RABIN’S VIEW Interim accord ‘complicated’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33870, 16 June 1975, Page 17

RABIN’S VIEW Interim accord ‘complicated’

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright? WASHINGTON, June 15. The Israeli Prime Minister (Mr Yitzhak Rabin) was quoted as saying it would be “very complicated to reach

an interim agreement” with Egypt in the search for peace in the Middle East.

In an interview released yesterday, the “U.S. News and World Report” magazine quoted him as saying that, since Dr Kissinger’s middle East shuttle diplomacy was suspended last March, there were positive developments that had improved conditions for resumed negotiations between Israel and Egypt.

But he added: “I’m not saying that agreement is at hand, by no means. It’s going to be very complicated to reach an interim agreement.” Mr Rabin said that Egypt had to negotiate on three basic issues if a new agreement w’as to be reached. These were:—

Duration: “We want to know: what is the minimal • period that a new agree-! ment will stand.” Non-belligerency. “If tire state of war is unchanged and Egypt claims all the rights of a belligerent power, we cannot give up our defence on the Mitla and Gidi passes in the Sinai.” Steps towards peace. "There must be some symbolic: acts (by Egypt) to show’ that we are at the beginning of a movement towards peace.” Mr Rabin said that unless Egypt were ready to deal on ! these issues he doubted whether Israel would change

its position. But he added a change by Egypt would be answered by Israel. The Prime Minister was interviewed after two days of intensive talks with Mr Ford and Dr Kissinger. He is to have a further meeting with the Secretary of State in New York.