<table><tr><td>ACTION</td></tr><tr><td>9/15</td></tr><tr><td>CRS-2</td></tr><tr><td>SUPVR</td></tr><tr><td>MASTER</td></tr><tr><td>NO. CIRC'S</td></tr><tr><td>74</td></tr><tr><td>CLASSIFIED</td></tr></table>

Amembassy London

IN TELEGRAM

3208

FOR AICOM USE ONLY

UNCLASSIFIED

DE RUEHC #7806 0570145
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
0 260132Z FEB 74 ZFF4
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 2370
BT
UNCLAS STATE 037806

TOSEC 44

E.O. 11652: N/A

TAGS: OVIP (KISSINGER, HENRY A.)
SUBJECT: REPORTAGE OF TRAVELING PRESS

SUMMARY: PER VEST-S/PRS TELCONS THERE FOLLOWS SUMMARY OF REPORTS AVAILABLE TO US THIS DATE. DAILY SUMMARIES WILL BE CONTINUED DURING COURSE YOUR TRIP. END SUMMARY

A. WIRES

UPI'S OVERNITER EX-LONDON (PRESUMABLY BY LANDRY BUT NO SIGNER ON STORY) SAYS SECRETARY BEGAN FOURTH AND TOUGHEST MIDDLE EAST MISSION WITH SOME OPTIMISM HE CAN BREAK ISRAELI-SYRIAN DEADLOCK ON GOLAN DISENGAGEMENT. QUOTES A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL THAT IT WOULD BE "MIRACLE" (IN QUOTES) IF THERE IS COMPLETE AGREEMENT BUT THAT U.S. REMAINS VERY HOPEFUL THAT SYRIANS WILL RELEASE A LOT OF ISRAELI POW'S (SIC). STORY GOES ON TO SAY U-S. OFFICIAL REPORTS ASSAD EXPECTED TO GIVE SECRETARY LIST OF UP TO 80 POW'S, A MOVE WHICH COULD GET THE TWO SIDES TALKING DISENGAGEMENT, WHICH HE THEN WILL TAKE ON TO MRS. MEIR. ACCORDING TO U.S. OFFICIAL, U.S. HOPES THIS COULD ELICIT ISRAELI DRAFT PLAN ON WITHDRAWAL AND A START TO DISENGAGEMENT TALKS. STORY CONCLUDES, ALL IN

PARAPHRASE OF U.S. OFFICIAL, THAT THESE POSSIBILITIES EXIST: (A) SYRIAN OFFICERS COULD JOIN MILITARY COMMISSION IN GENEVA, (B) SYRIANS AND ISRAELIS COULD SET UP OWN KM 101 TALKS, AND (C) THE TWO SIDES COULD MEET AT NEUTRAL SITE, SUCH AS RHODES OR CYPRUS. BALANCE OF STORY UNREMARKABLE EXCEPT FOR QUOTE (IN QUOTES) OF AMERICAN OFFICIAL DISCOUNTING ANY U.S. EFFORT TO "UPSTAGE" GROMYKO IN PRESENT MIDDLE EAST DIPLOMACY.

FROM: State
NO: 37806
RECD: FEB 26 1974
02102

1110

IMMEDIATE

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

FEB. 24

FROM: STATE 37806
(POST) (MRN)

AP SCHWEID'S BYLINER EX-LONDON HAS SECRETARY EN ROUTE TO MIDDLE EAST CONFIDENT ASSAD WOULD HAND OVER LIST OF ISRAELI POW'S SO DISENGAGEMENT TALKS CAN BEGIN. STORY MATCHES UPI'S CITED, WITH EXCEPTION THAT IT QUOTES A SENIOR U.S. OFFICIAL THAT ASSAD APPEARED TO BE "IN A FRAME OF MIND" (IN QUOTES) TO NEGOTIATE AT LAST.

B. NETS.

ABC. REASONER NOTED SECRETARY'S OBJECTIVE ON TRIP TO GET PEACE TALKS MOVING AND OIL EMBARGO LIFTED, THEN CUT TO KOPPEL ON ANDREWS TARMAC PRIOR TO TAKEOFF WHO REPORTED ROUGHLY AS FOLLOWS: HAK SAID RE VIETNAM " PEACE IS AT HAND" AND THEN SPENT FRANTIC MONTHS MAKING EVENTS CATCH UP TO HIS OPTIMISM. THERE WERE NO GRANDOISE FORECASTS ON THE PUBLIC RECORD THIS TIME. ACCORDING TO SENIOR U.S. OFFICIALS, HAK EXPECTS LIST OF POW'S. FRAMEWORK FOR DISENGAGEMENT TALKS AND LIFTING OF ARAB OIL EMBARGO BY FIRST WEEK OF MARCH. HAK WANTS TO HAVE SADAT APPEAR TO BE IN FRONT OF TREND TOWARD CONCILIATION, NOT A LONE COMPROMISER. END ABC SUMMARY. APPEARED 15 MINUTES INTO REASONER'S EVENING SHOW, LASTED TWO MINUTES.

ALSO ON ABC, HOWARD K. SMITH FOLLOWED THIS COMMENTARY:

AS HAK GOES BACK TO MIDDLE EAST, THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT ARAB HATRED TOWARD U.S. IS BEGINNING TO DECLINE. BUT AT LAHORE (ARAB SUMMIT), OLD ARAB GRUDGE AGAINST U.S. HAS AGAIN SURFACED -- (A) THAT U.S. CREATED ISRAEL, AND (B) THAT U.S. IS INSENSITIVE TO PLIGHT OF REFUGEES RESULTING FROM ISRAEL'S CREATION. TO SET HISTORY STRAIGHT, U.S. DID NOT CREATE ISRAEL; IT CREATED ITSELF. ISRAEL WON NATIONHOOD WITH FRENCH AND CZECH ARMS. U.S. A LATECOMER TO ARMS-SUPPLY RELATIONSHIP, AND THEN CAME IN ONLY TO INSURE MIDDLE EAST BALANCE OF POWER. AS

TO INDIFFERENCE TO REFUGEES, U.S. TAXPAYERS FEED THEM WITH LITTLE HELP FROM ANYONE ELSE, INCLUDING USSR. U.S. POLICY MAY HAVE BEEN ILL-EXECUTED, BUT SOLELY ALTRUISTIC AIM OF U.S. THROUGHOUT HAS BEEN TO KEEP THE PEACE.

CBS. CRONKITE REPORTED HAK HEADING FOR DAMASCUS ON HIS TOUGHEST MIDDLE EAST NEGOTIATING STINT YET, THEN CUT TO FENTON IN TEL AVIV WHO PRODUCED THIS: HENRY A. KISSINGER COULDN'T BE COMING TO THE MIDDLE EAST AT A WORSE TIME. COMMENTARY GOES ON TO ANALYSE WEAKENED STATE OF MEIR GOVERNMENT AND INSECURITY OF ASSAD REGIME IN DAMASCUS. IT WILL TAKE ALL OF HAK'S VAUNTED SKILL, FENTON CONCLUDED, TO BRING THE TWO SIDES TOGETHER. REPORT APPEARED 10 MINUTES INTO PROGRAM; LASTED 2 MINUTES.

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

JUN 30 1978 10:00

NBC. CHANCELLOR GAVE ONLY 10 SECONDS, 20 MINUTES INTO PROGRAM, TO NOTE HENRY A. KISSINGER'S DEPARTURE IN WHICH HE REFUSED TO ASSESS PUBLICLY HIS PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS IN GETTING ISRAELI-SYRIAN AGREEMENT ON DISENGAGEMENT IN GOLAN.

CASEY

UNCLASSIFIED

USINT
DAMASCUS - SYRIA

R 011415Z MAR 74
FM: AMEMBASSY, CAIRO
TO: RUENRG/SEGSTATE, WASHDC 5531
INFO: RUEFURS/USINT, ALGERS 744
RUESKG/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 2953
RUESBE/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 3719
RUEHDM/USINT DAMASCUS 020
RUFHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 199
RUESRA/AMEMBASSY JIDDA 1742
RUESKW/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 781
RUESBT/AMEMBASSY RABAT 667
RUESNS/AMEMBASSY SANAA 083
RUESAD/AMEMBASSY TELAVIV 3709
RUESKR/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 892
RUEHDT/USUN NEW YORK 3428
RUOSKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 1162
BT
CONFIDENTIAL CAIRO 998

E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: PFOR EG US
SUBJ: SECRETARY'S VISIT TO EGYPT FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 1:
RESUMPTION OF US/EGYPTIAN RELATIONS

BEIRUT FOR BAGHDAD

GENEVA FOR MEPC DEL

1. SUMMARY. IN THE SECRETARY'S WORDS, THE US AND EGYPT HAVE ENTERED AN ERA OF LASTING FRIENDSHIP. CAIRO PRESS EXPRESSES MOOD OF OPTIMISM THAT RELATIONSHIP WILL CONTINUE AND DEEPEN AND THAT ME SETTLEMENT PROCESS IS WORKING. THIS IS REFLECTED BY ATTITUDE OF MANY EGYPTIANS, WHO ALSO EVIDENCE GREAT EXPECTATION THAT RESUMPTION OF TIES WILL MEAN RESUMPTION OF MASSIVE US ASSISTANCE TO EGYPT.
END SUMMARY.

2. SECRETARY'S FOURTH ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS IN EGYPT HAS ENDED. GENERAL MOOD BEFORE HIS ARRIVAL, AS INDICATED BY PRESS AND EGYPTIANS WITH WHOM WE HAVE SPOKEN, WAS ONE OF OPTIMISM WITHOUT ANXIETY-AFTER ALL, MANY SAID, FAHMY HAS RETURNED FROM WASHINGTON WITH ASSURANCES THAT KISSINGER WOULD CONTINUE EFFORTS TO RESOLVE ME ISSUE, AND IN ITSELF THAT MEANT SUCCESS. ALL HAD READ FROM THEIR OWN PRESS THAT FAHMY DISCUSSIONS IN WASHINGTON HAD BEEN WARM, AND THAT WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS PRESIDENT NIXON WOULD PROBABLY VISIT EGYPT, THEREBY CULMINATING WHAT HAS BEEN, SINCE OCTOBER, AN UNPARELLELED SERIES OF EGYPTIAN FOREIGN POLICY SUCCESSES.

3. TODAY, MARCH 1, THESE REPORTS AND EXPECTATIONS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED. SECRETARY ARRIVED IN CLEAR AND CRISP WEATHER, AND PROCEEDED INTO CAIRO ALONG ROUTE BESIDE WHICH NUMEROUS RESIDENTS AND PASSERSBY SPAO NENEOUSLY APPLAUDED HIS PASSAGE. FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH SADAT AT THE PYRAMIDS, AND LUNCH, HE WAS TAKEN TO SAQQARA, THEN TO A SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW OF EGYPT'S PAST AND, IN THE EVENING, A DINNER AT THE

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

SHEARTON SUPPER CLUB. AS MANY EXPECTED, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE LATE AFTERNOON THAT THE US AND EGYPT HAD RESUMED FORMAL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS; AND THE FOLLOWING MORNING, BOTH THE SECRETARY AND FAHMY ATTENDED A BRIEF FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY AT THE EMBASSY. ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A RELAXED AFFAIR, PARTICULARLY IN COMPARISON WITH EARLIER VISITS WHEN EACH SIDE SEEMED DRIVEN, UNDER GREAT PRESSURE AND SOMETIMES ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES, TO ACHIEVE IMMEDIATE GOALS OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE.

4. EGYPTIANS TODAY GENERALLY REGARD THE REESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AS AN EVENT OF CONSIDERABLE MOMENT. FOR YEARS, MANY HAVE BELIEVED THAT THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE US IS A WEATHERVANE OF THEIR OWN NATIONAL FORTUNES. IN THEIR DARKEST HOURS, IT SEEMED THAT THE UNITED STATES WAS SOLIDLY IN THE CORNER OF THEIR ENEMIES; AND AS, WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME, THE US SHOWED LITTLE INCLINATION TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT WITH ISRAEL, SO THEIR OWN INABILITY TO RESOLVE IT FOR THEMSELVES BECAME MORE APPRAENT, ALONG WITH THEIR SENSE OF DISENCHANMENT AND FRUSTRATION. TIES HAVE NOW BEEN RESUMED. ONE HEARS OFTEN THAT THEY HAVE BEEN RESUMED BECAUSE THE UNTIED STATES HAS FINALLY CHANGED ITS ATTITUDE; AS ALI AMIN PUTS IN AHRAM'S FIRST PAGE, THE CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE BETWEEN EGYPT AND AMERICA IS ENDED. THE NEW RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN JUSTIFIED BY THE US'S NEW AWAKENING.

5. A CRITICAL EYE MIGHT SAY THAT AMIN'S ARTICLE, AND THOSE OF OTHERS, TEND TO JUSTIFY TOO MUCH, AND THAT BEHING THIS LIES AN UNEASE ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP AND HOW FAR IT MIGHT PROCEED. AT THE MAOMEN, HOWEVER, THIS VIEW WOULD MISS THE POINT: ODAY, EGYPTIANS SEEM TO FEEL THAT THE US HAS INDEED RECONSIDERED ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH EGYPT, AND FOUND EGYPT DESERVING; THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE TOLD THIS BY THEIR INFORMATION MACHINERY. TO THESE EGYPTIANS IT FOLLOWS ALMOST AUTOMATICALLY THAT US ASSISTANCE IS TO BE EXPECTED, AND WILL FOLLOW SHORTLY. EVEN NOW, THEY SAY, IT CAN BE SEEN IN THE VISITS TO CAIRO OF US BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DELEGATIONS(TO WHICH THE CAIRO PRESS HAS GIVEN MUCH ATTENTION), TO THE RECENT ARRIVAL OF CHASE PRESIDENT DAVID ROCKEFELLER AND TO THE PRESENT VISIT OF WORLD BANK PRESIDENT ROBERT MACNAMARA WHICH, COMING CONCURRENTLY WITH THE SECRETARY'S POLITICAL MISSION, IS INTERPRETED HERE AS CONFIRMING THEIR ASSUMPTION. EILTS

BT

0998

CONFIDENTIAL

SECRET
Classification
Department of State

TELEGRAM

0172

INDICATE:

☐ COLLECT

☐ CHARGE TO

012359Z MAR 74

E.O. 11652: XGDS

TAGS: PFOR, OVIP (KISSINGER, Henry A.)
SUBJECT: Meeting with President Assad

DISTRIBUTION

ACTION: ΧΧΕΙΡΑΣΚΑΝΣΑΚΕΣΑΝΧΧΧΧΧΧΗΜΕΡΙΣΤΗΣ
AmEmbassy CAIRO IMMEDIATE
INFO: SecState, WASH, DC IMMEDIATE
NODIS/CHEROKEE
SECTO: 0101

FOR EILTS FROM SECRETARY

for President Sadat's and his information
1. Please tell Fahmy/that I have just completed
four hour meeting with President Assad and have
obtained his agreement to ongoing procedural steps,
earlier agreed to by Mrs. Meir, which keep negotiating
door open. Specifically, Israelis will send senior
official to Washington for further discussions with
me, in light of Syrian reaction to their ideas, in
about two weeks time. Thereafter, Assad is prepared
to send senior representatives for follow-on talks
with me in Washington. I will then return to area
enroute either to or from Moscow to carry process
further steps along the way.

DRAFTED BY:

NEA:ALAtherton:

CLEARANCES:

DRAFTING DATE: 3/2/74
TEL. EXT.
APPROVED BY: The Secretary

P O Mr. Sisco
S/6

SECRET

Classification

FORM
4-68

FS-413

SECRET

Page 2 of 2

0172

Classification

M&R

2XXXX

2. Assad also agreed that both of us would adhere to following line with press:

A. Secretary brought Israeli ideas to Damascus for discussion with President Assad. Syria did not accept Israeli ideas and provided some ideas of its own. The discussions will continue in Washington.

B. Israel has agreed to send a senior representative to Washington in the next two weeks or so for further discussions there. Thereafter, Syria is prepared to send senior representatives to Washington if necessary to continue discussions with the Secretary.

C. We are hopeful about the evolution of the process we are engaged in and will make every effort to bring the discussions to a successful conclusion.

3. Tell Fahmy I will send him fuller account as soon as possible.

KISSINGER

SECRET

FORM FS-413A

4-68

Classification

CONTINUATION SHEET

UNCLASSIFIED

CAIRO 985

EXCERPTS OF REMARKS BY EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER FAHMY:
SINCE OCTOBER SIXTH AND SINCE SECRETARY KISSINGER VISITED US I KNEW FOR FACT OUR RELATIONS ARE GOING TO BE PROGRESSED ON THE RIGHT PATH... I CAN TELL YOU FRANKLY THEY (IPLomatic RELATIONS) WERE RESUMED SINCE HIS FIRST VISIT. BUT WHAT WE ARE WITNESSING TODAY IS A MERE FORMALITY AND A HAPPY FORMALITY FOR BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND EGYPT. AS SECRETARY KISSINGER HAS RIGHTLY SAID, AND I CONCUR WITH HIM ENTIRELY, OUR RELATIONS ARE NOT A TACTICAL OK

HEUXOUR RELATIONS ARE GOING TO PROGRESS ON SOLID BASIS AND WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEACE. A JUST PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE AREA AND AROUND THE AREA AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE THAT OUR RELATIONS IN EVERY FIELD DEVELOP IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE AND SO FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED WE ARE COMMITTED TO DO OUR BEST TO SEE THAT THIS IS DONE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE FROM STAGE TO STAGE AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD FOR ALL THE BEST OF OCCASIONS TO EXCHANGE VISITS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND OUR COUNTRY. END REMARKS BY F.M.

SECSTATE THANKED SPANISH AMBASSADOR FOR MAINTAINING INTERESTS SECTION DURING TIME US EGYPTIAN RELATIONS WERE SEVERED... A PERIOD THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN." WE HAVE SECSTATE REMARKS ON TAPE AND WILL ATTEMPT TO FEED TO OPS AT TEN HOURS GMT.
REGARDS.

