Israelis optimistic on M.E., but Carter keeps gloomy view

Press, 23 October 1978, Page 6

Israelis optimistic on M.E., but Carter keeps gloomy view

NZPA-Reuter New York Israel's delegation to peace treaty talks with Egypt, , which last week made gloomy predictions about their outcome, has left the United States for consultations in , Israel on a new optimistic note.

But President Carter, of the United States, sponsor of the talks being held in Washington, said that many differences still existed between the two sides and the outcome was not assured. The Is aeli Foreign Minister (Mr Moshe Dayan) who himself infused the talks with pessimism with his repeated warnings about serious problems, credited Mr Carter with a new breakthrough. “I am much more optimistic than I was a few days •go,” he told reporters before boarding a plane at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, taking with him • revised draft of a treaty put forward by the United States on Friday. "We are very grateful to

your President, who has: helped Egypt and ourselves| to overcome some of the difficulties we face,” Mr Dayan said. An Israeli aide said prospects for a peace settlement: were better now than at any: other time in the negotia-j tions. Mr Carter, who held several meetings last week with; both delegations, said it was| much more difficult to negotiate the details of peace! than the outline agreement.) especially as the leaders of' Israel and Egypt were not' close together as they were) at Camp David. After meeting Mr Dayan) and the Israeli Defence Min-i ister (Mr Ezer Weizman) at I the White Ho'use on Friday) afternoon, Mr Carter held

Tate-night talks with the) ) Egyptians “to go into thei details of the difficulties.") He met the Egyptians again) )on Saturday morning. i One of the problems; 'blocking the talks was beilieved to concern Egypt's) ) insistence on linking a) ; treaty between the two countries with a separate treaty on the status of the (occupied West Bank of the Jordan River and the Gaza ) Strip. i In Cairo, President Sadat 'yesterday told reporters that the link was the crucial ) issue. But he said it was ) premature to say the peace (treaty talks could break) (down if Israel insisted on) (separating the two ques-l tions.