Recognition Of Israel Denied

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31726, 9 July 1968, Page 13

Recognition Of Israel Denied

(N.Z.PA.-Reuter—Copyright) CAIRO, July 8. Egypt will not give Israel diplomatic recognition or sign a peace treaty with her, an official spokesman said in Cairo.

A Government spokesman, Mr Mohammed El Zayyat, was commenting last night on a recent statement by the Foreign Minister (Mr Mahmoud Riad) that Egypt accepted Israel’s existence. Mr Zayyat said Mr Riad's remarks, made in Copenhagen last week, did not mean Egypt was ready to accept diplomatic links with the Jewish State. He said Mr Riad’s comment that Egypt was ready to accept a United Nations force on its soil if considered necessary by the world body did not represent any new Egyptian policy. The Government-controlled Middle East news agency claimed last night Mr Riad’s remarks had been “distorted and misreported” by some news agencies, which it did not name.

The agency’s political editor said: “The established policy of the U.A.R. expressed by its Foreign Minister is clear and known to world public opinion in general and Arab public opinion in particular.

“This policy is no recognition, no peace treaty and no negotiations with Israel. . ..” Mr Zayyat said the agency statement was official, but “diplomatic” recognition was meant.

“We know Israel exists,” he said.