Restoration of U.s.-egypt Diplomatic Relations Discussed by U.S. Ambassadors in Teheran

Restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Egypt was one of the topics discussed by U.S. Undersecretary of State Elliot Richardson during a two-day conference of American Mideast ambassadors in Teheran, it was reported here today. The other topics were said to have been the Arab-Israel conflict and the growth of anti-American feelings in the Arab world. Egypt severed diplomatic relations with Washington during the June, 1967 Six-Day War after accusing the U.S. of providing military assistance to Israel. Assistant Secretary of State Joseph J. Sisco visited Cairo last week on his way to the Teheran meeting, the first high ranking American diplomat to do so since 1967. His four-day visit to the Egyptian capital where he met with President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Foreign Minister Mahmoud Riad and other officials aroused speculation that a Cairo-Washington rapprochement might be in the wind.

But Mr. Richardson said after the Teheran meeting. “We did not arrive at any specific conclusions, indeed we did not attempt to reach any definite new departures in policy in the course of our discussions.” He discounted suggestions that Iran might be asked to mediate between Jordan and the U.S. following the ouster of U.S. Ambassador Harrison Symes from Amman last week. Mr. Sisco was advised by Ambassador Symes to bypass Amman because of anti-American riots, a recommendation that aroused the ire of the Jordanian government. But Mr. Sisco said in Teheran that last week’s developments in Amman would not affect relations between the U.S. and Jordan. It was reported that another subject discussed by the American diplomats at Teheran was the possibility of the United States establishing a “presence” in the Persian Gulf after the British withdraw next year.