Haig reports ‘slight progress’ in M.E.

Press, 29 January 1982, Page 6

Haig reports ‘slight progress’ in M.E.

NZPA-Reuter Jerusalem The American Secretary of State (Mr Alexander Haig) has reported slight progress in his bid to bring Egypt and Israel closer to agreement on Palestinian autonomy. But after four hours of talks with the Israeli Prime Minister (Mr Menachem Begin) yesterday he cautioned that there was a great deal more negotiating to be done before agreement came in sight. Mr Haig; making his second attempt this month to break the impasse in the negotiations, said he had brought some new ideas.

Neither side disclosed details, but senior Israeli officials reported that security figured prominently in

yesterday’s talks. Egypt and, Israel differ over self-rule for the 1.2 million Palestinians on the Gaza Strip and the River Jordan’s West Bank. Egypt says they should have wide powers, while Israel offers only limited control oyer local affairs.

Israel, saying that Egypt is hardening its stand, has expressed concern that the negotiations may die away unless agreement is reached before April 26 when Israel is scheduled to evacuate Sinai and hand the desert territory back to Egypt. Israeli leaders talked late into the night to review Mr Haig’s suggestions and will meet the American delegation again today.

The Secretary of State will hold a press conference before flying on to Cairo to meet the Egyptian President (Mr Hosni Mubarak).

American officials made it clear that Mr Haig had not brought “magic formulas” to break the deadlock over the degree of autonomy to be granted to the Palestinians. But senior Israeli officials said there was a marked difference in the nature of the Secretary of State’s latest visit.

When he came to Jerusalem earlier this month, Mr Haig was primarily listening and assessing. This time he was asking questions and putting over some of his own views, the officials said.