EILTS

BT
#0985

UNCLASSIFIED

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Department of State

TELEGRAM

PAGE TWO 41112

UNCLASSIFIED

Classification

FROM GOLAN, A MAJOR SHIFT IN SYRIA'S POSITION. STORY DVELLS ON EMOTIONAL STATE OF MEIR, ELAZAR AND FORMER'S PUBLIC KUDOS TO SECRETARY ON LIST ACHIEVEMENT. TOUCHES MORE SOFTLY ON UNEXPLAINED ADMISSION HAK HAD LIST BEFORE GOING TO DAMASCUS. ACCORDING US OFFICIALS, AGREEMENT ON SITE FOR ISRAELI-SYRIAN TALKS DURING HAK'S CURRENT VISIT "NOT IN CARDS" (IN DIRECT QUOTES). GOES ON TO WEIGH IMPACT OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON PROSPECTS FOR EASING OIL EMBARGO AND QUOTES US OFFICIALS TO EFFECT SOVS HAD USED INFLUENCE WITH SYRIANS TO SHAKE LOOSE POW LIST.

3. WASHSTAR'S O'LEARY HAS 500 WORDS INSIDE (PS) TOPPED BY FOUR COLUMN AP PHOTO OF HAK WITH MEIR AND ALLON. STORY STRAIGHTFORWARD ACCOUNT OF RELEASE OF LIST AND RELATED DEVELOPMENTS, FIRM AND SPECULATIVE. PLAYS PROMINENTLY HAK'S COMMENT ON REACTION ON PRODUCING LIST: "SHE (MEIR) IS NOT NORMALLY VERY EMOTIONAL, BUT THERE WERE TEARS IN HER EYES. SHE CALLED IN COS GEN DAVID ELAZAR, AND HE STARTED CRYING TOO." STORY CONCLUDES WITH HAK'S ON-GOING TRAVEL PLANS.

4. BALTSUN DROPPED STORY BELOW P1 FOLD IN THREE COLUMNS. SIGNED BY ONE G. JEFFERSON PRICE, 3D. PRESUME THIS KEAT'S LATEST NON-PLUME. ANYWAY, 700 WORD PIECE APPEARS TO BE STRAIGHT ACCOUNT APPARENT BRIEFING LINE SET OUT BY US OFFICIALS. NO DIRECT QUOTES APPEAR, EXCEPT FOR HAK'S ACCOUNT OF MEIR'S REACTION.

5. NYD'S CARTER HAS STYLISH THREE-COLUMN BANNER HEAD "HENRY TELLS ISRAELIS SYRIA HOLDS 65 POWS" ON P2. 500-WORD PIECE CLEARS AWAY ESSENTIAL FACTS IN LEAD GRAFS, THEN PROCLAIMS LATEST DEVELOPMENT ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR KISSINGER, THE ARCHITECT OF THE AGREEMENT SIGNED ON JANUARY 18 FOR DIFENGAGEMENT OF ISRAELI AND EGYPTIAN FORCES ON THE SUEZ FRONT. AFTER NOTING EMOTIONAL SCENE ON LIST TURNOVER, STORY REPORTS SOME ISRAELIS BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED LIST NOT LONGER BUT ADDS THAT HAK'S IMPRESSION WAS THAT MEIR AND OTHER GOI OFFICIALS WERE PLEASED THAT IT WAS AS LONG AS IT WAS. HAS AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAYING THAT AS RECENTLY AS LAST MONTH ISRAELIS FEARED NUMBER OF POW'S ALIVE IN SYRIA MIGHT BE AS FEW AS "THAT WAS THEIR NIGHTMARE," OFFICIAL SAID IN DIRECT STORY CONCLUDES WITH EXPECTED NEXT MOVES IN ATIC SCENARIO AND HAK'S ON-GOING TRAVEL PLANS.

UNCLASSIFIED

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PAGE 2 STATE 43667

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Classification

REPORTS THAT POW'S WERE TRUMP CARDS IN WEAK SYRIAN HAND AND DAMASCUS HARDLINERS WANTED TO USE THEM AS NVN HAD AGAINST US.

3. NBC (VALERIANI): REPORTS HAK ALREADY HAD BASIC POW LIST WHEN HE ARRIVED DAMASCUS. LIST SENT TO HAK WEEK BEFORE IN CONNECTION WITH ARAB REQUEST TO UNDERTAKE ME MISSION. REPORTS IT WAS GOOD OMEN CAMERAS PERMITTED TO FILM HAK ARRIVAL AT AIRPORT AND FURTHER POSITIVE SIGN THAT ASAD RECEIVED HAK SOON AFTERWARD. REPORTS HAK FLEW ON TO ISRAEL BRINGING WITH HIM, IN ADDITION TO POW LIST, UNDERSTANDING POW'S WOULD BE RELEASED AS PART OF ANY DISENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT. REPORTS ISRAELIS NOW EXPECTED TO FORMULATE PROPOSALS ON SEPARATING FORCES FROM SYRIAN FORCES IN GOLAN AND HAK HOPES THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE READY BY FRIDAY TO TAKE BACK WITH HIM TO DAMASCUS.

MORNING RADIO:

CBS (HOTTELET): REPORTS HAK TRIP TO CAIRO ALMOST PLEASURE TRIP TO OLD FRIEND AND EVERY EXPECTATION FULL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WILL BE RESUMED WITH US FLAG RAISED ABOVE AMEMBASSY TODAY. REPORTS SADAT WORKED HARD TO CREATE CLIMATE WHICH MADE ISRAEL/SYRIA BREAKTHROUGH POSSIBLE. IN RETURN, EGYPT GAINING ACCESS TO US ECONOMIC POWER AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE AS WELCOME COUNTER-POISE TO ITS TIES WITH USSR. CASEY

UNCLASSIFIED

Classification

FORM PS-412(N)
4-68

ZCZC LUA237 031853 FLB042 NXI
UU LPI

KISS 3-3
2ND NIGHT LD KISS FLB037

BY WILBUR G. LANDREY

BONN (UPI) -- U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY A. KISSINGER ENDED HIS FOURTH MIDDLE EAST MISSION SUNDAY SATISFIED HE HAD SUFFOVED IN GETTING SYRIA AND ISRAEL STARTED TALKING ABOUT MILITARY DISENGAGEMENT IN THE GOLAN HEIGHTS EVEN THOUGH THE OUTCOME IS IN DOUBT.

FOR KISSINGER, IT WAS THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS A MIDDLE EAST SETTLEMENT. PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY, HE REFUSED TO SPECULATE WHETHER THE PROGRESS DURING HIS FIVE DAYS OF TALKS IN FIVE MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES WAS ENOUGH TO INDUCE ARAB STATES TO LIFT THEIR OIL EMBARGO AGAINST THE U.S.

ALTHOUGH THE IMPRESSION IN THE AREA IS THAT IT WILL COME SOON, A HIGH AMERICAN OFFICIAL WITH THE KISSINGER PARTY SAID IT WAS OBVIOUS THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAD TALKED ABOUT IT WITH AREA LEADERS, INCLUDING KING FEISAL OF SAUDI ARABIA, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING AGREEMENT AMONG ALL THE ARAB STATES. THE OIL MINISTERS WILL MEET SOMETIMES THIS MONTH.

MORE HU1952NNNN

ZCZC LUA257 031939 FLB053 NXI
UU LPI

KISS 3-3
INSERT IN 2ND NIGHT LD KISS BONN FLB042, AFTER LAST PGH XXX THIS MONTH

EGYPT FORMALLY ASKED TODAY THAT THE OIL MINISTERS MEET IN TRIPOLI ON MARCH 10. KISSINGER CONFERRED SATURDAY IN SAUDI ARABIA WITH ASHRAF MARWAN, AN EGYPTIAN OFFICIAL WHO HAS BEEN TOURING THE PERSIAN GULF STATES SEEKING SUPPORT FOR THE MEETING. EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT ANWAR SADAT IS BELIEVED TO FAVOR LIFTING THE EMBARGO.

PICKUP 1ST ADD 2ND NIGHT LD KISS BONN FLB043 1ST PGH: THE OFFICIAL SAID.

WGL/HU2039NNNN

ZCZC LUA239 031858 FLB043 NXI
HU LPI

KISS 3-3

1ST ADD 2ND NIGHT LO KISS BONN FLB042 XXX MONTH.

THE OFFICIAL SAID THAT THE UNITED STATES
BELIEVES MIDDLE EAST PEACE IS A GOAL IN ITSELF AND DOES NOT WANT
TO GIVE THE ARABS THE IDEA THAT THE OIL WEAPON HAS WORKED.
FURTHERMORE, IT HAS BEEN EMBARRASED BEFORE WITH PREMATURE
PREDICTIONS IT WOULD BE LIFTED.

KISSINGER ARRIVED HERE AT 8:40 P.M. (1740 GMT) AFTER A FIVE
HOUR FLIGHT FROM AMMAN, JORDAN, THE LAST OF HIS MIDDLE EAST
STOP. HE TALKED WITH KING HUSSEIN THIS MORNING AND ANNOUNCED THE
KING WOULD VISIT THE UNITED STATES ON MARCH 12.

BEFORE HE LEFT HE AND THE KING WATCHED A COLORFUL MARCHING
BAND CONCERT--THE MILITARY RETREAT BY THE MASSED PIPE AND BRASS
BANDS OF THE JORDANIAN ARAB ARMY IN WESTERN UNIFORMS AND CHECKERED
ARAB HEADDRESS.

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME HE HAD BEEN IN GERMANY SINCE HE
HAS BEEN SECRETARY OF STATE. HE LEFT AS A JEWISH REFUGEE
FROM NAZISM AS A BOY OF 15. IN HIS TALKS HERE SUNDAY NIGHT WITH
FOREIGN MINISTER WALTER SCHEEL AND MONDAY WITH CHANCELLOR
WILLY BRANDT, HE WILL TURN MAINLY TO THE QUESTIONS CONCERNING

EUROPE AND ITS RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES.

MORE HU1958NNNN

ZCZC LUA243 031906 FLB044 NXI
UU LPI

KISS 3-3

2ND ADD 2ND NIGHT LD KISS BONN FLB043 XXX STATES.

KISSINGER GOT THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS STARTED BETWEEN ISRAEL AND SYRIA BY PERSUADING THEM BOTH TO SEND HIGH OFFICIALS TO WASHINGTON LATE THIS MONTH TO PRESENT CONCRETE PROPOSALS FOR SEPARATING THEIR FORCES, FIRST THE ISRAELI, THEN SEPARATELY THE SYRIAN.

THE HIGH AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAID THEY WERE STILL FAR APART AND THE CHANCES OF SUCCESS CAN BE PREDICTED ONLY AFTER BOTH PRESENT FURTHER PLANS. KISSINGER CHANGED HIS MIND IN MID-MISSION ABOUT GETTING THEM FACE TO FACE IN SOME FORUM IN ORDER TO AVOID PREMATURE CONFRONTATIONS.

THE HIGH OFFICIAL SAID THE TALKS WILL BE MUCH TOUGHER THAN THOSE WHICH LED TO ISRAELI-EGYPTIAN AGREEMENT ALONG THE SUEZ CANAL.

SOVIET FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI GROMYKO HAS BEEN FOLLOWING KISSINGER IN AND OUT OF EGYPT AND SYRIA. THE HIGH OFFICIAL SAID THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE RUSSIANS ARE TRYING TO OBSTRUCT THE AGREEMENTS THAT KISSINGER IS TRYING TO ARRANGE NOR ANY THEY ARE TRYING TO HELP HIM EITHER.

KISSINGER WILL REPORT TO THE GERMANS ON HIS MISSION BUT THEN PASS ON TO THE PROBLEMS OF EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. AMONG THEM ARE THE PROPOSED NATO DECLARATION ON COMMON GOALS, UNITED STATES-EUROPE RELATIONS, THE STRATEGIC ARMS LIMITATION TALKS, THE EUROPEAN SECURITY CONFERENCE AND THE MUTUAL BALANCED FORCES NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE RUSSIANS.

ALSO, UNDOUBTELY, OIL.

MORE HU2003NNNN

ZCZC LUA243 031911 FLB045 NXI
UU LPI

KISS 3-3

3RD ADD 2ND NIGHT LD KISS BONN FLB044 XXX OIL.

THE HIGH AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAID THE UNITED STATES STRONGLY SUPPORTED EUROPEAN UNITY BUT NOT A UNITY BASED ON OPPOSITION TO THE UNITED STATES AS ADVOCATED BY FRANCE. HE INTERPRETED FRANCE'S ATTEMPT TO TORPEDO THE WASHINGTON ENERGY CONFERENCE FAIL IN THIS LIGHT.

KISSINGER FLEW BY HELICOPTER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT GUES BUNGALOW IN THE CHANCELLORY GARDENS.

PICKUP 10TH PGH: KISSINGER'S MISSION, ETC.

WGL/HU2005NNNN

TELEGRAM

INCOMING

UNCLASSIFIED

AMEMBASSY BONN

MAR 3 4 53 PM '74

IMMEDIATE

000476

VV FHU436EHV794
CO RUFHOL
DE RUEHC #2375 0621542
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
0 031535Z MAR 74 ZFF4
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY BONN IMMEDIATE 2687
BT
UNCLAS STATE 042375

TOSEC 332

E.O. 11652 N/A

SUBJ: REPORTAGE OF TRAVELING PRESS SUNDAY, MARCH 3

FOR VEST FROM KING

FOLLOWING IS SUMMARY OF REPORTED TRAVELING PRESS, SUNDAY, MARCH 3.

1. TIMES (GWERTZMAN) LEADS PAGE ONE WITH COLUMN HEAD "ISRAEL AND SYRIA WILL SEND TEAMS TO PARLEYS IN US." STORY BEGINS WITH AGREEMENT TO SEND DELEGATION TO WASHINGTON LATER THIS MONTH TO CONTINUE INDEPENDENT DISCUSSIONS WITH HAK. NEWSMEN WERE TOLD THAT A "HUGE GAP" STILL EXISTED AND IT WAS NOT CERTAIN THAT THE WASHINGTON DIALOGUE WOULD LEAD TO AN AGREEMENT COMPARABLE TO THE ISRAELI-EGYPTIAN ACCORD. ACCORDING TO US OFFICIALS THE TALKS WERE A RESULT OF A SUGGESTION MADE BY HAK TO PRESIDENT ASSAD DURING THEIR TALKS IN DAMASCUS WEDNESDAY. A SENIOR ISRAELI OFFICIAL POSSIBLY FOREIGN MINISTER ABBA EBAN, DEFENSE MINISTER MOSHE DAYAN, OR HIS SUCCESSOR - WOULD COME TO WASHINGTON, BUT NO FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS WERE CONTEMPLATED. THE STORY STATES THAT HAK HAD THE PRISONER LIST PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE AND HAD FIRST AGREED TO PICK UP THE LIST IN DAMASCUS WHICH HAD VIRTUALLY BEEN PROMISED TO HIM BY THE SYRIANS, BUT MRS. MEIR HAD URGED HIM NOT TO COME TO MIDDLE EAST WITHOUT IT. AS A RESULT-

AND ALSO BECAUSE HE WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE ASSURANCES HE HAD RECEIVED, HAK ASKED THE SYRIANS TO PROVIDE HIM WITH THE LIST BEFORE HE LEFT. HAK HAD KEPT THE LIST IN HIS SAFE AND THE ONLY OTHER AMERICANS WHO WERE REPORTED TO HAVE KNOWN WERE SISCO AND ONE OF HAK'S PERSONAL ASSISTANTS.

2. WASHINGTON POST (BERGER) LEADS PAPER WITH DOUBLE COLUMN HEAD "SYRIA, ISRAEL SET TALKS IN WASHINGTON." STORY HIGH UP STATES FIRST TIME EVER TWO SIDES HAVE AGREED TO HOLD FORMAL TALKS EVEN INDIRECTLY, NOTING HAK WILL BE INTERMEDIARY. IF TALKS IN NEXT TWO WEEKS BRINGS SIDES CLOSER TOGETHER, ACCORDING U.S. OFFICIALS,

UNCLASSIFIED

<table><tr><td>15</td><td>09</td></tr><tr><td>ACNION</td><td>S S 15</td></tr><tr><td>AMB</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DCM</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>POL</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>POLMIL</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ECON</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CON</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ADM</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>PER</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B&amp;F</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>SY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CRO</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>COM</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BAX</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>GSO</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>TR</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>RCO</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>USIS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>OCA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>LEGAT</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DAO</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MAAG</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MLO</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>RLDB</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>RAFLO</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MBT</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>AFPLD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>EUPLD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>POLAD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CRU</td><td>1</td></tr></table>

TELEGRAM - Incoming

PAGE 2 CONTROL 4/76

Amembassy BONN

UNCLASSIFIED

HAK PROBABLY WILL RESUME DAMASCUS-JERUSALEM SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY. TALKS IN EARLY STAGES, U. S. OFFICIALS EMPHASIZE, AND CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO MOVE QUICKLY BECAUSE OF "HUGH GAP" (DIRECT QUOTE) BETWEEN THEM. NEITHER SIDE HAS MADE ANY CONCESSIONS YET, OFFICIALS SAID, BUT AGREEMENT TO TALK IN WASHINGTON INDICATES THEY EVENTUALLY WILL, BUT THIS DEPENDS ON WHETHER BOTH SIDES CONSIDER SETTLEMENT TOP PRIORITY MATTER. OFFICIAL ADDED NEITHER SEEMS TO CONSIDER IT URGENT NOW. NOTES LINKAGE GOLAN SETTLEMENT AND LIFTING OF OIL EMBARGO, DESPITE OFFICIALS ASCERTION THAT ANY" SCHEDULE UNAFFECTED BY TODAYS SETTLEMENT. " HAS U.S. OFFICIALS "PROFESSED TO BE PERPLEXED" ABOUT GROMYKO'S OBJECTIVES IN TRAVEL SCHEDULES WHICH TRACK THAT OF HAK.

