Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger declared today that the lifting by Arab oil producing nations of their embargo against the United States will not affect American diplomatic efforts to settle the Middle East conflict. “We have to move at the pace that seems to us suitable for a settlement,” Kissinger told newsmen at a surprise news conference. “That cannot be affected by it” (the embargo lifting).
He made the comments after he was asked whether a news report that the embargo was being lifted only for a trial period to give him time to arrange a settlement meant this was “a sword over your head to have something done immediately.” Kissinger said, “I actually know no more than you,” when he was asked by newsmen about the reports that Arab leaders at their meeting in Tripoli, Libya yesterday had favored lifting the embargo. “I have no official report or official notification,” Kissinger said. “I have the same conflicting reports you have had. Your speculation is as good as mine.”
EBAN, KISSINGER MEET FRIDAY
Meanwhile; Kissinger’s meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban, expected for today, has been re-scheduled for tomorrow when the two are expected to lunch in the Secretary’s office in the State Department. Eban, who arrived in Washington early today, will hold a news conference at 3 p.m. tomorrow after his meeting with Kissinger. No reason was given for the re- scheduling of the meeting by either the State Department or the Israeli Embassy. It was understood that Kissinger’s busy schedule, which includes meeting with King Hussein, caused the change in timing.
State Department spokesman George Vest took the unusual step today of announcing that Eban was to dine tonight with Israeli Ambassador Simcha Dinitz. The State Department seldom discusses publicly events held in a foreign embassy to which the U.S. is not formally a party.
Vest said that the Eban-Kissinger talks could be looked upon as a preliminary discussion and a prelude to the arrival of a special Israeli emissary for discussions on Syrian-Israeli disengagement. Vest did not say when the Israeli or the Syrian representatives might be here but they are expected before March 24 when Kissinger goes to Moscow for three or four days.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
