavilion visitors about each of the pavilion displays.
seriously and work for high standards," she stated, "but at the same time we will have fun and a great deal of gratification if we are successful in our efforts." Mrs. Goldsmith said that she is looking forward to many years with the Centre Vocal Group.
JCC program supervisor Alex Kliner, noting Mrs. Goldsmith's qualifications, stated that he has high hopes for the group. Mrs. Goldsmith has a Masters degree in music from Stanford University, and a Solo Performers piano degree from the Toronto Conservatory of Music. She is experienced in conducting choral groups of all ages.
Further information is available at the Centre, 266-9U1.
sec SUNDAY mOHT DANCINO
The third year of Sunday night folk-dancing begins at the Jewish Community Centre this Sunday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m.
Centre officials stated that this activity is among the most popular of its progratais, being attended regularly by a substantial energetic and devoted group of folk-dance enthusiasts.
Leader Rosalie Dimant, commented that Israeli dances are the focal point of the evening, and that many persons who have consistently attended are now very competant at a variety of these dances.
Miss Dimant added that average attendance is about 70 people per evening, but that the Centre auditorium has a very large dance floor and that there is "lots of room to join the circle."
For those who are unable to join Sunday Night Dancing, a midweek Israeli dance session is now being offered beginning this Wednesday, Sept. 24, 8 to 10 p.m., instructed by Rosalie Dimant.
Further information is available from the Centre at 266-9111.
Small busitiesses.
canhdpyou
srcfWL
We have people and ideas that can help you assess your particular situation, pin-point specific problems and arrive at workable solutions. Vk can help you prepare financial proposals and suggest future planning directions.
Even put you in touch with other forms of private and public assistance.
Like to know more? Call us at 689-8944.
Or write us at:
Department of Economic Development, Box lOlli;
700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y1C6
t
DEPARTMENT OF
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Government ol British Coumoia Horxxiratile Gaiy Lauk. Minister