Kissinger Hints Mrs. Meir’s Move May Slow Down Disengagement Talks

Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger hinted that the resignation of Israeli Premier Golda Meir might slow down the disengagement talks between Israel and Syria. Other knowledgeable sources here also noted that Mrs. Meir’s move clouded the prospects of U.S. efforts to secure a speedy disengagement accord. These feelings were expressed even as a Syrian joint military and civilian team headed by Brig. Gen. Hikmat al-Shihabi arrived here yesterday to present Syria’s view on disengagement. Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan met with Kissinger here two weeks ago to present Israel’s disengagement plans.

The Secretary was due to meet with the Syrian delegation late this afternoon although there were indications that this may be postponed until tomorrow in order to give Kissinger and other top U.S. officials a chance to evaluate the situation in Israel following Mrs. Meir’s resignation. Asked by reporters yesterday if Mrs. Meir’s resignation would affect the Israeli-Syrian talks, Kissinger said, “It isn’t going to speed them up.”

He also hinted that he might not resume the kind of shuttle diplomacy which succeeded in securing a disengagement agreement last Jan. between Israel and Egypt. The Secretary indicated that he would be in a better position to know whether he would make another Middle East trip after his talks with the Syrians and after seeing how Israel would resolve its present crisis. Kissinger had planned to visit Israel and Syria after April 20 to help conclude a disengagement accord.

This afternoon President Nixon met with Algerian President Houari Boumediene for talks that could lead to the resumption of U.S. Algerian relations, broken off during the Six-Day War in 1967. The two Presidents discussed diplomacy aimed at bringing a permanent settlement to the Middle East and the recent decision of Arab oil-producing states to end their embargo against the U.S. Kissinger attended the White House meeting but was also expected to meet separately with Boumediene.

ASSAD SEEKING SUPPORT IN MOSCOW

Meanwhile, as the Syrian delegation here prepared to meet with Kissinger, Syrian President Hafez Assad arrived today in Moscow for a five-day state visit, reportedly to discuss the framework of conducting disengagement talks with Israel and to ascertain the extent of the Soviet Union’s support for Syria’s approach to the talks. The USSR has already replaced all of Syria’s losses during the Yom Kippur War.

Earlier this week Assad told a rally in Damascus that his country would continue to build up its armed forces until victory is achieved. He did not, however, rule out a political approach toward ending the conflict. But he added that a political approach must include an “honorable solution” for Syria. Sources here note that Assad’s visit to Moscow is to get assurances that this solution will not be thwarted in negotiations with Kissinger. If Syria decides to extend its current war of attrition to full-scale war once again Assad needs the Kremlin’s approval.