Federation Places Question Mark over Jarring Talks, Interim Arrangement on Canal

The announced federation of Egypt, Libya and Syria has created uncertainty here over the future of the Jarring talks and the immediate issue of an interim arrangement with Egypt to reopen the Suez Canal. The federation and Israel’s terms for an interim agreement were discussed at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. This morning, Deputy Premier Yigal Allon left for the United States 24 hours earlier than scheduled. There was speculation here that he wanted an extra day of talks with U.S. administration officials. His mission is believed to be linked with Israel’s request for American clarification of the measures it would take to assure that Egypt observed the terms of an interim agreement. But it was believed that the possible effects of the new tripartite federation would also be discussed. Israeli political circles seemed to be of two opinions as to its implications. One view is that the newest federation, like the previous ones announced with fanfare by the Arabs, will never coalesce and poses no new challenge to Israel. A differing view is that the federation announcement links Egypt with two Arab countries that have consistently taken a hard line toward Israel and have criticized Cairo’s peace moves. This view gained credence from preamble to the federation pact which echoed the 1967 Arab summit meeting declaration at Khartoum–no negotiations, no recognition, no peace with Israel. Allon said, prior to his departure today that he would welcome the federation if it were intended to better the lot of the Arab peoples.

“Unfortunately, its establishment was accompanied by warlike pronouncements,” he said. Allon added, “I was very sorry hear that (Egyptian President) Anwar Sadat said he had no intention of discussing future borders with Israel. I think this is a big mistake–especially for Egypt itself.” The policy of no negotiations, recognition or peace with Israel, proclaimed by the presidents of Egypt, Libya and Syria at Benghazi on Saturday, Sharply contradicts President Sadat’s previous acknowledgement to United Nations mediator Gunnar V. Jarring that he was prepared to recognize Israel’s sovereignty, at least de facto, and enter into peace negotiations. Sadat’s agreement was regarded as the most hopeful sign that the U.S. peace initiative launched last summer might at last bear fruit, Now, sources here said, Sadat seems to have been influenced by the uncompromising stands of Presidents Muammer Qaddafi of Libya and Hafez el-Assad of Syria, who have been urging mobilization for what they regard as an inevitable “fourth round” of war with Israel. Israeli officials meanwhile are studying the effects of the federation announcement on the Arab world, the Soviet Union which is Egypt’s chief backer and France which has sold Mirage jets to Libya, Reaction in the Arab world was predictable. The pact was hailed by government officials and Palestinian guerrilla leaders alike as a major step toward the long sought Arab unity against Israel. Whatever peace sentiments may have existed were submerged today in the florid messages of congratulation pouring out of Arab capitals.

The Soviet Union also hailed the new federation. The Communist Party newspaper, Pravda, termed it a major step toward “ultimate victory over the forces of aggression, Zionism and neo-colonialism in the Middle East.” There was evidence however that the Soviets and Egyptians have not abandoned efforts for an interim arrangement to reopen the Suez Canal. The subject was almost certainly on the agenda of the talks between Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko and Egyptian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Riad in Moscow this week. But Riad’s reported statement that reopening the Suez Canal was of secondary importance to Israeli withdrawal from all Arab territories has dampened the prospects for an interim agreement. Some Israeli officials believe the new federation may have a degenerative effect on France-Arab relations. The French agreement to sell more than 100 Mirage jets to Libya’s tiny air force a year ago contained the stipulation that the warplanes cannot be transferred to a third power. France assured Israel at the time that its stipulation would be enforced. Under the new federation pact however, the armed forces of Egypt, Libya and Syria would be interchangeable and Egyptian and even Syrian pilots could eventually be flying Libyan Mirages. Israel is believed almost certain to make representations to France on this matter. France reportedly assured Israel recently that it would halt delivery of the Mirages to Libya if it had evidence they were being transferred to Egypt.