3. WASHINGTON STAR HAS O'LEARY ON PAGE 4 REPORTING THAT HAK BELIEVES ISRAEL, SYRIA STILL FAR APART ON DETAILS OF GOLAN SEPARATION OF FORCES. "GAP IS HUGE." JERRY O. ALSO FINDS NO SIGNS EMERGING THAT OIL EMBARGO TO BE LIFTED SOON. IN LONGEST STORY TO DATE JERRYO. HAS ONE THOUSAND WORD STORY DETAILING COMING WASHINGTON TALKS AS MODEL OF SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY WHICH BROUGHT SINAI SETTLEMENT. DESPITE MODEST GAINS WITH SYRIANS ON ISRAELI IDEAS, HAK'S EFFORTS TO SELL WASHINGTON MEDIATION PLANS A SUCCESS BECAUSE BOTH SIDES STILL NEGOTIATING EVEN THOUGH THEIR GOALS STILL FAR APART. SPECIALTES WASHINGTON NEGOTIATIONS MAY FORCE CHANGE IN HAK'S TRAVEL PLANS AND INJECT ANOTHER NE TRIP INTO HIS IMMEDIATE SCHEDULE. MUCH BALANCE STORY DEVOTED TO "PROBABLE" FACT THAT HAK HAD POW LIST AND GOI IDEAS ON DISENGAGEMENT IN BRIEF CASE LONG BEFORE HE LEFT. WASHINGTON ON CURRENT MISSION. ARRANGEMENT WITH BOTH SIDES WAS DETAILED AND KEPT SECRET UNTIL APPROPRIATE MOMENT".

4. AGAIN MAILS FAILED US AND WE HAVE NO OTHER STORY TO SUMMARIZE. DONALDSON BT
#2375

UNCLASSIFIED

ZCZC LUA107 031429 DLC082 NXI
00 LPI

KISS 3-3
NIGHT LD KISS

BY WILBUR G. LANDREY

AMMAN (UPI) -- U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY A. KISSINGER LEFT THE MIDDLE EAST TODAY AFTER A WEEK OF HECTIC DIPLAMCAY THAT KEPT ALIVE THE MILITARY DISENGAGEMENT TALKS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND SYRIA AND GAVE NEW HOPE THE ARAB OIL EMBARGO AGAINST THE UNITED STATES SOON WOULD BE LIFTED.

EDING HIS FOURTH HIGHT-PRESSURE TOUR OF KEY MIDDLE EAST CAPITALS SINCE NOVEMBER, KISSINGER CONFERRED WITH KING HUSSEIN OF JORDAN, THEN ATTENDED A MILITARY CEREMONY BY THE KING'S BEDOUIN TROOPS BEFORE DRINGING TO THE AIRPORT, WHERE HE WAS SEEN OFF BY PREMIER ZEID RIFAI.

KISSINGER'S PRESIDENTIAL JET LEFT AMMAN AT 2:40 P.M. (1240GMT) FOR BONN, WHERE HE WAS DUE AROUND 1725 GMT FOR EXPECTED TALKS WITH WEST GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER WALTER SCHEEL TODAY AND CHANCELLOR WILLY BRANDT MONDAY.

THE SECRETARY WAS TO REPORT TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) COUNCIL OF MINISTERS IN BRUSSELS MONDAY BEFORE RETURNING TO WASHINGTON.

IN AN AIRPORT STATEMENT BEFORE LEAVING AMMAN, KISSINGER SAID HUSSEIN WOULD BEGIN ON MMARCH 12 THE VISIT TO WASHINGTON HE HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO MAKE EARLY IN FEBRUARY.

KISSINGER GAVE VO DETAILS OF HIS TALKS WITH HUSSEIN AND RIFAI. RIFAI SAID THEY HAD BEEN FRANK AND OCCURRED "IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF UNDERSTANDING AND FRIENDSHIP."

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ZCZC LUA109 031435 DLA005

00 LEA

KISS 3-3

1ST ADD NIGHT LD KISS AMMAN DLC082 X X X FRIENDSHIP.

IN EIGHT DAYS, KISSINGER WILL HAVE VISITED EIGHT COUNTRIES, ONE OF THEM, SYRIA, TWICE. HIS OBJECTIVE WAS TO GET TALKS STARTED BETWEEN SYRIA AND ISRAEL ON MILITARY DISENGAGEMENT IN THE GOLAN HEIGHTS, JUST AS HE ARRANGED DISENGAGEMENT BETWEEN EGYPT AND ISRAEL ALONG THE SUEZ CANAL.

HE SUCCEEDED IN KEEPING THE NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS ALIVE BUT DID NOT GET DIRECT TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. ISRAEL AND SYRIA AGREED TO SEND SENIOR NEGOTIATORS TO WASHINGTON THIS MONTH TO TALK TO KISSINGER SEPARATELY ABOUT DISENGAGEMENT, BUT THEY WERE AS FAR APART AS EVER ABOUT HOW IT WOULD BE CARRIED OUT.

IF THE GAP CAN BE NARROWED, DIRECT TALKS WILL HAVE TO COME LATER BUT UNITED STATES HOPES THE PROGRESS IS ENOUGH NOW FOR THE ARAB STATES TO LIFT THE OIL EMBARGO.

KISSINGER'S MISSION DAY BY DAY:

MONDAY FEB 25, WASHINGTON TO LONDON OVERNIGHT STOP.

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ZCZC LUA110 031438 DLA006

00 LEA

KISS 3-3

2ND ADD NIGHT LD KISS AMMAN DLA005 X X X STOP.

TUESDAY FEB 26. AFTER CONFERRING WITH BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY SIR ALEC DOUGLAS HOME AND PRKME MINISTER EDWARD HEATH, KISSINGER FLEW TO DAMASCUS TO BEGIN TALKS TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING WITH SYRIAN PRESIDENT HAFEZ ASSAD.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAID HE WANTED TO GET THE LIST OF ISRAELI WAR PRISONERS HELD BY SYRIA TO DELIVER TO ISRAEL AND GET SYRIAN PERMISSION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS TO VISIT THEM. THOSE WERE THE ISRAELI CONDITIONS FOR ENTERING ANY DISENGAGEMENT TALKS.

LATER IT WAS LEARNED THAT KISSINGER HAD THE LIST IN HIS KEEPING EVEN BEFORE THE LEFT WASHINGTON AND IN DAMASCUS GOT ASSAD'S PERMISSION BOTH TO DELIVER THE LIST AND FOR THE RED CROSS VISITS.

WEDNESDAY FEB 27. KISSINGER FLEW FROM SYRIA TO ISRAEL AND GAVE THE LIST TO ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER GOLDA MEIR WHO WEPT WITH JOY AND RELIEF. SHE AND OTHER ISRAELI LEADER BEGAN EXPLORING WITH KISSINGER THEIR IDEAS ABOUT DISENGAGEMENT.

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DAMASCUS - SYRIA

<table><tr><td>UNCLASSIFIED</td></tr></table>

0 011923Z MAR 74 ZFF4
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO USINT DAMASCUS IMMEDIATE 0196
BT
UNCLAS STATE 041357

TOSEC 246

E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: PFOR
SUBJECT: TRAVELLING PRESS REPORTAGE: NETWORKS

FOR VEST FROM KING

ALL THURSDAY EVENING NEWS PROGRAMS CARRIED ANNOUNCED RESUMP-
TION EGEPTIAN-U.S. RELATIONS. HOWEVER, ALL THREE NETWORKS
HAD TV ANCHORMEN REVIEWING STORY WITH NONE OF TRAVELLING
PRESS ON CAMERA.

FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS TWO HOTTELET VOICE COMMENTARIES,
FIRST FROM TEL AVIV ON CBS-TV MORNING SHOW AND SECOND ON
RADIO FROM CAIRO:

"THIS IS A CRUCIAL DAY IN WHAT KISSINGER IS TRYING TO DO IN THE MIDDLE EAST. IF HE IS SUCCESSFUL HERE IN TEL AVIV AND TONIGHT IN DAMASCUS, ISRAEL AND SYRIA WILL BE ON THE ROAD TO DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS... THE BREAKTHROUGH WAS THE PUBLICATION OF THE NAMES OF THE ISRAELI PRISONERS ON WEDNESDAY. NOW IN RETURN ISRAEL IS TO GIVE SYRIA ITS VIEWS ON DI ENGAGEMENT OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS TO MATCH THE PROPOSALS THAT SYRIA MADE IN JANUARY WHICH KISSINGER THEN BROUGHT TO JERUSALEM. IT DOESN'T MATTER TOO MUCH IF THE TWO POSITIONS CLASH; IT WOULD BE A MIRACLE IF THEY DIDN'T. SYRIA IS DEMANDING AND ISRAEL IS REFUSING TO PULL BACK TO THE 1967 LINES. THE IMMEDIATE QUESTION IS WHERE AND WHEN AND HOW DO THEY NOW MEET TO DISCUSS THOSE DIFFERENCES. THE ISRAELIS ARE READY TO TALK AT ANY TIME; THE REPLY THAT KISSINGER GETS IN DAMASCUS WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THE DIALOGUE CAN IN FACT BEGIN. THAT IS THE WAY IT LOOKS TO ME. 7. (THE) MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT KISSINGER'S VISIT TO EGYPT WAS (THAT) SADAT DRAMATICALLY INJECTED HIMSELF INTO THE PICTURE. HE MADE A PUBLIC APPEAL TO PRESIDENT ASAD TO BE PATIENT AND GIVE KISSINGER THE CHANCE TO DO WHAT KISSINGER WAS ABLE TO DO IN DISENGAGING ON THE EGYPTIAN FRONT, AND IN FACT EGYPT'S CHIEF OF STAFF WHO HAS JUST FLOWN TO DAMASCUS AND ONE GUESS IS THAT EGYPT MAY INVI E YRIA TO JOIN THE EGYPTIAN-ISRAELI MILITARY COMMISSION IN GENEVA WHICH REMOVES THE SYRIAN OBJECTION TO SPEAKING TO THE ISRAELIS PRIVATELY, KEEPS THEM IN THE HANDS OF FRIENDS AND HOPEFULLY IN THE HANDS OF FRIENDS LIKE THE EGYPTIANS WHO NOW HAVE SOME XPERIENCE AT NEGOTIATIONS AND WHO HAVE LOST THIS SORT OF OBSESSIVE FEAR OF TALKING DIRECTLY TO THE ISRAELIS THAT HAS CLOUDED THE WHOLE PICTURE OF DIPLOMACY HERE SO FAR. ..."

KISS 3-1
IST NIGHT LD KISS MLC064 PVS TEL AVIV

BY WILBUR G. LANDREY
DAMASCUS (UPI) -- U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY
A. KISSINGER ARRIVED IN DAMASCUS TONIGHT CARRYING ISRAELI
PROPOSALS FOR A MILITARY DISENGAGEMENT WITH SYRIA AND TOOK
THEM DIRECTLY TO SYRIAN PRESIDENT HAFEZ ASSAD.

IN PROBABLY THE MOST CRUCIAL DAY OF HIS MISSION TO THE
MIDDLE EAST, KISSINGER FLZW TO SYRIA FROM MEETINGS WITH
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER GOLDA MEIR TO BRING WHAT WERE
DESCRIBED BY AMERICAM OFFICIALS AS "IDEAS" OR "CONCEPTS"
OF HOW THE SEPARATION OF FORCES COULD TAKE PLACE IN THE
GOLAN HEIGHTS.

GOLAN HEIGHTS.
SYRIA'S REACTION TO THEM WILL DETERMINE WHETHER
KISSINGER IS ABLE TOHSET UP DISENGAGEMENT TALKS BETWEEN
THE TWO NATIONS.
FROM TEL AVIV AT 5:02 P.M.

KISSINGER TOOK OFF FROM TEL AVIV AT 5:02 P.M.
(1502 GMT) AND Landed IN DAMASCUS 50 MINUTES LATER.
AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAID HE WAS GOING DIRECTLY TO THE
SYRIAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE TO SEE ASSAD.

A HIGH OFFICIAL WITH THE PARTY SAID THE UNITED
STATES EXPECTED TO KNOW TONIGHTWHETHER OR NOT THE
DISENGAGEMENT TALKS COULD GO FORWARD AND IN WHAT FORM.
GENEVA OR POSSIBLY AN AGREED RENDEZVOUS ON THE GOLAN
HEIGHTS BOTH HAVE BEEN MENTIONED AS POSSIBILITIES.

HEIGHTS
IF THE TALKS DO GO FORWARD BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
KISSINGER WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO RETURN TO THE MIDDLE
EAST AFTER HIS MOSCOW VISIT LATE APRIL TO HELP BRING
ABOUT THE AGREEMENT.
FROM CAIRO THIS MORNING

ABOUT THE AGREEMENT.
KISSINGER FLEW TO TEL AVIV FROM CAIRO THIS MORNING
AND MET MRS. MEIR AT THE TWO-STORY ISRAELI GOVERNMENT
GUEST HOUSE ON A PROMINATORY OVER-LOOKING THE MEDITERRANEAN
NEAR TEL AVIV.
BEFORE OTHER

NEAR TEL AVIV.
THEY MET ALONE FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS BEFORE OTHER
U.S. AND ISRAELI OFFICIALS, INCLUDING DEFENSE MINISTER
MOSHE DAYAN, JOINED THE TALKS FOR ANOTHER 45 MINUTES.
THEN THEY ALL HAD LUNCH.
THE FROSTY, RAIN-SODDEN GOLAN FRONT

THEN THEY ALL HAD LUNCH.
THE IDEAS FOR DISENGAGEMENT ON THE FROSTY, RAIN-SODDEN GOLAN FRONT
SURFACED IN ISRAELI NEWSPAPERS. THEY CALL FOR ISRAEL 'BOV V
ELIS AND
WOULD LET THE ESTIMATED 15,000 REFUGEES DISLOCATED BY THE WAR RETURN
TO THEIR HOMES ON THE BLACK, ROCKY BATTLEFIELD.
FROM TEL AVIV AT 5:02 P.M.

TO THEIR HOMES ON THE BLACK, ROCKY BATTLEFIELD.
ISRAELI NEWSPAPER REPORTS SAID THE FORCES OF BOTH SIDES WOULD BE
THINNED OUT FOR 10 MILES (15KM) ON EACH SIDE OF THE LINE AND THE
RETURNED AREA WOULD BE DEMILITARIZED.
FROM CAIRO THIS MORNING

RETURNED AREA WOULD BE DEMILITARIZED.
THE CONVEYING OF THE IDEAS BY KISSINGER WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THE
SYRIANS HAVE RECEIVED ANYTHING OFFICIAL FROM ISRAEL.
FROM TEL AVIV AT 5:02 P.M.

SYRIANS HAVE RECEIVED ANYTHING OFFICIAL FROM ISRAEL.
SOVIET FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI A. GROMYKO IS LEAVING DAMASCUS JUST
BEFORE KISSINGER ARRIVES. HIS MISSION APPARENTLY WAS HURRIED AND
PREVIOUSLY UNSCHEDULED. BUT A SENIOR OFFICIAL WITH KISSINGER SAID
SO FAR THE RUSSIANS HAD NOT TRIED TO TAMPER WITH KISSINGER'S EFFORTS
TO ARRANGE A MIDDLE EAST PEACE SETTLEMENT.
FROM TEL AVIV AT 5:02 P.M.

TO ARRANGE A MIDDLE EAST PEACE SETTLEMENT.
IF SYRIAN PRESIDENT HAFEZ ASSAD DOES NOT AGREE TO TALKS IN SOME
FORM, KISSINGER IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO THE MIDDLE EAST AFTER HIS
TRIP TO MOSCOW IN LATE APRIL TO HELP CONCLUDE THE SAME KIND OF
ACCORD HE ARRANGED ON THE EGYPTIAN FRONT.
FROM TEL AVIV AT 5:02 P.M.

ACCORD HE ARRANGED ON THE EGYPTIAN FRONT.
AS KISSINGER ARRIVED, NEWSMEN ASKED HIM: "ARE YOU
OPTIMISTIC?" HE REPLIED WITH A SMILE: "I AM ALWAYS
OPTIMISTIC."
FROM TEL AVIV AT 5:02 P.M.

OPTIMISTIC.
ASKED WHETHER HE WAS BRINGING SOMETHING THAT WOULD
PLEASE THE SYRIANS, KISSINGER SAID: "I WILL LET THE
SYRIANS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES."
FROM TEL AVIV AT 5:02 P.M.

PICKUP 4TH PGH (1ST PGH 1ST ADD MLR 05-1)
SYRIAN

ZCZC LMA330 011634 MLB086 NXI
UU LPI

KISS 3-1

1ST ADD 4TH LD KISS DAMASCUS MLB085 X X X WEDNESDAY.

SYRIAN OFFICIALS SAID AFTER A BRIEF REST, KISSINGER
WOULD MEET PRESIDENT HAFEZ, 47, AT THE PRESIDENTIAL
PALACE TO DISCUSS THE ISRAELI PROPOSALS.

KISSINGER PLANNED TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN DAMASCUS.
OFFICIALS EXPECTED H WOULD HAVE FURTHER TALKS WITH
PRESIDENT ASSAD SATURDAY BEFORE FLYING TO AMMAN TO
MEET KING HUSSEIN OF JORDAN.

THE SEEMINGLY TIRELESS KISSINGER FLEW TO ISRAEL
FROM CAIRO EARLY TODAY AND SPENT NEARLY FIVE HOURS IN
TALKS WITH ISRAELI PREMIER MRS. GOLDA MEIR AND OTHER
OFFICIALS AT A GOVERNMENT GUEST HOUSE OUTSIDE TEL AVIV.

BEFORE LEAVING BEN-GURION AIRPORT AT 5:01 P.M.
(1501 GMT) TOLD NEWSMEN HIS TALKS WITH THE ISRAELIS
WERE "FRANK AND DETAILED" BUT DID NOT MENTION SPECIFICS.

KISSINGER HAD SEVEN HOURS OF TALKS WITH THE SYRIAN
PRESIDENT THURSDAY BEFORE FLYING TO ISRAEL TO PRESENT
ASSAD'S VIEWS ON DISENGAGEMENT TO THE ISRAELIS. DURING
THAT VISIT ASSAD ALSO GAVE KISSINGER A LIST OF 65 ISRAELI
WAR PRISONERS AND PROMISED TO LET INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS
OFFICIALS VISIT THE PRISONERS TODAY.

SYRIAN OFFICIALS AND THE STATE-RUN MEDIA GAVE NO
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RED CROSS VISITS., BUT RED CROSS
OFFICIALS IN GENEVA SAID THE VISITS WENT AHEAD ON SCHEDULE.

SOVIET FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI A. GROMYKO, WHO
ARRIVED IN DAMASCUS THURSDAY FIVE HOURS AFTER KISSINGER
LEFT, LEFT THE SYRIAN CAPITAL FOR CAIRO TODAY ABOUT SIX
HOURS BEFORE KISSINGER ARRIVED AGAIN.

