CEASE-FIRE MAY BE SOON

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32367, 5 August 1970, Page 13

CEASE-FIRE MAY BE SOON

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) NEW YORK, Aug. 4. An Arab-Israeli ceasefire enabling peace talks to take place under the United Nations mediator, Dr Gunnar Jarring, might be proclaimed before the end of the week, informed sources said today.

The disclosure came as Dr Jarring prepared to confer with Arab and Israeli representatives on the implementation of the 90-day cease-fire. The sources said that they believed the cease-fire could be extended beyond 90 days if negotiations go well. There would probably be parallel declarations in the key capitals, they said. Dr Jarring, the Swedish Ambassador to Moscow, arrived in New York on Sunday night for consultations with the Secretary-General (U Thant) in preparation for the forthcoming peace talks.

An Arab source said that his stay in New York might be protracted and that, contrary to earlier speculation, Dr Jarring might not return

to his Cyprus headquarters afterwards. If not, indirect Arab-Israeli peace negotiations might take place in New York. Some Arab diplomats are said to favour that course.

* The United States Secretary of State (Mr William Rogers), author of the peace plan now accepted by Egypt, Jordan and Israel, which is the basis of Dr Jarring’s activities, said last night that it was up to the United

Nations envoy where the peace talks took place. “We hope we can play a useful role, but the developments in the days ahead will be under the auspices of Dr Jarring,” Mr Rogers told reporters, after a 90-minute meeting with U Thant and the peace mediator. Mr Rogers and U Thant both laid stress in statements afterwards on the need for quiet diplomacy if the peace initiative was to make speedy headway.

• Reliable sources said that Lebanese and Israeli delei gates would call on Dr Jarr- • ing today and that Dr AbI dullah el-Erian, the Egyptian • deputy representative, would • probably see him also. The Egyptian Ambassador (Mr Mohammed al-Zayyat) is in Cairo for consultations.