U.S. Studying Meaning of Rabat

President Ford said today that the United States was uncertain of what impact the Arab states’ recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole representative of the Palestinian people would have on U.S. efforts to promote a peace settlement in the Middle East. He made the remark during an unscheduled press conference at the White House this morning. He said he had not had an opportunity yet to assess the decision taken at the Arab summit conference in Rabat, Morocco yesterday but that the U.S. was studying it. “I can only say I think it is of maximum importance that continued movement toward peace on a justifiable basis in the Middle East is vital to that area of the world and probably to the world as a whole.” the President said.