A POLICEWOMAN REPRESENTING FAMILIES OF THE PRISONERS HANDED KISSINGER A BOUQUET OF PINKISH-ORANGE TBIRDS OF PARADISE FLOWERS. A SIMPLE CARD ACCOMPANYING THEM MERELY SAID, "THANK YOU." HE RESPONDED:

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THESE FLOWERS HERE REMIND US THAT FOREIGN
POLICY EVENTUALLY CONCERNS HUMAN BEINGS AND THAT THEIR WELFARE IS
AND MUST BE THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF ALL OUR EFFORTS."

KISSINGER, WHO LEFT ISRAEL THURSDAY TO HOLD A DAY OF TALKS WITH EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT ANWAR SADAT IN CAIRO, RETURNED TODAY TO GET THE IDEAS ON DISENGAGEMENT IN TALKS AT A GOVERNMENT GUEST HOUSE IN THE FASHIONABLE TEL AVIV SUBURB OF HERZLIYA.

HE MET WITH PRIME MINISTER GOLDA MEIR, EBAN, THE CHIEF OF STAFF, LT. GN. DAVID ELAZAR, AND ISRAEL'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES, SIMHA DINITZ.

SYRIA'S REACTION TO WHAT WERE DESCRIBED AS IDEAS FOR HDISENGAGEMENT

--AS OPPOSED TO CONCRETE PROPOSALS -- WILL DETERMINE WHETHER KISSINGER IS ABLE TO SET UP DISENGAGEMENT TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS, AS HE DID BETWEEN ISRAEL AND EGYPT.

SYRIA IS AMONG THE MOST RADICAL OF ARAB COUNTRIES.

MES1835

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ZCZC LMA400 011916 MLB097 NXI
00 LPI

KISS 3-1

2ND ADD 1ST NIGHT LD KISS DAMASCUS MLB096 X X X LUNCH.

DURING THE KISSINGER-MEIR TALKS, AN AIDE BROUGHT MRS. MEIR NEWS THAT SYRIA HAD ALLOWED, AS AGREED, THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS OBSERVERS TO VISIT 63 OF THE 65 ISRAELI WAR PRISONERS IN SYRIAN HANDS SINCE THE OCTOBER WAR. TWO OTHERS ARE IN HOSPITAL AND WERE TO BE VISITED LATER.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAID MRS. MEIR WAS OBVIOUSLY "VERY PLEASED" AT THE NEWS.

KISSINGER FLEW INTO DAMASCUS SIX HOURS AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF SOVIET FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI GROMYKO WHO MADE A HURRIED AND PREVIOUSLY UNSCHEDULED TRIP HERE BETWEEN THE TWO KISSINGER VISITS ON WEDNESDAY AND TODAY. GROMYKO FLEW TO CAIRO FOR A FIVE-DAY VISIT AFTER WHICH HE PLANNED TO RETURN TO DAMASCUS.

VAMERICAN TFFICIALS SAID AFTER HIS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT ASSAD TONIGHT, KISSINGER PLANNED TO LEAVE AROUND 9:00 A.M. (0700 GMT) SATURDAY FOR THE SAUDI ARABIAN CAPITAL OF RIYADH. HE WAS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS PROSPECTS FOR LIFTING THE ARAB OIL EMBARGO WITH KING FAISAL.

FROM RIYADH, KISSINGER PLANNED TO FLY TO AMMAN LATER IN THE DAY TO MEET KING HUSSEIN OF JORDAN.

PICKUP MLC064 NIGHTLD 3RD PGH: KISSINGER'S SUCCESS.

WGL

GD 1930

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UNCLASSIFIED

2. WASHPOST (BERGER) FRONT-PAGE RESUMED DIP RELATIONS AND SAYS, HIGH IN STORY, THAT SADAT'S PUBLIC INVITATION TO NIXON TO VISIT EGYPT INDICATES US HAS PROBABLY ALREADY ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE. AFTER DETAILING EVENTS OF DAY AND SIGNIFICANCE THEREOF, BERGER QUOTES EGYPTIAN SOURCES AS SAYING SADAT DISPATCHING HIGH-LEVEL ENVOY TO TALK TO ASAD BEFORE HAK GOES BACK TO DAMASCUS, THIS BY WAY OF UNDERSCORING THEME THAT SADAT CRUCIAL TO GOLAN SETTLEMENT. ONLY DIRECT QUOTES FROM US OFFICIALS ARE HAK'S, (A) ON BEING RAINED ON AT CHEOPS PYRAMID ("HAVE YOU EVER BEEN RAINED ON IN THE DESERT BEFORE?"), AND (B) ON CONCLUSION OF MS FUAD'S BELLY-DANCE ("SHE WILL BE THE FIRST TO RECEIVE A CULTURAL EXCHANGE VISA.")

3. WASHSTAR'S JERRY O INSIDE (P4) WITH 450 WORDS REPORTING HAK AT ATTENTION AS FLAG GOES UP OVER AMEMB CAIRO FIRST TIME SINCE 1967. DETAILS SECRETARY'S CAPITAL-TO-CAPITAL ITINERARY AND REASONS THEREFORE, THEN FOCUSES ON UPCOMING RIYADH VISIT AND PROSPECTS FOR CONTINUING OIL EMBARGO. SAYS REPORTERS TRAVELING WITH HAK CERTAIN ANY GOOD NEWS THIS SUBJECT WOULD BE RESERVED FOR WHITE HOUSE.

4. BALTSUN HAS KEAT OUTSIDE ABOVE FOLD LEADING WITH RESUMPTION OF RELATIONS AND, AT LENGTH, SADAT'S CRYPTIC COMMENTS ON WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT IN ME DIPLOMACY. BURIES NIXON INVITATION TO CAIRO DEEP IN STORY AND NOTES, AS DO OTHER STORIES THAT SADAT RECEIVED HAK IN MUFTI FOR FIRST TIME IN HIS FOUR VISITS HERE. REASON, SADAT QUOTED AS SAYING, IS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO SECRETARY'S -TIRELESS EFFORTS" FOR ME PEACE AND ADDED IT FIRST TIME HE'S WORN CIVVIES TO RECEIVE A VISITOR SINCE WAR.

5. NYDN'S NIFTY BANNER HEAD P., "US, EGYPT BUDDIES AGAIN", GRACES CARTER'S 500 WORDS EX-CAIRO, WHO HAS SECRETARY ACTUALLY RAISING FLAG AT OUR EMBASSY. WHOLE PIECE BASIC EXPLAINER OF SITUATION HAK DEALING WITH. SAYS AMERICAN

OFFICIALS WON'T SAY SO PUBLICLY, BUT A CHIEF PURPOSE OF HAK'S VISIT TO CAIRO IS TO GET SADAT TO URGE PATIENCE ON ASAD, SO HE DOES NOT BREAK OFF NEGOTIATIONS AS SOON AS HE SEES ISRAELI IDEAS TOMORROW. SADAT SAYS HE WILL ADVISE ASAD: "TO START, AND CONTINUE, AND GIVE DR. KISSINGER THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK OUT AND ACHIEVE WHAT HE HAS ACHIEVED HERE ON THE EGYPTIAN FRONT." CARTER FURTHER QUOTES SADAT ON SIGNIFICANCE OF CHANGE OF ATTIRE: "SURE ... I THINK WE ARE HAVING NEW ERA." PIECE CONCLUDES WITH AMERICAN OFFICIAL ON ISRAEL-EGYPT FLIGHT THAT IF GOLAN DISENGAGEMENT NEGOTIATIONS SUCCEED, PROBABLE NEXT STEP IS ATTEMPT TO WORK OUT FURTHER AND POSSIBLY FINAL ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM SINAI PENINSULA. ADDS DIRECT QUOTE FROM SAME OFFICIAL THAT IF SYRIAN-ISRAELI DIS-ENGAGEMENT WORKS, THERE WOULD BE AT LEAST A CHANCE OF MAKING "SOME VERY BIG PROGRESS" ON THIS (SINAI) FRONT.

6. CHITRIB HAS UPI OVERNITER OF DAY'S DEVELOPMENTS EXTENSIVELY ON P1. NO STAND COPY.

UNCLASSIFIED

ON THE MINUS SIDE, HOWEVER, FOR SOME COTTON-PRODUCING COUNTRIES
IS THE DANGER OF INSUFFICIENT SUPPLIES OF FERTILIZER, COUPLED
WITH HIGHER PRICES FOR IT EVEN WHERE IT IS AVAILABLE IN
SUFFICIENT QUANTITY.

ANOTHER ENERGY-RELATED FACTOR WHICH MIGHT HINDER COTTON
EXPORTS IS A POSSIBLE LACK OF ENOUGH OCEAN TRANSPORTATION AND SPACE TO DELIVER THE COTTON WHERE IT IS NEEDED.

ALL IN ALL, HOWEVER, ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS, IT APPEARS THAT
THE ENERGY-RELATED BENEFITS FOR COTTON WILL OUTWEIGH THE
MINUS EFFECTS TO GIVE THIS CROP A BIGGER SHARE
OF THE MATERIAL-FOR-TEXTILES MARKET. ITEM

3-1-74 7:55PM

NESA-59

(EXERPTS) KISSINGER, FAHMY REMARKS AT U.S. FLAG RAISING (450)

CAIRO, MARCH 1--FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS FROM REMARKS MADE BY
SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY KISSINGER AND EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
ISMAIL FAHMY AT MARCH 1 CEREMONIES ACCOMPANYING THE RAISING OF
THE AMERICAN FLAG OVER THE UNITED STATES EMBASSY:

(BEGIN KISSINGER EXCERPTS)

IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT ONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE
IN EVENTS THAT MARK THE TURNING POINT IN THE RELATIONS AMONG
PEOPLE AND A HISTORIC DEPARTURE. WHEN I CAME TO EGYPT IN NOVEMBER
AND SPOKE TO EGYPT'S GREAT LEADER PRESIDENT SADAT FOR THE FIRST
TIME HE SAID TO ME "LET'S NOT DO A SERIES OF LITTLE THINGS;
LET'S TRY TO DO A BIG THING." DUE TO HIS VISION AND EVERYBODY'S
COMMITMENT I BELIEVE THAT A "BIG THING" HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.
THE REESTABLISHMENT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN EGYPT AND THE
UNITED STATES IS NOT JUST A TACTICAL MOVE ON THE CHECKERBOARD
OF INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY. IT REFLECTS A LONG TRADITION AND IT
REFLECTS AN EVEN FIRMER FUTURE. WE HAVE NOT JUST REESTABLISHED
RELATIONS. WE HAVE BEGUN WHAT I AM CONFIDENT WILL BE A LASTING
FRIENDSHIP. THE UNITED STATES WILL WORK WITH EGYPT ON THE ESTABLISH-
MENT OF ISDOMLAND LASTING PEACE IN THE MIELTEYUN JRLMN THE

PROGRESS AND STABILITY OF THE AREA. WE WILL DO SO IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF CONFIDENCE AND RECOGNITION OF MUTUAL INTERESTS THAT HAS DEVELOPED BETWEEN US AND ON THE BASIS OF THE WARM PEACE RELATIONS THAT

HAS INCREASINGLY BEEN DRAWN UP BETWEEN OUR TWO NATIONS. ABOVE ALL I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO FOREIGN MINISTER FAHMY AND TO PRESIDENT SADAT FOR THEIR VISION, FOR THEIR COURAGE. AND I WANT OUR EGYPTIAN FRIENDS TO KNOW THAT THE UNITED STATES GEWENT IS COMMITTED TO A CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT OF OUR RELATION

PAGE 2--KISSINGER, FAHMY

(BEGIN FAHMY EXCERPTS)

SINCE OCTOBER SIXTH AND SINCE SECRETARY KISSINGER VISITED US I KNEW FOR A FACT OUR RELATIONS ARE GOING TO PROGRESS ON THE RIGHT PATH...I CAN TELL YOU FRANKLY THEY (DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS) WERE RESUMED SINCE HIS FIRST VISIT. BUT WHAT WE ARE WITNESSING TOJAY IS A MERE FORMALITY AND A HAPPY FORMALITY FOR BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND EGYPT. AS SECRETARY KISSINGER HAS RIGHTLY SAID, AND I CONCUR WITH HIM ENTIRELY, OUR RELATIONS ARE NOT A TACTICAL MANEUVER. RELATIONS ARE GOING TO PROGRESS ON A SOLID BASIS AND WE HOPE THUIFBL WILL STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEACE -- A JUST PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE AREA AND AROUND THE AREA. AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE THAT OUR RELATIONS IN EVERY FIELD DEVELOP IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE AND SO FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED WE ARE COMMITTED TO DO OUR BEST TO SEE THAT THIS IS DONE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE FROM STAGE TO STAGE AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD FOR ALL THE BEST OF OCCASIONS TO EXCHANGE VISITS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND OUR COUNTRY. (END FAHMY EXCERPTS) ITEM

3-1-74 8:00PM

TELEGRAM INCOMING

SECRET

AMEMBASSY AMMAN

IMMEDIATE

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EXDIS(HANDLE AS NODIS/CHEROKEE), TOSEC 293

FOLLOWING REPEAT CAIRO 1021 ACTION SECSTATE 02 MAR 74

QTE

SECRET CAIRO 1021

EXDIS (HANDLE AS NODIS/CHEROKEE)

PLEASE PASS TO SECRETARY'S PARTY

FOR THE SECRETARY FROM AMBASSADOR

EO 11652: XGDS

TAGS: PFOR EG US UR

SUBJECT: SYRIAN NEGOTIATIONS

REF: DAMASCUS 172 (SECTO 0101)

1. MET WITH FAHMY EARLY THIS AFTERNOON TO GIVE HIM REFERENCED MESSAGE. HE EXPRESSED APPRECIATION AND INDICATED OUR INFO CONSISTENT WITH WHAT GAMASY HAD BROUGHT BACK. GAMASY HAD SHORTLY BEFORE MY ARRIVAL TELEPHONED TO GIVE FAHMY RESULTS OF CHIEF OF STAFF'S MISSION.

2. READING FROM NOTES, FAHMY SAID ASSAD HAD INITIALLY BEEN TOTALLY INFLEXIBLE. GAMASY HAD MANAGED TO IMPRESS UPON HIM IMPORTANCE OF SHOWING SOME FLEXIBILITY AND HAD STRESSED YOU ARE WORKING IN GOOD FAITH. ASSAD HAD FINALLY AGREED TO COOPERATE. SUBSEQUENTLY GAMASY HAD BEEN BRIEFED BY ASSAD ON RESULTS OF YOUR MEETINGS WITH HIM. FAHMY WAS PLEASED ASSAD APPEARS THIS TIME NOT TO BE DISTORTING TALKS.

3. FAHMY ALSO TOLD ME GOE IS NOW CONFIDENT OIL EMBARGO WILL BE LIFTED ON MARCH 10. HE HAD JUST RECEIVED WORD (PRESUMABLY FROM MARWAN) THAT AMIR OF KUWAIT HAS AGREED THERETO. HE SAID KUWAIT IS LAST STATE TO BE HEARD FROM. EILTS UNQTE CASEY

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SECRET

CRU - 005

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INCOMING

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AMEMBASSY AMMAN

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RECEIVED
COMMUNICATIONS

2 MAR 74 16 41z

11/25

ACTION

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TOSEC 294

E.O. 11652: N/A

TAGS: PFOR

SUBJECT: TV-RADIO COVERAGE OF ME TRIP, MARCH 1.

FOR VEST FROM KING

SECRETARY'S ACTIVITIES IN ME RATED SCANT ONE-SENTANCE MENTION BY ALL THREE NETWORK ANCHORMEN ON WATERGATE DOM INATED EVENING NEWS SHOWS. CRONKITE, HOWEVER, INTERRUPTED PROGRAM WITH BULLETIN THAT SYRIANS HAD REJECTED ISRAELI PROPOSALS. ADDED THAT HAK SAID HE IS NOT GIVING UP EFFORT TO GET SETTLEMENT. METROMEDIA LATER IN EVENING REPORTED SAME WITHOUT COMMENT.

AYEM MARCH 2 RADIO REPORTS SYRIAN REJECTION WITH SOME PERSPECTIVE, SAYING DAMASCUS INITIAL REACTION WAS EXPECTED AND THAT ISRAELI-SYRIAN NEGOTIATIONS WOULD RESUME IN WASHINGTON IN TWO WEEKS WITH HAK CONTINUING TO ACT AS MIDDLE MAN. SPOT NEWSCASTS REPORTING HAK IN SAUDI ARABIA TALKING OIL WITH FAISAL, WITH NEXT STOP AMMAN.

ONLY TRAVELER HEARD WAS ABC'S, KOPPEL COMMENTING THAT ISRAELI SYRIAN NEGOTIATIONS MORE DIFFICULT THAN HAK HAS ANTICIPATED. CBS (WASSERTHILE) REPORTS EX TEL AVIV THAT GOI NOT DISCOURAGED WITH SYRIAN REJECTION BECAUSE THAT'S WAY EGYPTIAN DISENGAGEMENT NEGOTIATIONS BEGAN.

CBS FROM CAIRO (PETER WARD) HAD INTERESTING COMMENTARY CONTRASTING RECEPTIONS SADAT GAVESHAK AND GROMYKO. REPORTS HAK RECEIVED "AT ONCE" BY SADAT WHILE GROMYKO WAS KEPT WAITING IN SADAT'S OUTER OFFICE MARCH 1 WHILE EGYPTIAN LEADER HELD TALKS WITH WORLD BANK'S MC NAMARA. SADAT "APPARENTLY TOO BUSY TO SEE THE SOVIET FOREIGN MINISTER." COMMENTARY ALSO NOTES THAT US-EGYPTIAN RELATIONS REESTABLISHED WITH GREAT PUBLIC ACCLAIM IN EGYPT, LEAVING SOVS TO ASK THEMSELVES WHETHER THEY'VE POURED VAST AMOUNTS OF AID INTO EGYPT ONLY TO SEE EGYPT ELOPE WITH AMERICA.

NOTE: ALL THREE SUNDAY TALK SHOWS BOOKED WITH WATERGATE-RELATED PROGRAMS; NO FOREIGN A FAIRS COMMENTARIES EXPECTED. CASEY

UNCLASSIFIED

CRU - 005

... PROSPECTS IN DAMASCUS, p. 1

... NIXON PRESS CONFERENCE, p. 14

KISSINGER IN MIDDLE EAST - II

Summary

As Secretary Kissinger arrived in Damascus to urge Syrian-Israeli disengagement, correspondents and commentators reflected hopes for progress in spite of grave differences over the Golan Heights and other issues.

