Inside Report (2)

Bright Star 82 fades in Egypt.

Joint Egyptian-American military exercises, held annually in the fall as part of military coordination and training, will not take place this year.

The cancellation of Bright Star 82 was made at Egyptian request in the aftermath of Israel's invasion of Lebanon last June. It came amid growing feelings of suspicion in Egypt and throughout the Arab world of US complicity in the Israeli moves.

The decision does not mean going back on the promise made by late President Anwar Sadat to allow US rapid deployment forces access to Egyptian naval and airbases, officials say.

The exercises, held for the first time in 1980, involved 4,000 US troops and B-52 bombers last year. It was a show of force and US commitment for then new President Hosni Mubarak, who had taken over after Sadat's asassination Oct. 6.