Eban Says Renewal of War is Not Inevitable, Sees Egypt As Only Barrier to Talks

Foreign Minister Abba Eban of Israel said at a press conference here today that direct negotiation between Israel and the Arab states was the only way to peace in the Middle East. He said that indirect talks were meaningless. “I don’t understand English sufficiently to know what they imply,” he told newsmen. He charged that Egypt was the only factor standing in the way of direct negotiations. He said, however, that he did not believe that renewed warfare with the Arabs was inevitable. There are indications in the Arab world, especially among intellectuals, of a realization that the Arabs must come to terms with Israel however much they would prefer an all-Arab Middle East, he asserted.

Earlier, Mr. Eban addressed the Swedish-Israel Society and, in reply to a question from an Arab student, said he thought it was not possible to negotiate separately with Palestine Arabs without the participation of Jordan in the talks. He noted that West Bankers, while pressing for a solution, simultaneously declare their solidarity with their brethren on the East Bank of the Jordan, Mr. Eban refused to confirm or deny reports from reliable sources that he met yesterday with U.N. peace envoy Ambassador Gunnar Jarring who stopped over here on a private visit on his way to U.N. headquarters in New York.

The Israeli diplomat’s reception in Sweden, the second country on his current Scandinavian tour, has been warm and friendly on all levels. It has been marked by professions of goodwill and sympathy for Israel in its struggle for peace and Mr. Eban has been honored and given important forums to explain Israel’s position on the Middle East conflict. But his stay here has been marred by a rash of anti-Israel demonstrations staged by leftwing student groups, obviously inspired by the Communist apparatus, and local Arab propagandists. One such demonstration occurred while Mr. Eban was lecturing at the University of Uppsala when some 80 youngsters interrupted his talk with anti-Israel slogans and waved placards proclaiming “crush Zionism,” “Palestine to the Arabs” and “Israel supports American imperialism.” The demonstrators were shouted down by the predominantly pro-Israel audience, some of whose members waved Israeli flags.

In Stockholm, the Maoist Youth Federation joined forces with the local Arab club in a torchlight march on the Israel Embassy that ended in a scuffle with pro-Israel counter-demonstrators and the arrest of seven persons. The leftwing youth group had obtained a police permit for the parade in which about 300 persons participated. Speakers denounced the “imperialist” Swedish government for supporting Israel. Mr. Eban was guest of honor at a luncheon given by the City of Stockholm today. He was greeted by Mayor Carl Albert Anderson who declared that all citizens of Stockholm admired Israel’s achievements.