Kissinger working on complex peace points

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33540, 22 May 1974, Page 13

Kissinger working on complex peace points

(N.Z P. A -Reuter—Copyright)

JERUSALEM, Mav 21.

The United States Secretary of State (Dr Henry Kissinger) is attempting today to solve a series of complex problems on the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian troops.

Dr Kissinger, in the fourth week of his diplomatic endeavour, is meeting the Israeli leaders again today, before setting out on another shuttle between Jerusalem and Damascus.

Both United States and Israeli officials have agreed that the disengagement line is almost settled.

However, more involved issues must be sorted out over the next few days before the signing of an agreement in Geneva can become a certainty, or before military delegations can get together to settle details for its implementation.

Dr Kissinger is apparently determined to clear up everything before the week-end, when, he has said, he will

Soccer riot One soccer supporter is dead and three are in critical condition today after a policeman fired on rioting spectators during a First Di--4 vision soccer match between ~ Remo and Paissandu Belem, ) in Brazil. Spectators broke d down wire fences to rush on to the field to fight with the •t police, players and a line- ,. sman who disallowed a Paisj, sandu goal. — Bele, Brazil, 11 May 21.

definitely return to Washington.

After reporting further progress from several hours of tough talking in Damascus yesterday, Dr Kissinger sat for more than two hours with Israel’s negotiating team, then had a private session with the Prime Minister (Mrs Meir) for almost another hour, until early morning.

Afterwards, Israel’s Foreign Minister (Mr Abba Eban) told reporters: "There is certainly far greater hope (of an agreement) than there was this time last Friday night.” The United States spokesman, Mr Robert Anderson, and the Israeli Minister of Information (Mr Shimon Peres) both said that there were still minor snags over the line and some other complicated issues to be eliminated. It is understood that the disengagement line proposed by the United States is largely acceptable to both sides, though the Syrians were said to be seeking pos-

session of the odd building or small piece of land here and there.

Israel is apparently not now being asked to give up the three hills overlooking Kuneitra, the battered town which it has said it will give back along with the 300 square mile bulge taken in the war of October last year. Mr Peres confirmed that the outstanding questions included the nature and size of a United Nations force, the thinning-out of Israeli and Syrian forces, an exchange of prisoners and a time-table for the execution of the agreement, as well as a date and place for its signing. “The wording of every paragraph calls for a great deal of work. Everyone is very much concerned at the wording, so there will be no misunderstanding,” Mr Peres said.

A high United States official also indicated near agreement on the size of the buffer zone — somewhere between two to four miles wide — though this still had to be agreed upon. The United States had also offered to do aerial reconnaissance as part of the supervision of the agreement. If an agreement is reached by the week-end. Mrs Meir’s caretaker Government will submit it to the Knesset (Parliament) for approval.