(See second article of today's report for Middle East references in President Nixon's news conference.)

--Two British correspondents in Damascus gleaned contrasting impressions: The *Times* of London reported that Mr. Kissinger arrived in Syria "amid rising hopes that he will achieve a breakthrough on the Golan Heights front"; the *Financial Times* found "some indication" that the Syrian position "may be harder than earlier optimistic reports have suggested."

--*Le Monde* of Paris predicted that "the 'magician' of American diplomacy will find it more difficult to untie the Israeli-Syrian knot," but saw him "condemned to maintain at any cost a peace momentum in the Middle East..."

--West Germany's *Bonner Rundschau* said "Kissinger goes into this round with good prospects" even though "Syria does not yet have the basis for trust of the Israelis that Egypt has."

Beirut's *an-Nahar* suggested that "the American Secretary is coming to administer finishing touches," and that "the main issues, including the oil embargo, have been agreed upon."

Cairo's Voice of the Arabs reiterated the recent Government finding that "the U.S. attitude has changed from complete partiality toward Israel" and declared that "if the U.S. can maintain this position" it would achieve "a separation of forces on the Syrian front."

Moscow broadcasts to the Arab world continued to warn of sinister motives "Behind the Scenes in the Search for a Middle East Settlement"--the title of one commentary.

No. 27

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2/27/74

London: "Rising Hope for a Breakthrough"

A correspondent in Damascus for the independent *Times* of London reported today that Mr. Kissinger arrived in Syria "amid rising hopes that he will achieve a breakthrough on the Golan Heights front." He credited to "well-placed sources in Damascus" the view that President Asad would "agree to a list of Israeli prisoners in return for Israel's commitment to withdraw beyond the Quneitra Line in the Golan Heights."

The independent London *Financial Times* today carried correspondent James Buxton's report that in Damascus "there has been no official statement... of the Syrian negotiating position, but there are some indications that it may be harder than earlier optimistic reports have suggested."

The liberal *Guardian* of Manchester and London today ran the report of its diplomatic correspondent, Patrick Keatley, that in his London meetings with Prime Minister Heath and Foreign Secretary Douglas-Home, Mr. Kissinger "let it be known... that he will be well satisfied on this trip if he can get the Syrians and Israelis to agree to start talks on disengagement...

"If they were to get under way while he was in the Middle East, that would be a bonus. If the two sides asked him to stay on as mediator... that would be a miracle."

Yesterday Keatley remarked that Mr. Kissinger's London stopover "raised the question whether Washington believes that the British Government is in a position to provide a helping hand in the diplomacy of dealing with the Arabs." He inferred that "there must be formidable arguments for getting the cooperation of British ministers, otherwise Mr. Nixon would hardly ask them to set aside half a day in the last 48 hours of the election campaign."

"His Present Indispensable Role"

In an editorial, the paper judged that "the most Dr. Kissinger can hope for at this stage is for Syria to fulfil its basic obligations towards the prisoners and to get talks like those at Kilometer 101 started..."

"One day the Arabs and Israelis will have to do without their ubiquitous American nanny. Until then his role is indispensable for keeping the road from Damascus to Geneva open."

No. 27

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2/27/74

## Paris TV: "Will Need All His Talent"

French media yesterday and today predicted a difficult time ahead for Secretary Kissinger on his Middle East mission.

The second network of state-run French television last night aired a film report on the Secretary's stopover in London. A commentator said, "He now has a delicate mission ahead of him; it is not certain that the welcome in Damascus will be as warm as in London. He maneuvered very well with Damascus but all his negotiating talent will be needed to thaw a situation which seemed frozen forever."

## "The Most Difficult Knot to Untie"

Independent Le Monde declared today that the present Kissinger trip "is much more uncertain than his three previous tries at mediation." It said:

"The 'magician' of American diplomacy will find it more difficult to untie the Israeli-Syrian knot.... The passionate character of the conflict...and the precarious political situation in both countries make Mr. Kissinger's task very complicated.... However, he remains optimistic."

The paper concluded that the Secretary "is condemned to maintain at any cost a peace momentum in the Middle East which would otherwise lapse again into a dangerous situation."

Today's moderately conservative Figaro of Paris carried a byliner's suggestion of possible reasons for the "silence of the Syrian Government and press" on the Kissinger visit to Damascus. He wrote:

"The Syrian leaders want to act in a consistent manner and so are careful to give their people the impression that for them, troop disengagement is of secondary importance. That does not prevent them from wanting to achieve it."

No. 27

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2/27/74

# "Disengagement Agreement This Week?"

The paper yesterday carried a correspondent's prediction from Beirut that "Mr. Kissinger will probably have to shuttle between Damascus and Tel Aviv several times and even go as far as Cairo to obtain President Sadat's intervention. But the disengagement agreement for the Syrian-Israeli front will probably be achieved at the end of the week or early next week."

He said the Arabs, "the Syrians in particular, want to avoid a situation where, once troop disengagement is obtained on both fronts, Tel Aviv would freeze the peace process with Washington's tacit approval." He added:

> "As for Palestinian participation, it is not assured at this point. It seems that the Palestinians' appearance on the stage is written in for a later act."

# "Asad Will Be Tougher Than Sadat"

Financial _Les Echos_ observed yesterday that even if Mr. Kissinger succeeds in his Syrian mission and the Syrians stop their "shilly-shallying," there would still remain a hard task ahead. It declared:

> "Asad of Syria will be a tougher interlocutor for Mr. Kissinger than was the Egyptian Sadat recently. But not as tough perhaps as the Palestinian leaders when it comes time for a third step which would lead them to the negotiating table."

The paper noted that there also remains "the fourth and last act, wherein the fate of Jerusalem must be decided." It said:

> "To triumph over such a body of opposition and contradiction the American mediator will need equal amounts of skill and endurance. But as everyone knows, that is what he lacks the least."

No. 27

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2/27/74

A French View of London Stopover

Gaullist La Nation of Paris yesterday titled an article, "Dear Henry Descends on London." It complained that "if high-level bilateral consultations are always useful, they would have been more so after the Secretary of State's visit to the Middle East." It said:

"The British are therefore ever so slightly annoyed by what they call Mr. Kissinger's or his advisers' 'lack of tact,' because they should have understood the Government's and the political parties' delicate position only three days from elections."

West Germany: "The Road to Peace Is Mined"

West German television last night reported Secretary Kissinger's arrival in Damascus. Both networks showed film clips of his meetings in London.

A second network studio commentator said Monday night that Mr. Kissinger, "the travelling salesman of peace, is on his way again and everything is set up to go as smoothly as in Cairo last time."

"But this is easier said than done... because of the weakness of the Israeli leadership and Syria's difficult attitude toward compromise. The prospects are not good for the Washington mediator. This time Kissinger will not only need strong nerves but also luck. The road to peace in the Middle East is not only paved with well-meant suggestions, but also with mines."

West German newspapers today carried reports that Mr. Kissinger was "very hopeful" about the possibility of Israeli-Syrian peace talks.

Several papers reported "ill feeling" in the U.S. about reports that Mrs. Meir had called the Golan Heights an integral part of Israel.

No. 27

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2/27/74

# "Good Prospects"

Pro-Christian Democratic Bonner Rundschau ran a byliner's judgment that "Kissinger goes into this round with good prospects because neither Israel nor Syria wants to slow down or stop the American initiative."

"Syria does not yet have the basis for trust of the Israelis that Egypt has. Israeli and Egyptian soldiers fraternized on the banks of the Canal while Kissinger was bringing their governments closer together. Now Kissinger's main task is to achieve a similar climate between Israel and Syria."

# "New Round, New Situation"

Right-center influential Frankfurter Allgemeine yesterday summed up a new situation:

"After the conclusion of the military agreement between Israel and Egypt, a disgruntled Kissinger let it be known that one reason the U.S. had committed itself so energetically in the Middle East negotiations was the hope that as a result of the U.S. effort the oil embargo against the U.S. would be lifted. In the Arab world this is being interpreted to mean that because America depends on Arab oil, Washington exerted a certain amount of pressure on Israel which produced the success of the Egyptian-Israeli military talks.

"The fact that Asad is entering a new round of negotiations with Kissinger indicates fairly clearly that Asad counts on obtaining advantages from peace talks with Israel..."

"Syria is ready to negotiate with Israel because, without Egypt, Damascus dares not get into a war with Israel. And the U.S. needs Arab oil. That is the situation as Kissinger begins his new round."

No. 27

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2/27/74

# "Trust in Kissinger"

Pro-Social Democratic Neue Rhein Zeitung of Duesseldorf, in an analysis titled "Kissinger, the Magician," found Mr. Kissinger's chances of success in his current mission to be only even. It asserted:

> "Kissinger... will not have an easy time persuading Israel that the U.S. has not left it in the lurch...

> "An American guarantee of external security is the prerequisite for the restoration of domestic political stability in Israel just as much as Israel needs that stability as the prerequisite for progress toward peace.

> "It is impossible to do anything else but place our trust in Kissinger, the magician, in wishing for peace in the Middle East."

Another pro-Social Democratic paper, Westfaelische Rundschau of Dortmund, held that Mr. Kissinger "will be able to count on support from Egypt and the USSR" in his negotiations with Syria.

## West Berlin: "Golan Settlement Would Be a Step"

Independent Berliner Morgenpost suggested that a troop disengagement agreement might have to be arranged by "an Israeli concession in advance--a withdrawal from occupied territory....

> "Even a settlement on the Golan Heights would be only a small step toward the goal of peace in the Middle East. The persistent Arab calls for the legitimate rights of the Palestinians and for full Arab authority over Jerusalem are still on the table. And guerilla chief Arafat continues his unholy war."

No. 27

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2/27/74

Rome TV: Report of Brezhnev Support

An analyst on state-controlled Italian TV last night maintained that "the importance
of the Kissinger-Asad talks was augmented by the fact that Brezhnev sent a
message actively to support the Kissinger mission."

He also noted "persistent rumors that U.S. -Egyptian diplomatic relations will be resumed. This would be favorable to Sadat's goal of securing American help for Egypt's economic revival."

Socialist Avanti of Rome regarded the present mission as the "most difficult."

"However, Kissinger is not accustomed to undertaking missions which cannot be successful."

Vienna: "Israel Must Give on Golan Heights"

Independent Kurier of Vienna maintained today:

"To satisfy the Arabs and Kissinger, the Israeli Government will have to express willingness to withdraw from the Golan Heights. We doubt that Golda Meir's weak minority government will be able to do this.

"If the Israeli cabinet falls, Kissinger will press for new elections. One reason for this is his interest in safeguarding America's energy supply."

Damascus: Brief Reports of Visit

Radio Damascus domestic service broadcast only very brief reports that Secretary Kissinger had conferred with President Asad and that he would return to Damascus Friday evening.

Beirut: "Agreement Will Be a Major Step"

Independent influential *an-Nahar* of Beirut declared today that "what seems difficult or impossible between Israel and Syria... is easy.... It suffices that Israel agree to the return of the Syrian refugees and to having the separation

No. 27

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2/27/74

of forces take place within the Golan Heights, that is, at Quneitra, beyond the
1967 lines....

"In addition to the question of the refugees, Syria wants to achieve what Egypt achieved at Suez and Sinai, namely, to make Israel agree in principle that lands occupied in the June war, specifically the Golan Heights, are to be the main topic of a peace conference....

"It would be surprising if it develops that Dr. Kissinger, in his talks in Washington with the Syrian representative and with the Saudi and Egyptian foreign ministers, did not arrive at some conclusion which encouraged him to make his third trip. Thus there is a feeling that the American Secretary is coming to administer finishing touches, and that the main issues, including the oil embargo, have been agreed upon.

"A Syrian-Israeli agreement, if one materializes, will also be a major step, not only toward lifting the embargo, but also toward a general settlement, because Syria's acceptance is connected to acceptance by the Palestinians."

Conservative al-Hayat, however, said that "Western correspondents in this area do not share the idea that Kissinger will walk a path of roses between Damascus and Tel Aviv....

"Their pessimism... is founded mainly on information concerning present conditions in Damascus and on the changed attitude of the Soviet Union."

## "U.S. Hints 'Last' Mission"

Independent al-Bayraq said official American sources had dropped hints that this would be Secretary Kissinger's "last" mission to the Middle East in order to inspire two interpretations:

"The first is that the Secretary is satisfied with the success of his mission...and therefore there is no need to return....
The second is a pessimistic one for those who find an implicit

No. 27

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2/27/74

threat that Dr. Kissinger will dissociate himself, and later
American diplomacy, from the peace mission in the Middle
East if both Syria and Israel prove intransigent. It is a
threat directed not only at obtaining separation of the forces
on the Golan Heights, but also at getting the Arab oil states
not to push their oil embargo of the U.S. beyond what the
U.S. can bear."

Cairo: "U.S. Holds the Key"

Government-run Voice of the Arabs of Cairo said that "a success on his fourth mission would increase the chances of peace in the area; failure would diminish those chances..."

"We believe that the success or failure of Henry Kissinger's mission is to some extent dependent on Israel's attitude, but we also believe that the U.S. holds the key to the success of the mission because the U.S. can persuade and influence Israel...."

"The U.S.' efforts have shown that the U.S. attitude has changed from complete partiality toward Israel to that of a moderate policy which seeks the establishment of peace on the basis of U.N. resolutions. If the U.S. can maintain this position--and it is in the U.S.' own interests to do so and in the interests of peace in the Middle East--the U.S. will succeed in bringing about a separation of forces on the Syrian front."

"If this is achieved, it will be a first step toward the next stage--achieving a final settlement in the Middle East. It must be made clear, however, that the separation of forces is a step toward complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab territory and toward full restoration of the Palestinian people's rights. A thorough study of the key issues must be made and a solution must be found."

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2/27/74

## Correspondent on Syria's Concerns

A Damascus correspondent of Cairo's Government-controlled Middle East News Agency reported yesterday that Damascus information media "have not displayed any enthusiasm over Kissinger's visit. Press and radio today ignored the visit and official circles are reserved.

"Perhaps what the Syrians are most concerned about is insuring that the disengagement of forces is not an objective in itself, and in obtaining clear guarantees that this is a step on the road toward complete Israeli withdrawal and toward safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with Security Council resolutions..."

"Observers here... expect Kissinger's visit this time to be more fruitful than his earlier visits because of the preparations in Washington which preceded it in the form of Kissinger's meetings with the Saudi and Egyptian foreign ministers and the Syrian representative."

"The opinion of observers that Kissinger's visit today will be successful is strengthened by the fact that should it not succeed, the whole area will once again be placed on the brink of a tense situation and the road to a resumption of the Geneva conference will be closed...."

## Baghdad: Palestinian Leader's View

The Voice of Palestine radio, Baghdad, yesterday broadcast a "message" to Palestinians by George Habash, Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, sharply rejecting settlement of the Middle East issues on Mr. Kissinger's initiatives and concepts or on the basis of U.N. resolutions. Iraqi News Service also carried a long report of the message.

Habash rejected such settlement proposals on the grounds that they disguised imperialist ambitions to guarantee the existence of Israel and to "plunder the Arabs of their riches." He declared that "Palestinian national unity must be established on the basis of continuing our armed struggle against the Zionist and imperialist enemy until victory."

No. 27

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2/27/74

# Jerusalem: Kissinger Arrival Remarks

Radio Jerusalem reported that on arrival in Israel today, Secretary Kissinger said "good progress" had been made in Damascus "on several subjects of great interest to Israel." The report noted that Mr. Kissinger also expressed the hope that his current mission would achieve success similar to that which resulted in the troop disengagement talks with Egypt.

## "Israeli-Syrian Gap Too Wide"

Semi-official *Davar* of Tel Aviv said today that "the gap between the Israeli and Syrian positions on the eve of the Kissinger trip is too wide, and some authoritative circles are doubting the chances even of a temporary arrangement."

"The same circles are not excluding the possibility that in the near future an Eastern front will be formed by Syria and Iraq, with some form of participation by Jordan, that would become the nucleus of a conflagration that would drag in Egypt."

A commentator in top-circulation independent *Ma'ariv* asserted that Syria, in contrast to Egypt, "has nothing to offer Israel in return for withdrawal..."

"What Syria is promising is to try to influence the Arab oil-producers to lift the embargo.... The only way to ensure the success of the Israeli-Syrian negotiations is not through drawing lines on maps, but in attempting to bring the two parties into direct talks... and only later let the mediators help to conclude an agreement...."

## "USSR Interested, Too"

The independent *Jerusalem Post* stated yesterday that the USSR "is also interested in an Israel-Syria troop disengagement, and there is a real chance that this can be attained..."

"If the Kremlin now believes that disengagement in the north would have to be achieved before Egypt would actually go ahead with opening the Canal, then the Israeli-Syrian talks have an even chance of success, although their progress may not be smooth."

No. 27

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2/27/74

## Moscow Warnings to Arab Audiences

Moscow radio broadcasts to the Arab world continued to warn of sinister motives "Behind the Scenes in the Search for a Middle East Settlement." This was the title of a commentary broadcast yesterday that began with the statement that "Henry Kissinger, U.S. Secretary of State, has started his fourth visit to the Middle East."

The broadcast said that "many Arab newspapers, although welcoming the peaceful efforts exerted at present, draw attention to the fact that certain circles in the U.S. expect to satisfy their own interests through all these efforts" and "regard the present circumstances as an opportunity to consolidate their neo-colonialist positions and to expand them in the Arab countries."

As an example of "blatant interference in the domestic affairs of Arab states," Moscow radio cited the recent visit to Cairo of David Rockefeller: "He defended the idea of providing complete freedom for the activities of private capital in the Egyptian economy. What is intended here is an attack on the revolutionary social and economic changes in the Arab world."

The broadcast asserted that "propaganda launched from overseas is beamed to Arab countries so as to eradicate what has been realized thanks to Arab awareness--that is, that the support of the Soviet Union and that of other socialist countries has been and still is the most important backing for the Arab peoples in their struggle to achieve their legitimate rights and to establish a just and lasting peace in the Middle East."

