Egypt cancels gas supplies to Israel

               The head of Egypt's natural gas holding company has announced a termiantion of its constract to ship gas to Israel because of violations of contractual obligations. Critics charge that Israel got the gas at below market prices and that Mubarak's cronies skimmed millions of dollars off the proceeds, costing Egypt millions of dollars in lost revenue. Ampal American Israel corporation, a partner in the East Mediterranean Gas Comapny which operates the pipeline said the Egyptian government ha notified it that the deal would be discontinued. Mohamed Shoeb head of the Egyptian company said the deicison was not political. He said it has nothing to do with anything outside of the commercial relations. He alleged that Israel has not paid for gas in four months, a claim that the foreign ministry denies. Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said the unilateral Egyptian announce was of great concern politically and economically.