Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, exchanging toasts with representatives of 13 Arab states and the Arab League at a luncheon which he hosted here today, declared that the U.S. is ready to assist in the quest for peace in the Middle East and will keep “open attitudes” but cautioned that none of the parties should look to the U.S. for miracles. Five Arab states boycotted the 90-minute luncheon at the U.S. Mission which was closed to the press.
The nature of Dr. Kissinger’s toast and the response by Arab League Secretary General Mohammed Riad were related to the press by Robert McCloskey, former chief spokesman of the State Department, who served as Kissinger’s press liaison today.
McCloskey said the Secretary of State meant that the U.S. was not interested in imposed solutions for the Mideast conflict when he said it could perform no miracles. He stressed, in reply to questions, that there is no Kissinger plan for the Middle East.
Arab participants in the luncheon said that no proposals were brought up. The Arabs, nevertheless, appeared pleased that one of Dr. Kissinger’s first official acts after taking office was to open a dialogue with them. But they emphasized the occasion’s social aspects rather than any political significance.
U.S. SENSITIVE TO ARAB CONCERN
Dr. Kissinger said in his toast that the U.S. understands Arab concern and knows that from the Arab point of view the situation in the Middle East is unacceptable, McCloskey said. Dr. Kissinger told the Arabs further that what is needed is to find ways to change the presently unacceptable situation to one which the Arabs can live with.
McCloskey said that Dr. Kissinger added that for its part, the U.S. is ready to assist in solving the problem and always valued its relations with the Arab governments. McCloskey quoted Dr. Kissinger as saying: “We want to promote progress toward peace. We will show understanding and hope you will do the same. We will keep open attitudes as we proceed.”
Riad, in his response, McCloskey reported, observed that relations between the U.S. and the Arabs were traditionally good until the Arabs concluded that the U.S. supports only Israel. Since that time, relations between the governments have deteriorated, he said. Riad added that the Arabs sought peace but to achieve it Israel must withdraw from all the territories it occupies and the rights of the Palestinian people must be guaranteed. He charged that Israel still has designs to annex Arab territory.
“We must continue the search for peace. If we failed once, it doesn’t mean we should not try again,” Riad was quoted as saying. He warned that if peace does not come, the area could be inflamed in war once again.
The Kissinger luncheon was boycotted by five Arab states that had been invited–Syria, Iraq, Libya, Algeria and South Yemen. Of the 13 states that attended, only three–Lebanon, Bahrein and the Yemeni Arab Republic–were represented by their foreign ministers, although the foreign ministers of all had been invited.
LUNCHEON TERMED “DELIGHTFUL,” “ENTERTAINING”
The other participants–Egypt, Jordan. Kuwait, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia. Sudan, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates–sent their permanent UN representatives. In addition to Dr. Kissinger and McCloskey who is the U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, the American officials attending included Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Joseph J. Sisco, and James Atkins, newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
The Arab representatives emerging from the luncheon used words like “delightful” and “entertaining” to describe it. Ambassador Abdel Meguid of Egypt said it was an occasion for the Arab diplomats to meet with each other and with Dr. Kissinger. The Lebanese Foreign Minister called it “a wonderful lunch” and said he looked forward to further meetings with the Secretary of State. Riad told reporters that the talk at the lunch was about peace and justice, adding that the question now is how to define justice.
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