"How can we fail to recollect here the statements made by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat at a public meeting in Cairo in April, 1970, when he declared that the Soviet Union is a sincere friend of the Arabs, and anyone who doubts the role of the Soviet Union is an enemy to the Arab cause?"

No. 27

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2/27/74

PRESIDENT NIXON'S PRESS CONFERENCE

Summary

Foreign news coverage and comment on President Nixon's Monday night news conference generally emphasized domestic preoccupations.

(See first article today on his references to the oil embargo and Secretary Kissinger's mission to the Middle East.)

West Germany's *Frankfurter Allgemeine*, for example, noted that "he commented in detail on the energy crisis, the gasoline shortage, inflation, economic stagnation" and other domestic issues, "but referred to his favorite peace policy only once," in connection with the expulsion from the Soviet Union of Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

British and Italian reports stressed the President's composure and firmness.

With the exception of Budapest television, Soviet and East European media did not mention his remarks on Solzhenitsyn. However, Moscow TASS said he "warned that attempts at interference in the internal affairs of the Soviet Union would be tantamount to a return to the period of the cold war and confrontation between the Soviet Union and the U.S."

*

*

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West German Headlines

West German papers ran these headlines:

"NIXON PREDICTS REINVIGRATION OF ECONOMY, STRUGGLE AGAINST INFLATION AND ENERGY SHORTAGE"

(Frankfurter Allgemeine)

"NIXON: DETENTE MORE IMPORTANT THAN FATE OF INDIVIDUALS--BUT HE HAS ADMIRATION FOR SOLZHENITSYN"

(Stuttgarter Zeitung)

"NIXON WARNS ARABS ONCE MORE: Oil Boycott Hampers U.S. Peace Efforts"

(Frankfurter Neue Presse)

"NIXON: THERE WILL BE NO IMPEACHMENT"

(Die Welt of Hamburg)

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Right-center *Frankfurter Allgemeine* yesterday deplored the fact that "Nixon, the President who is convinced as were hardly any of his predecessors of the primacy of foreign affairs, is able less than ever to get free of domestic politics...

"The President...again had to devote one of his now-rare press conferences to the bloated complex of Watergate. Yet there were enough new questions confronting Washington, from the status of detente to implementing Middle East policy."

While prospects were for "Watergate without end," the paper continued, "it is not true that this theme, which has become blown up out of all proportion, could simply be declared to be finished business, with the approval of the majority of Americans..."

## "Reflected Resolve"

Today the paper said in its lead story:

"The fact that the President commented on but one foreign policy issue reflects the overriding significance Americans give to domestic affairs at this time.

"He commented in detail on the energy crisis, the gasoline shortage, inflation, economic stagnation, the Watergate investigation and Republican prospects at the polls, but referred to his favorite peace policy once, in connection with the expulsion of Solzhenitsyn. Expressing admiration for Solzhenitsyn, he said his expulsion could not be a reason for the White House to return to a cold war policy...

"His announcement of determined action to overcome the energy shortage and cope with inflation reflected the resolve of a man not thinking of resigning or concerned about impeachment."

## "Detente and Fate of Individuals"

Washington correspondent Juergen Kramer of independent *Stuttgarter Zeitung* reported: "Continuation of the detente policy on a realistic basis must have priority over considerations of the fate of individuals, even if their fate is as moving as that of Solzhenitsyn--this guideline was given by the President in commenting for the first time on Solzhenitsyn's expulsion."

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Also, Kramer noted, "he expressed the hope that the oil embargo will be lifted soon. He combined his assurance that he would not resign with the statement that he does not expect to be impeached."

Washington correspondent Guenther de Thier wrote in pro-Christian Democrat *Rheinische Post* of Duesseldorf that "Nixon believes in progress on the road to lasting peace in the Middle East. On the eve of Kissinger's departure he painted a cautiously optimistic picture of the situation, marked by hope of success for Kissinger's efforts to bring about an Israeli-Syrian disengagement agreement. Although he drew a clear line between peace efforts and the Arab oil embargo, he warned Arab countries that continuation of the embargo might slow down the peace efforts. He obviously is embittered that the Arabs continue the embargo despite earlier promises to the contrary."

## TV Uses Film Clips

West German television ran film clips of the press conference.

### "Realistic to Expect Three More Years"

Left-center *Frankfurter Rundschau*, frequently a sharp critic of Administration policies, maintained that "by West European standards the American President would have been out of office long ago," but it went on to assert that "since Nixon is the top man in the U.S., he can hope with some justification that he will be able to remain in the White House until the end of his term. Nixon has only one major ally left, but a strong one, namely the Constitution of the United States...

"It is definitely realistic to expect that America and the world will have to live for almost three more years with this President, who, with the help of his Secretary of State, is picking up the pieces abroad of the prestige wasted at home."

### "No Mention of Europe"

A regional paper, the *Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung*, was cited by the Cologne radio as pointing out that "for European governments Nixon's press conference was interesting in an additional aspect: One year ago, Washington averred that in formulating the new Atlantic charter, all Europe's interests would be taken into consideration. Last autumn President Nixon's America seemed to be impossible without European security, but yesterday Europe was not mentioned in a single sentence."

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London: "Confident, Composed"

British papers headlined: "Mr. Nixon Does Not Expect to Be Impeached" (<u>Times</u>
of London), "I Stay, Says Nixon" (<u>Daily Telegraph</u>) and "Nixon Defies Them All"
(<u>Daily Express</u>).

Correspondent Simon Winchester of the liberal _Guardian_ reported that the President was "dominating and more confident-looking.... We have heard pledges of survival before. But we have not heard Mr. Nixon place himself so clearly above the interests of his party..."

The _Times'_ Fred Emery said Mr. Nixon, "who sounded tired, nevertheless maintained his composure throughout the 40 minutes of questioning."

Correspondent Angus McDermid said on BBC radio that "President Nixon seemed more composed, and handled the questions more confidently than when he last appeared before the White House press corps."

Rome TV: "Controlled and Firm"

An analyst on state-controlled Italian TV said yesterday that the "President appeared self-controlled and firm. He has no intention of resigning."

A Washington correspondent for the network summarized the speech and emphasized that the President had made statements on Solzhenitsyn and relations with the Soviet Union. He said, "Initial reaction to the press conference is positive."

Government-run Italian radio noted yesterday, "Those who expected something new or some announcement were disappointed."

Independent conservative _Corriere della Sera_ of Milan stated today that the "news conference confirms the already known line of Nixon's strategy to overcome the impeachment crisis, which he intends to avert by stressing his ability as a statesman and his international peace initiatives."

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## French Emphases

Both state-run French television networks yesterday underscored President Nixon's statements that "he will not resign and that he will not be impeached," and said that he was "rather optimistic for himself and also for the U.S."

Commentators concluded that "he has few illusions about the lifting of the oil embargo, which depends on a solution in the Middle East."

## Tel Aviv: "Did Well to Caution Arabs"

Semi-official Davar of Tel Aviv said today that "President Nixon did well...to caution the Arab oil-producing countries that the U.S. will slow down its peace efforts unless they remove the oil embargo...Let us hope that this new tone will advance Secretary Kissinger's efforts in Damascus..."

## Tokyo: Stress on Watergate

Japanese television networks yesterday gave moderate coverage to the news conference, emphasizing Watergate aspects. They said Mr. Nixon had stated that he could be impeached only for a crime and that he did not expect to be impeached. Publicly financed NHK-TV said Mr. Nixon's view on impeachment ran counter to a House Judiciary Committee conclusion.

Fuji-TV reported that the President said he would continue detente negotiations with the Soviet Union and that he admired the courage of Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

## Seoul Treatment

Television in South Korea noted President Nixon's statement that impeachment is not possible without evidence of a criminal act.

## Soviet and East European Emphases

Soviet and East European media yesterday reported President Nixon's Monday night news conference, leading their accounts either with his remarks on the energy crisis and domestic economic prospects or with his declaration of the importance of continuing on a path of negotiation with the Soviet Union rather than confrontation.

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Budapest Alone Mentions Solzhenitsyn...

With the exception of Budapest television, none of the reports mentioned the President's comments on Soviet writer Solzhenitsyn.

The Budapest commentator said:

"Reading the long transcript of President Nixon's press conference, what seems most interesting to me is his answer to a question asked by one of the journalists: 'Mr. President, what is your personal reaction to the expulsion of Alexander Solzhenitsyn from the Soviet Union, and will this influence our policy of negotiations?'"

"In a single sentence, President Nixon declared his respect for Solzhenitsyn, who received the Nobel Prize for his literary work, and added: 'Regarding our relations with the Soviets, we shall continue to negotiate, recognizing the fact that they do not like our system and do not agree with it; neither do I like their system or agree with it. Mr. Brezhnev knows this and I know it, especially since we have quite frankly and plainly discussed it."

"However, it is vitally important for both nations to make further progress in arms reduction, in avoiding conflicts that might culminate in war. In a nutshell, 'the U.S. President continued, 'one must consider: Do we wish to return to the era of Soviet-U.S. confrontation? Do we want to risk the nuclear arms race getting out of control? Do we want more crises? Or do we want to proceed along a path where, while recognizing our differences, we make an effort to recognize the fact that either we go on living with one another or we both die?'"

...But Moscow Notes "Cold War Warning"

The Moscow TASS account datelined Washington led with the energy crisis and rising prices and then turned to Mr. Nixon's remarks on bilateral relations:

"Dwelling on Soviet-American relations, the President warned that attempts at interference in the internal affairs of the Soviet Union would be tantamount to a return to the period of the cold war and confrontation between the Soviet Union and the U.S." TASS carried accurately and in full the statement beginning, "In a nutshell..." and ending, "...we must either live together or we will all die together."

Both this TASS story and a separate pair of dispatches datelined New York and Washington reported without comment the discrepancy between the account of the volume of U.S. oil imports given on Sunday by the Shah of Iran and Mr. Nixon's account of the subject.

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... Western Europe, p. 2 Middle East, p. 12 Communist Countries, p. 16

# KISSINGER IN MIDDLE EAST - III

## Summary

Foreign media gave widespread coverage to Secretary Kissinger's current Middle East peace efforts and generally saw them as contributing substantially to improving the outlook for eventual settlement in the area.

Many observers praised the announced resumption of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Egypt and the Syrian delivery of a PCW list as Mr. Kissinger's prime accomplishments thus far.

-- French Government television considered the results of his first visits in Damascus and Jerusalem "a master stroke" and predicted that "substantial results can now be expected in Geneva."

-- The *Ottawa Citizen* declared that "the road is now clear for disengagement talks on the Syrian front... The Middle East today seems closer to peace than at any time in the past."

-- Tokyo's *Yomiuri* called the restoration of relations "a major advance for America's Middle East policy" and thought it would "promote U.S. peace moves..."

-- The *Straits Times*, Singapore edition, inferred from the "impressive results" of Mr. Kissinger's "fourth whirlwind tour" that "national interest and a firm grasp of realpolitik have replaced in the U.S. an emotionally-oriented special relationship with Israel."

Commentators saw Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko's "unexpected" arrival in the Middle East as a move to keep the USSR from appearing to be eclipsed in Middle East affairs.

The *Frankfurter Allgemeine* suggested that "America's influence has grown as a result of these negotiations and apparently risen above Moscow's threshold of tolerance."

Turin's *La Stampa* concluded that Mr. Kissinger "has been given a free hand by the Kremlin" but that "this time the Soviets do not intend to stand on the outside looking in."

*Haaretz* of Tel Aviv reported "concern in Jerusalem... that Gromyko's visit to Damascus will stiffen the Syrian position and later the Egyptian position."

Soviet media concentrated on coverage of Mr. Gromyko's visit to the area.

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Paris: "Spectacular Success for Kissinger"

French media saw the resumption of U.S. - Egypt diplomatic relations as "a new success" for Secretary Kissinger. His planned visits to Bonn and Brussels were considered significant in connection with the current Franco-German foreign ministers' talks and the EC ministerial meeting opening Monday.

Reporting the renewed U.S. - Egypt ties last evening, Government-run French television's first network remarked that "with Kissinger, each day brings a new surprise," and the second net said that "every day he creates a new dialogue."

In Wednesday evening newscasts, the first network termed Mr. Kissinger's first move between Damascus and Jerusalem "a master stroke... a real diplomatic breakthrough" and predicted:

"Substantial results can now be expected in Geneva."

The second network carried a seven-minute feature on Mr. Kissinger's diplomacy, calling his current mission "another spectacular success for the White House globe-trotter." It described the Secretary as "a diplomat plus something extra. Rather timid and reserved in the beginning, in a few months he succeeded in reconciling the U.S. with China and the Arab world.

"Admired by many, hated by others, he is in any case respected by all. He remains number one in world diplomacy."

"Master Stroke in Egypt"

Pro-Gaullist France-Soir in today's early edition called re-establishment of U.S. - Egyptian relations and announcement of a Nixon trip to Cairo "a master stroke" by Mr. Kissinger, recalling that "only last October Egypt was fighting a bloody war against Israel and the U.S. was waving the threat of nuclear weapons...

"Within a few months, thanks to the talent of Secretary Kissinger, all these images of war have been erased."

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This progress, the paper added, "is also due to the political, economic and military might of the U.S., a power which is repugnant to idealists but which realists bow to.

"Happy and realist Egypt, which has been able to profit from Soviet support to fight the war and from American aid to enjoy the peace!

"Everything is changing now. Russian technicians maintaining the missile launch pads have been succeeded by American businessmen bent on clearing the Suez Canal. Other Americans sign contracts for oil prospecting in Egypt while the U.S. is still under the Arab oil embargo. And all this without Washington's making any commitments other than those already implied in the logical development of the negotiations.

"Last October, after the Israel-Arab conflict, it was asked whether the Egyptians or the Israelis had won the war. Kissinger has provided the answer: It was the Americans who won."

## "USSR Suddenly Reappears"

Middle-of-the-road **Figaro** of Paris yesterday carried a byliner's guess that Secretary Kissinger and President Asad had already begun discussions of disengagement and "future Arab-Israeli global negotiations," since "the two statesmen certainly did not spend six and a half hours merely talking about the prisoner list." He suggested that the two were "getting to know each other" and that the atmosphere was "more and more relaxed."

He observed that the Soviet Union has "suddenly returned to the scene--not, as one might believe, to help Mr. Kissinger...but to bolster the Soviet position in Damascus."

## "Jobert and Then Kissinger to Bonn"

Today's issue of independent-left **Le Monde** carried an editorial noting that only 48 hours after today's scheduled meeting of the French and West German foreign ministers in Bonn, "Mr. Kissinger will arrive in the German capital,"

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and that "on Monday, the French Foreign Minister and the American Secretary of State will both be in Brussels when the Nine discuss their 'Arab policy,' still in the embryo stage and already in very bad shape."

The paper wondered whether, "following the Washington energy conference, the Nine still intend to make a formal proposition to the Arab nations. And if they hold to their proposition, will they be convincing enough in their discussions with the Arabs to achieve real cooperation?

"Mr. Jobert would like to be sure that they will, and that is why he is going to Bonn, because it is clear to all that the divergencies that arose in Washington are less Franco-American or even Franco-European than Franco-German. The European Community will not progress until Paris and Bonn find a common language."

### West German TV: "U.S. Success, Soviet Efforts"

Both West German television networks last night ran film clips with reports of Secretary Kissinger's visit to Cairo and Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko's arrival in Damascus.

The second network said Mr. Kissinger had reached his immediate goal of securing Syrian participation in the Geneva conference following troop disengagement.

Of Soviet and American policy in the Middle East, it said that "until recently, Moscow had left the initiative for a peace settlement to its rivals in Washington-- and not without some fear of an American political success."

"Today in Cairo this success became apparent. Even the Israeli foreign minister acknowledged recently that Sadat was trying to free his country from its unilateral bond with the USSR.

"Thus Sadat wants to establish a good relationship with the U.S. But this requires an agreement with Israel and would weaken the Soviet position in the Middle East--a complete reversal of the situation compared to the period before the October war."

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"Thereby Syria's significance for the USSR becomes clear--
in Damascus, the Soviets are trying to compensate for
expanding U.S. influence in the Middle East by strengthening
Syria for the coming negotiations..."

"A Kissinger-Gromyko Meeting?"

A reporter on the second TV network last night said Mr. Kissinger "must
succeed" in getting the Syrians and the moderate Palestinians to the conference
table in Geneva "because the lifting of the Arab oil embargo is linked with
disengagement on the Golan Heights." He held that Soviet policy was "still
unclear" despite Mr. Gromyko's current visit in the Middle East. Declaring
that the "stars of the Middle East arena are still passing each other in
different orbits," he asserted that a Kissinger-Gromyko meeting was "possible"
as a means of "achieving a reasonable coordination of the superpowers'
policies...

"There are opportunities here for a small step toward peace."

Speculative News Treatment

West German newspapers reported Mr. Kissinger's meeting with President Sadat and spoke of the Secretary's return to Damascus today as "the decisive test" of his mission.

Some papers speculated on a visit to Egypt by President Nixon and a Kissinger-Gromyko meeting in Cairo.

"Meaning of Gromyko Trip"

Independent *Sueddeutsche Zeitung*, Munich, declared today in an editorial
titled "It's Jerusalem's Turn Now" that "it will soon be known how serious
Golda Meir was in calling the Golan Heights an integral part of Israel.

"Washington's sharp reaction... must have made it clear that she cannot count on American support in this matter, despite security considerations.

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"But the Syrian side is also trying to get a fait accompli by asserting that any results are only a part of a general Middle East settlement... The big powers also want to stay in the ball game, and Gromyko's visit is meant to indicate that the whole field has not been abandoned to Kissinger."

## POW List and Syrian-Israeli Relations

Pro-Christian Democratic Muenchner Merkur of Munich judged that Mr. Kissinger's "entire mission has been overshadowed by the hatred that characterizes Israeli-Syrian relations." It asserted that "Jerusalem is sure" that 18 Israeli POWs "met the same fate that befell 42 Israeli soldiers who were found chained and slain after the first days of the war."

"The Israeli people will ask their Government how it can sit at the same conference table with the head of state who murdered prisoners of war."

## "U.S. Influence Has Grown Too Much for Soviets"

An editorial in right-center influential Frankfurter Allgemeine judged that Foreign Minister Gromyko's visit "was obviously improvised." Supposing that the USSR had given tacit support to U.S. peacemaking efforts in the Middle East--"never showing any objection to Kissinger's whirlwind diplomacy"--the paper concluded:

"Nonetheless, Kissinger has improved America's prestige as a big power capable of keeping the interest of all parties in mind. America's influence has grown as a result of these negotiations, and apparently risen above Moscow's threshold of tolerance...

