HAIG FAILS TO ALLAY FEARS

US SECRETARY of State Alexander Haig this month visited Saudi Arabia on a Gulf and Middle East tour, but signally failed to allay fears that the United States was far more interested in deterring the apparent threat from the Soviet Union than solving the Arab-Israeli question. During his stay in Riyadh Haig was silent on the prospects for any revival of the Camp David process (perhaps tactfully) or any proposals concerning the "Palestinian issue" (less tactfully). With good reason, the Saudis are worried that Washington is prepared to allow the impasse in Arab-Israeli negotiations to continue so that greater attention can be devoted to Gulf security.