"The Soviet Union wants to be present at the place where three continents intersect, and where the switches can be set that control the flow of oil to the industrial nations."

Pro-Christian Democratic Frankfurter Neue Presse said the USSR "clearly fears that the U.S. will win all the laurels" and therefore decided, in the form of Mr. Gromyko's visit, "to get directly involved in the crisis management of the Middle East..."

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# "Reasons for Kissinger Visit to Bonn"

Papers reported yesterday that Mr. Kissinger would stop off in Bonn and Brussels en route to Washington.

Frankfurter Allgemeine called the decision to meet with Chancellor Brandt in Bonn "a clear indication that Kissinger is interested in reinvigorating the consultation process within NATO and that he has not abandoned hope for redefinition of the Alliance's policies."

Bonn's General-Anzeiger said his meeting with EC Chairman Scheel would provide the opportunity to determine the Nine's wishes to participate in a peace settlement in the Middle East.

Left-center Frankfurter Rundschau said Mr. Kissinger's visit to Bonn "must first be understood as a gesture" of acknowledgment "for the FRG's stand for close teamwork with the U.S. on energy matters and for tacitly accepting at least a dram of American leadership....

> "It remains true that there is considerable identity of interest between Bonn and Washington, not only in security affairs. And it is also true that Kissinger has no interest in isolating France. This duality is not easy to bear, but Bonn must try to do so, even if there will be rough going today in the talks with Foreign Minister Jobert."

## West Berlin: "Importance to Sadat of Syrian-Israeli Understanding"

Independent Tagesspiegel of West Berlin remarked today that Mr. Kissinger's "blitz visits to Damascus, Jerusalem and Cairo are a living example of how significant it can be in politics to create an atmosphere."

While acknowledging the difficulties posed by the Israel-Syrian differences over the Golan Heights, the paper declared that President Sadat had become "an advocate of Syrian-Israeli understanding because only success in that matter can enlarge the political breakthrough which Cairo has achieved by its efforts toward that understanding.

> "Syria, too, has an important role to play for the further restoration of peace. The Soviet Foreign Minister has also

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reportedly emphasized in Damascus that Syria will have to
make some concessions to Israel.

"Gromyko has joined in the Middle East game lest the field be left entirely to his dynamic American colleague, Kissinger. The U.S., however, has the advantage of good relations with both sides. It would therefore not be a surprise if the USSR tried to catch up by resuming relations with Israel."

Hazards of "Game Plan" for Kissinger

The paper also ran Hans B. Meyer's report from Washington asserting that Secretary Kissinger had originally not wanted to undertake the Middle East mission, but that he had been persuaded by President Sadat, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister and the Syrian representative, who indicated that Syria was ready to negotiate. "Meanwhile," he said, "President Nixon had caught himself up in his oil trap."

"The optimistic game plan was that the Egyptians and Saudis would influence the Syrians, Kissinger would do his part in Israel, and the Arabs would agree to end the oil embargo. But the end of the oil embargo had been expected earlier, and it is still going on. Kissinger does not want to find himself maneuvered into a mission in which the Arabs see him as the executor of demands he cannot fulfill without leaving Israel in the lurch or in jeopardy."

London: "Arabs See Whole New Situation"

The independent London *Financial Times* today carried the observation of a correspondent in Beirut that "a successful mission by Dr. Kissinger in bringing about a disengagement of Syrian and Israeli forces on the Golan Heights would create a whole new situation in the Middle East that would be conducive to easing tensions, lifting the Arab oil embargo against the U.S. and bringing the Palestinians into the fold of a settlement. This, in summary, is the Arab reaction so far to the fact that Dr. Kissinger has been able to secure the list of Israeli prisoners from Syria."

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Yesterday the paper carried a byliner's view that "diplomatic circles" believed Mr. Kissinger "must have given President Asad a solemn assurance about his ability to obtain some kind of Israeli commitment about withdrawal, either as part of an initial disengagement or of an eventual settlement."

## "Sadat's Praise Most Significant"

A Beirut correspondent asserted today in the liberal *Guardian* of Manchester and London that "more significant than the expected resumption of full-scale diplomatic relations between Egypt and the U.S. is the praise which Sadat heaped on 'his friend,' Dr. Kissinger... He is pinning his colors to the masthead of his 'pro-American' policies."

## "Trust and Admiration"

BBC radio and television gave extensive coverage to Mr. Kissinger's current mission. Its Middle East correspondent, reporting Wednesday evening on the Secretary's first Damascus stop, remarked:

"Dr. Kissinger's wooing of Egypt was, by comparison, easy; Syria is isolated, even within the Arab world. His very visit is a tribute to his diplomatic wizardry.

"The spade work has been done. Soviet and Arab persuasion of Syria, American cajoling of Israel, paved the way for another step towards an overall Middle East settlement--a very small but very vital step. It just needed a final public push from Dr. Kissinger...

"Deep suspicion of the Jewish Secretary of State... has given way to trust and admiration."

## Rome TV: "Gromyko Trip May Be Helping"

State-controlled Italian television, reporting the resumption of U.S.-Egyptian diplomatic relations, said last night Mr. Kissinger had "expressed optimism about present disengagement negotiations, which seem to be proceeding well because of his decisive support and possibly also because of Gromyko's visit to Damascus."

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Government-run radio said this morning that President Nixon would visit Cairo next month "as a result of the talks between Kissinger and Sadat."

A commentator said that Mr. Kissinger "apparently persuaded the Syrians to accept negotiation for a fast Golan disengagement." He said al-Ahram of Cairo had reported that "Podgorny will also be visiting Egypt. This," he concluded, "confirms that the Soviet Union is likewise working toward a solution in the Middle East."

"Given a Free Hand by the Kremlin?"

Center-left La Stampa of Turin today carried a Beirut correspondent's report that "thus far, Russia has adopted a wait-and-see attitude."

"Kissinger has been able to carry out his moves in a manner indicating that he has been given a free hand by the Kremlin.... However, the game has now become much more difficult and complex than the one between Egypt and Israel. This time the Soviets do not intend to stand on the outside looking in."

"Imminent Israeli-USSR Rapprochement?"

Socialist Avanti of Rome observed this morning:

"The simultaneous presence of Gromyko and Kissinger in the Middle East leads one to believe that the negotiations are in the final stage where both the U.S. and the USSR must offer guarantees to their respective allies. A return to normal relations with Cairo after a lapse of six years is not only a success for Kissinger but also symptomatic of something changing in the Middle East."

"There are rumors in Damascus of an imminent Israeli-USSR rapprochement on the diplomatic level following disengagement at Golan Heights."

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Ottawa: "POW List Breaks Stalemate"

Ottawa's independent liberal *Citizen* last evening judged that "the real significance of the success of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in securing a list from the Syrians of Israeli prisoners they hold is that it breaks a dangerous stalemate and paves the way for progress toward a peaceful settlement.

"The road is now clear for disengagement talks on the Syrian front. Should they succeed, the substantive talks in Geneva between the Israelis and the Arabs could then resume...

"The Middle East today seems closer to peace than at any time in the past. The 1967 war convinced the Arabs that Israel is there to stay. The 1973 war may have convinced the Israelis that they can never be secure if they rely on military might and captured territory."

Tokyo TV: "A Noteworthy Event"

Japan's publicly financed NHK-TV said the restoration of U.S. -Egyptian relations "is noteworthy because it came amid positive U.S. efforts to establish peace in the Middle East..."

"Relations Next With Libya and Algeria?"

Papers front-paged reports of the event by Washington correspondents. Independent *Yomiuri*, second-largest paper in Japan, called the restoration of relations "a major advance for America's Middle East policy" and said it was "expected to promote U.S. peace moves in the Middle East." The paper added:

"The normalization move is expected to serve as a first step toward restoration of U.S. diplomatic relations with Libya and Algeria."

It judged that the U.S. "hopes that the resumption of U.S. - Egypt ties will be a factor toward removal of the Arab oil embargo."

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"Libya Accepting Political Solution"

Business-oriented *Nihon Keizai* of Tokyo said yesterday that Libya had switched to a moderate stance of accepting a "political solution." It added:

"It appears that Iraq and the radical guerrillas supporting the Iraqi Government are the only forces in the Arab world which oppose the Sadat-Faisal policy stand."

Singapore: "Kissinger Not a Lone Agent"

The Singapore edition of the conservative *Straits Times* declared today that "Dr. Henry Kissinger's fourth whirlwind tour of the Middle East has already yielded impressive results."

Noting that "a few months ago the U.S. was bad news in Arab capitals," the paper listed breakthroughs achieved by the U.S. since that time. It asserted:

"Dr. Kissinger's personal flair for the art of negotiation no doubt played an important part in making all this possible. But Dr. Kissinger is not a lone agent. He speaks for his Government.

"Arab willingness to cooperate with Dr. Kissinger and to keep his initiatives moving is part of a response to America's new Middle East policy. National interest and a firm grasp of realpolitik have replaced in the U.S. an emotionally-oriented special relationship with Israel."

Tel Aviv: "Gromyko's Visits Cause Concern"

Independent influential *Haaretz* of Tel Aviv reported yesterday that Mr. Gromyko's "sudden visits to Syria and Egypt are causing concern in Jerusalem...

"Observers believe that the Soviets want to make sure that Moscow is included actively in the negotiations... Generally, the observers are concerned that Gromyko's visit to Damascus will stiffen the Syrian position and later the Egyptian position.... Despite the denials, observers do not rule out the possibility of a Kissinger-Gromyko meeting in Damascus or Cairo to discuss the problems of troop disengagement on the Syrian front...."

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The independent *Jerusalem Post* said that "what is essential" in the discussion of troop disengagement "is a good deal of patience and firmness of purpose which will make it possible not to reward Syrian extremism but permit the mutual interest in disengagement to evolve into an agreement."

## "Persistence Pays Off"

A commentator in independent *Yediot Aharonot* declared that Mr. Kissinger's "political and humanitarian success brings out a number of important points...

"The fact that the Syrians delivered the list of Israeli POWs without an Israeli commitment to withdraw proves that persistence pays off in issues that enjoy wide international support....

"The most difficult test of Kissinger's policy will occur, however, after he returns to the area, because the direct Syrian-Israeli talks under U.N. auspices will have hit an impasse. He will have to break that deadlock, and that will not be an easy task."

Israeli newspapers expressed joy over receiving the list of POWs and gratitude to Mr. Kissinger for obtaining it.

## Baghdad: Habash on Kissinger "Plot"

The Iraqi News Agency yesterday reported the departure from Baghdad of Dr. Georges Habash, Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, at the end of his conferences with leaders of the Ba'ath Party on "the serious situation in the Arab area." It stated:

"Dr. Habash said the gravity of the situation stems from the treacherous, capitulationist and imperialist plot which U.S. Secretary of State Kissinger is trying to implement in our homeland...."

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Cairo Radio: Sadat on Restoring Relations

Cairo radio, before broadcasting the official announcement of restoration of
relations between Egypt and the U.S., yesterday reported that Mr. Sadat had met
with Secretary Kissinger for five hours at the Pyramids resthouse, "after which
the President answered journalists' questions...

"President Anwar Sadat said he would like to thank Dr. Kissinger for his efforts and he considers that the U.S. has a new stand based on good will, something which has paved the way for the restoration of relations between Egypt and the U.S. The President said the presence of Dr. Kissinger in the area reveals the U.S. intention for a settlement and, accordingly, relations between our two countries have been restored."

The radio quoted Mr. Sadat as saying that "Cairo will witness this year the visit of U.S. President Nixon and Chancellor Willy Brandt," and also that President Sadat would meet with Foreign Minister Gromyko on Saturday.

It quoted Mr. Sadat as saying that "aspects of cooperation between Egypt and the U.S.... have not yet been defined, although there is specific cooperation as far as the clearing of the Suez Canal is concerned, which requires certain technical expertise available from the U.S."

"U.S. Realizes Pre-October Situation Cannot Continue"

Today the radio reported that mass-appeal daily al-Akhbar of Cairo "believes that the U.S. has realized, as many U.S. officials have said, that the situation which existed in the Middle East before October 1973 cannot last and that the state of no-war, no-peace and the Israeli occupation of Arab territories cannot continue.

"With this realization the U.S. has moved to participate in the settlement of the Middle East crisis. This has paved the way for resumption of diplomatic relations..."

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## Editor Cites Kissinger Sentiments

Cairo's Middle East News Agency reported that chief editor Ali Amin of semi-official al-Ahram wrote today that "it is now possible for us to say that the crisis of confidence between Cairo and Washington ended yesterday.... On his return from the Saqqarah pyramid, U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Kissinger said: 'I have told President Sadat I am prepared to fly to Cairo at any time he sets, because I take pleasure in meeting with him at every opportunity.... I am happy to state today that a new era has begun in relations between my country and Egypt. First credit in this respect goes to President Anwar Sadat'..."

## "Egypt's Role at the Crossroads"

The news agency quoted the paper as saying today in an editorial on the Kissinger and Gromyko visits to Cairo:

> "These two visits are a clear expression of the position of Egypt as the meeting point of all roads to find the much sought after solution of the Middle East crisis...."

> "Egypt is anxious to exploit the readiness of the whole world to speed up the solution so the Middle East region will become an area of peace and will be able to play its role for the sake of all humanity at the crossroad of the continents."

## Nairobi: "World's Debt to Kissinger"

The Daily Nation of Nairobi declared today that Mr. Kissinger's success in Damascus would "pave the way" for a resumption of the Geneva conference and that "only minor details" remained to be worked out for troop disengagement on the Golan Heights. It concluded:

> "It matters not if this development has come about as a result of Kissinger's charisma... or his remarkable success as a catalyst, or because his presence on the scene has enabled each side to save face.

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"What matters is that something that everybody had said would not and could not happen has in fact come about. A major lesson is that negotiation can almost always be counted on to lead to rapprochement... It has certainly brought peace nearer in the Middle East, Kissinger or no Kissinger, although it is conceded on all sides that the world owes him a debt of gratitude."

## Blantyre: "What Kissinger May Tell Syrians"

The Malawi Times of Blantyre on Wednesday called attention to President Nixon's press conference remark that the U.S. might play a lesser role in the search for a settlement of the Middle East issues, judging that this made it "obvious that the U.S. is weary of the previous Arab hints, which have never been carried out into action, that the oil embargo would be lifted in return for American good offices in the Middle East.

"This time it appears that the U.S. wants action, not words. And this is what Henry Kissinger may spell out in his visit to Syria."

## Moscow: Focus on Gromyko Visits

Soviet media treatment of the Middle East focused on Foreign Minister Gromyko's visit to Damascus and Cairo to the virtual exclusion of other news from the area.

(Moscow TASS carried a brief item from Washington on Wednesday on the White House announcement that the Syrian Government had agreed to turn over Israeli POW lists through Mr. Kissinger, but news of the Secretary's talks in Cairo and announcement of resumption of U.S.-Egyptian relations have not yet been reported.)

A TASS dispatch from Damascus yesterday carried an account of Gromyko's speech at a luncheon hosted by the Syrian Foreign Minister in which the Soviet official apparently made two major points: The Soviet Union is the long-standing, constant and reliable supporter of the Arab cause; the "new conditions" in the Middle East require even greater attention to Arab unity and coordination, for "the opponents of a just and lasting peace both in Israel and beyond it" hope that "by various maneuvers and tricks they will manage to split the Arabs."

Peking NCNA reported without comment from Cairo yesterday that the Governments of Egypt and the U.S. have agreed to resume diplomatic relations.

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Western Europe, p. 2

Middle East, p. 10

USSR, p. 12

KISSINGER IN MIDDLE EAST - IV

Summary

West European media saw the prospect of Syrian-Israeli indirect talks in Washington as capping a moderately successful Middle East trip for Secretary Kissinger.

--The London Sunday Telegraph said "the biggest hurdle has...been cleared--to get talks started in the first place."

--Milan's Corriere della Sera saw "good prospects for disengagement at the Golan Heights," smoothing the way for negotiating a "wider agreement to be reached in Geneva."

In the background of much comment was speculation about the concurrent Middle East travels of Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko.

The London Sunday Times said "Russia's fears about being upstaged by the U.S. in the current Middle East peace negotiations!" accounted for the Gromyko-Sadat talks in Cairo.

Munich's Sueddeutsche Zeitung took it as "an unfavorable omen" that Secretary Kissinger and Mr. Gromyko had not met while both were in the Middle East.

Tel Aviv's Yediot Aharonot suggested that "it is doubtful that at this stage Gromyko will attempt to sabotage Kissinger's efforts.... Gromyko wants to see the Syrians go to Geneva..."

Cairo radio told home audiences that "it is natural for contacts with the USSR to be one aspect of the activities carried out by Arab diplomacy..."

Observers remarking on Mr. Kissinger's visits to Bonn yesterday and Brussels today stressed the continuing disunity of the European partners. Figaro of Paris said his presence in Brussels as the EC foreign ministers meet "will train the spotlight on the rift" in the Community.

Moscow's Pravda said Mr. Gromyko's Middle East trip was a concrete manifestation of socialist "solidarity...with the Arab peoples." A Moscow radio panelist complained that Secretary Kissinger was being credited by the Western press with "bringing about a settlement...through personal diplomacy."

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London: "Limited Success" But Embargo Continues

British media over the weekend found reason for satisfaction in the "limited success" of Secretary Kissinger's latest Middle East mediation effort.

The independent London *Financial Times* today carried the report of a correspondent in Beirut that the Secretary "has not been able to persuade King Feisal... to lift immediately the oil embargo against the U.S. despite what Dr. Kissinger has described as progress so far" in Arab-Israeli disengagement.

The correspondent credited to "diplomatic sources in Beirut" a report that "the Saudi monarch told Dr. Kissinger... that cancellation of the ban would follow an actual agreement on Syrian-Israeli disengagement."

"Reason to Be Satisfied"

London's conservative *Daily Telegraph* said today in an editorial that although Mr. Kissinger "achieved only limited success in his efforts to secure a disengagement of Syrian and Israeli forces... in view of the difficult nature of his mission, he has reason to be reasonably satisfied with the progress made."

The paper judged that Mr. Kissinger seemed to have "made a good impression in Damascus and to remain on excellent terms with President Sadat." It concluded:

"The main disappointment in Dr. Kissinger's tour was his apparent failure once again to persuade King Feisal to lift the oil boycott."

On Saturday the paper noted that the Secretary would be in Brussels today "and no doubt hopes to learn from the Foreign Secretary... what he can expect of London in the next few months" in light of "the precarious balance in the new Parliament."

It concluded that "the Secretary of State's much-deferred hope of achieving a new relationship between America and her European allies must probably be further deferred."

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# "Hide-and-Seek at Brussels?"

Of the Secretary's visit to Brussels the liberal *Guardian* of Manchester and London said today, "Given the highly sensitive condition of Atlantic relations these days, he is unlikely to come into contact with foreign ministers of the Nine.

"It is rather like a game of ministerial hide-and-seek."

The paper asserted that "it is now the job of Herr Scheel... to try to persuade Dr. Kissinger not to 'sabotage' the Community's own diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East..."

"Dr. Kissinger must now be fully aware of the difficulties in having constructive talks with his European counterparts."

# "Syrian-Israeli Talks No Mean Achievement"

The independent London Sunday *Observer* carried the judgment of a correspondent in Damascus that "Dr. Kissinger has had less than his usual success in the Middle East, but serious and substantive negotiations between Syria and Israel are now under way and that is no mean achievement..."

"One of the basic problems is that Dr. Kissinger likes taking one step at a time, while the Syrians have their eyes focused on the far horizon."

The correspondent reported that "the Arab oil embargo on the U.S. remains, and will continue, Sheikh Yamani assured me ten days ago in Riyadh, until a Syrian-Israeli disengagement is signed."

# "Starting Talks Was Biggest Hurdle"

The conservative London Sunday *Telegraph* considered that "no one need be unduly concerned about the fact that the first disengagement formula put forward has been rejected by Damascus. The Golan frontier problem has always been recognized as even more difficult than Suez, and the Syrians as far more intracatable than the Egyptians."

"But the biggest hurdle has already been cleared--to get talks started in the first place. The almost universal pressure for peace should eventually help to flatten the lesser obstacles ahead."

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# "Soviet Fears Being Upstaged"

The independent London Sunday Times said "Russia's fears about being upstaged by the U.S. in the current Middle East peace negotiations provide the background for the talks in Cairo yesterday between President Sadat and the Soviet Foreign Minister, Andrei Gromyko."

It headed the story: "Gromyko Launches Can-I-Help-You Talks in Cairo."

# Rome TV: "Syria and Israel Will Negotiate"

State-controlled Italian TV judged last night that Mr. Kissinger's Middle East "mission was not entirely successful" but that the Secretary "does not leave empty-handed" since the "negotiations will continue in Washington, with the Syrian and Israeli delegations negotiating separately."

# "Nixon to Syria?"

A writer in independent conservative Corriere della Sera of Milan on Saturday saw "good prospects for disengagement at the Golan Heights" which would "avoid more fighting during negotiations" for a "wider agreement to be reached in Geneva.

"It is also reported that if the talks are successful, Syria will probably resume diplomatic relations with the U.S. and President Nixon will include Syria in his trip to the Middle East during the second half of this year."

# "Expectation of Solution Under U.S.-USSR Supervision"

Independent conservative Il Messaggero of Rome carried an unsigned story from Riyadh on Sunday asserting that "the meeting between Kissinger and King Feisal confirms that the road to peace in the Middle East passes through Saudi Arabia."

The paper declared that while "scant progress has been attained thus far, Kissinger did achieve two important psychological results in securing the Israeli POW list and arranging for 'indirect' talks in Washington between Damascus and Tel Aviv...

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"There is a widespread feeling that a 'total' solution to the issue of the Middle East will be reached under U.S.-USSR supervision."

"Nixon to Brussels Next Month?"

A Brussels correspondent for the paper reported today that "some observers say Kissinger's visit to Brussels may be linked to a preparatory meeting of EEC foreign ministers on the subject of a possible European-Arab energy conference this fall."

"It is rumored that Kissinger aims to exert psychological pressure on the Nine to keep them from carrying out independent initiatives with the Arab world..."

"In the course of his NATO talks, Kissinger may also be preparing for the President's trip to Brussels which, White House sources say, will probably take place during the latter part of next month."

## West German TV Treatment

West German television interviewed Secretary Kissinger on his arrival yesterday in Bonn. Both networks showed film clips of Mr. Kissinger's last stops in the Middle East and of USSR Foreign Minister Gromyko in Damascus.

A Middle East correspondent of the first network asserted Saturday in a report from Amman that the U.S. and the USSR "agree that the Palestinian state shall be located on the western bank of the River Jordan."

He said "Henry Kissinger rates Hussein's chances as small...his only hope is to win over some of the Palestinian leaders to agree to some kind of economic confederation..."

Several papers today cited Mr. Kissinger's success in obtaining Syrian agreement to negotiate with Israel in Washington.

"Kissinger Talks in Europe Show He Has Learned"

A byliner in right-center *Die Welt* of Hamburg declared that "French President Pompidou's ears must have burned as he was the subject of Kissinger's and Scheel's talks.... Both Kissinger and Scheel, who hold France in high esteem, have reductantly acknowledged the contradictions of French foreign and defense policies."

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Surely they agreed that nothing could be a falser move than to try to put the thumb-
screws on France.

"All very well, but then what? Wait for a better domestic climate in France, and subsequently a better climate for foreign policy, and meanwhile keep going?

"It is odd that the French, who more than any other European government were deeply indignant last fall because they had not been consulted by the U.S., eye Kissinger's efforts with grave mistrust. His consultative and informative talks, first in London, now in Bonn and later in Brussels, show that Kissinger has learned something from the mixup last fall."

## Nixon to Brussels Only?

Some papers, including right-center Frankfurter Allgemeine in a front-page report today, speculated that President Nixon's planned trip to Europe might be restricted to a visit to Brussels to sign the declaration of principles of Atlantic cooperation.

## "Bonn Visit a Positive Response"

Independent Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich saw the Bonn visit as "Washington's positive response to the allies' need to be consulted on important matters that, in this case, affect Europe's energy supply." The paper said that Mr. Kissinger would discuss the Atlantic declarations with the NATO allies in the Brussels meeting, and their signature would "provide something concrete as an occasion for President Nixon's visit to Europe."

## "Hasty Visits Raise Questions"

Pro-Christian Democratic Bonner Rundschau said Mr. Kissinger's "hasty visits" to Bonn and Brussels "raise the question of how he reads Europe's pulse....

"Henry Kissinger has a sharp eye for a crisis. He is seeking answers to Washington's questions about its European allies: Just how fit is Europe as a member of this Alliance? How capable is this Europe of a dialogue with America? What weight can Europe swing in the Middle East? How can it formulate a new Mediterranean policy?...

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> "...As for Jobert's visit to Bonn at almost the same time as Kissinger's, its significance lies in the fact that despite all the differences that are so irritating... France and the FRG are the most stable states in Europe. The tragedy is that they are furthest apart in their respective assessments of future relations with America."

### "Ominous That Kissinger and Gromyko Did Not Meet"

Independent *Sueddeutsche Zeitung* maintained that it was "an unfavorable omen," indicating sharpened American-Soviet rivalry, that Secretary Kissinger and Foreign Minister Gromyko did not consult during Mr. Kissinger's Middle East trip. It held that Cairo should "apportion fair shares" in the clearing operations of the Suez Canal to the U.S. and the USSR in view of the interest of both super-powers in access to the Indian Ocean. It concluded:

> "As far as the Israel-Syria negotiations about the Golan Heights are concerned... Kissinger has held to his role as mediator in that he made Washington the scene of the talks. But one must first find out whether President Asad's rejection of Israel's first, and astonishingly positive, proposals is only Syria's negotiating tactic or whether it betrays a Soviet foot in the door..."

### "Small Steps, Big Obstacles"

A byliner in Cologne's *Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger* concluded that "the toughest problems remain" despite Mr. Kissinger's successes on his Middle East trip:

> "No one can blink the fact that these first steps were small and that the biggest obstacles still lie ahead--particularly the status of East Jerusalem and the future of the Palestinians. Nonetheless, Israel may look to the future with more hope than ever before..."

### West Berlin: "Bonn Visit Could Anger France"

Independent *Tagesspiegel* of West Berlin said today that Mr. Kissinger's visit to Bonn was "not unwelcome but inconvenient" since it could be viewed as "aimed at France, which, to put it mildly, did not play a very constructive role at the energy conference in Washington.

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"Such an interpretation would be very unpleasant because the FRG, and mainly its Foreign Minister Scheel, are very interested in not angering France, for that would have a negative effect on the EEC, already haunted by problems...."

Pro-Social Democratic Spandauer Volksblatt saw the Bonn visit as "positive" but suggested that Mr. Kissinger, "who is fully occupied with Middle East matters, will probably leave Bonn with the feeling that he would be wasting his energy if he became very active in Western Europe at this time," a reference to the weak positions of the major Alliance governments. The paper judged that Mr. Kissinger would "not get the answers to his questions," which it said were on East-West relations, "but mainly on the development of the EEC and its relations with the U.S."

## Paris: "Kissinger Will Find a Divided Europe"

French media commenting on today's European Community meeting in Brussels and Secretary Kissinger's presence there stressed that--as byliner Edmond Bergheaud put it in pro-Gaullist France-Soir--"it is a divided and impotent Europe that Henry Kissinger will find in Brussels."

In middle-of-the-road Figaro of Paris, a commentator remarked that Mr. Kissinger's visit to Brussels, "where he will be able to see some of the ministers but not others, will train the spotlight on the rift" in the European Community.

## "Kissinger Has Never Threatened Us"

Another byliner, writing on "Henry Kissinger, The Merchant of Peace," said he "doesn't just travel a lot and put out a lot of effort, but also gets results.

"Even in Vietnam, where the imperfect peace brought criticism of Mr. Kissinger's Nobel Prize, it must be considered great progress that men now kill each other in violation of the rules, whereas before they killed each other in conforming to the rules."

The writer conceded that Mr. Kissinger's effectiveness might be due in part to the fact that he represents a superpower, "but it is also true...that he has never brandished the weapon of an American threat and that he has never subtly alluded--as Bulganim once did with us--to the power of atomic missiles...

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"I firmly believe that Mr. Kissinger deserves the praise he receives and that his detractors and adversaries show more jealousy than logic."

## "Europe's Drift Continues"

Financial _Les Echos_ of Paris noted that today's agenda at Brussels included relations between the U.S. and Europe, problems of East-West security and cooperation, and the Middle East and relations with the Arab world. It commented:

"It is out of the question to suppose that a common EC policy can be arrived at on the first two points, except perhaps a limited understanding regarding the CSCE, which is dragging along in Geneva. Furthermore, it is not even certain that the Germans, tormented by the Atlantic sirens, will still agree to participate in the Arab-European conference that France advocates.

"The drift that Europe floated into after the Washington energy conference continues."

## "Kissinger Uses Our Lack of Cohesion"

Independent-left _Combat_ of Paris considered the EC ministers' meeting "premature" because "the cost of France's action in Washington continues to be felt." The paper declared that "the psychological atmosphere is not favorable to reconciliation, especially since the quarrel revolves specifically about the two main topics on today's agenda: relations with the U.S. and relations with the Arab world.

"As for finding Mr. Kissinger in the wings, France will see in that one more reason for indignation and her partners will be embarrassed...

"Mr. Kissinger says he is sorry about Europe's lack of cohesion, but he seems quite ready to use it to his own advantage."

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Indonesia Welcomes U.S.-Egypt Agreement

Jakarta radio said on Saturday, "Indonesia welcomes the restoration of diplomatic relations between Egypt and the U.S." It quoted a Foreign Affairs Department spokesman as saying the resumption of relations "has restored the balance of the major powers in the Middle East, particularly in Egypt."

Pakistan: "Sadat Sees U.S. as Key to Peace"

The pro-Government *Pakistan Times* of Lahore remarked that "President Sadat has described resumption of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Egypt as the beginning of a new era..." It observed:

"His hope must have a basis. He has long been convinced that the key to the Middle East conflict is in Washington... Soon after coming to power he began to try friendly persuasion on the Americans to adopt a more reasonable and active role in the resolution of the crisis."

Tel Aviv: "What Did Gromyko Say to Syrians?"

Independent *Yediot Aharonot* of Tel Aviv commented that "troop separation talks on the northern front will assume the form of 'proximity talks'" in Washington. It said, "Kissinger will remain on top of these talks," and added:

"What remains unknown is Gromyko's advice to the Syrians... Gromyko is undoubtedly concerned about the increased popularity of Kissinger in the region... However, it is doubtful that at this stage Gromyko will attempt to sabotage Kissinger's efforts... Gromyko wants to see the Syrians go to Geneva..."

"Focal Point of Washington Talks"

A Washington correspondent reported in semi-official *Davar* that "the Americans presume that the Government of Israel is prepared to consider a withdrawal from some areas in the Golan Heights occupied in 1967 on condition that the Syrians will not enter these evacuated areas. It therefore seems that the problem of Quneitra will be the focal item to be discussed in the course of the 'proximity talks' in Washington."

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The correspondent also speculated:

> "Sadat is the basis on which the Americans want to build their return to an active role in the Arab world... Sadat, and not Feisal, will get U.S. support for leadership of the Arab world... U.S. promotion of Middle East talks is just a means toward this end."

This circumstance, he continued, was not necessarily bad for Israel, which "can expect durable peace agreements only when the U.S. enjoys influence in the Arab world." He concluded:

> "All in all, it seems that Israel is becoming a marginal element in the complex of U.S. interests in the Middle East."

## "Caution About Disengagement"

Independent, influential Haaretz, writing on the ministers' report to the Israeli cabinet regarding disengagement on the Syrian front, declared that "the general tone was one of...cautious optimism. Dayan analyzed Israeli-Syrian interests in disengagement and concluded that there is a basis for negotiations." It added:

> "One of the principles of the disengagement accord will be on the range of artillery. Israel will insist that the agreement provide for a situation in which the Syrian artillery cannot hit Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights and the Israeli artillery cannot hit Syrian villages."

The Jerusalem radio said the paper assumed that Damascus' willingness to hold talks in Washington indicates that it is moving closer to Cairo's position. However, the paper reportedly believed that locating the talks in Washington did not necessarily insure an early softening in the Syrian position.

## Cairo: "Two Reasons for Contacts With USSR"

Radio Cairo's domestic service yesterday summarized an editorial in sensationalist al-Akhbar saying President Sadat's conferences with Foreign Minister Gromyko "came within the framework of the continuous contacts to exchange views between Egypt and the USSR.

> "These contacts are dictated by the deep friendship binding the two countries.... The talks have a special importance at this

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time. Arab diplomacy, in the forefront of which is Egyptian
diplomacy, is carrying out intensive activity at various levels
to guarantee continuing movement toward a settlement of the
Middle East crisis on the basis of the withdrawal of Israeli
forces from all occupied Arab territory, and in order to prevent
the situation from returning to the state of no war, no peace....

"It is natural for contacts with the USSR to be one aspect of the activities carried out by Arab diplomacy for two fundamental reasons. First, the USSR is the great power that strongly supports Arab rights and provides the Arab struggle to liberate the occupied territories and wrest the usurped rights with military and political help. Second, the USSR, together with the U.S., submitted the draft cease-fire resolution..."

Cairo media gave prominent attention to Mr. Gromyko's activities.

## Report From Kuwait on the Embargo

The Government-controlled Middle East News Agency yesterday reported from Kuwait that Prime Minister as-Sabah stated after a cabinet meeting that the question of lifting the oil embargo against the U.S. "might be discussed" at the coming meeting of the Arab oil ministers in Tripoli, but that "for the present, nothing new has evolved in this matter."

## Moscow: Gromyko Trip Shows "Solidarity"

Soviet media devoted substantial coverage to the Middle East, emphasizing the significance of Foreign Minister Gromyko's current visit there as a concrete manifestation of "the effective solidarity of the Soviet Union and the rest of the socialist countries with the Arab peoples" (Moscow radio in Arabic on Saturday, quoting Pravda).

## A Complaint About "Personal Diplomacy"

A rare mention of Secretary Kissinger's activities in the same area appeared in the following explanation of "what is happening in the Middle East at the moment" offered by a commentator on Moscow radio's weekly panel show yesterday, "International Observers' Roundtable":

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"As you know, comrade listeners, in addition to the Soviet Foreign Minister, U.S. Secretary of State Kissinger is in the Middle East. He is shuttling between the capitals of the individual Middle East states. As a result of these trips, he has managed to inform the opposing sides of each other's opinion and, as the Western press stresses, to bring these opinions closer together.

"The Western press generally emphasizes now that Kissinger has brought or is bringing about a settlement more or less through personal diplomacy, as they say--by acting independently in spite of everything, by a maximum personal contribution.

"I would not agree with such a conclusion. The point is that the success of the mission of any U.S. statesman in the Middle East, including Kissinger, depends directly on the preparatory work which was done, and particularly on the active policy of the Soviet Union--not just particularly, but especially on the active policy of the Soviet Union.

"Only as a result of this policy was it possible, for example, to link the Middle East cease-fire in October with the beginning of the Geneva conference. Only as a result of the active policy of the Soviet Union was it possible to link the beginning of the Geneva conference with the decision on the disengagement of Egyptian and Israeli forces in the Sinai."

## Arabic Broadcast Discounts Troop Disengagement

Attacks on U.S. Middle East aims continued in Moscow radio broadcasts to the Arab world. On Saturday a commentator discounted the significance of the Israeli-Egyptian disengagement agreement, warning that "it would be wrong to believe that the struggle to achieve a durable peace in the Middle East and to consolidate the national independence of the Arab states has fulfilled all its goals."

"This is because enemies of a just and lasting peace in Israel and their protectors are striving to keep the occupied Arab territories. They hope to achieve success by means of various maneuvers aimed at dividing the Arab ranks, breaking up Arab unity and creating disputes between the Arabs and their friends."

"It seems that the Israeli policy directed at achieving those aims is receiving support from imperialist circles in the U.S. It is no coincidence that it has been officially announced in Tel Aviv, as Reuter reported, that the U.S. has assured Israel of continued support and protection of Israeli interests in the Middle East."

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