Allon’s Talks with U.S. Officials to Focus on Next Stage of Peace Talks in Geneva, Talks with Jordan

Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Yigal Allon left today for the United States for meetings with Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, Defense Secretary James R. Schlesinger and Treasury Secretary William Simon. It was not determined today whether Allon would meet President Nixon. Allon is due to arrive in Washington Sunday. Political analysts in Jerusalem noted that Allon decided to make the visit as previously planned despite the latest developments in the Watergate affair and the fact that the center of international interest is focussed on the situation in Cyprus.

It is expected here that Allon’s discussions will center around the next stage of the Geneva peace conference. Although no dramatic results are expected, it is assumed that one of the main topics will be whether the next round of talks would take place with Egypt, Jordan or both. Before leaving Israel, Allon said that he would not bring any specific plans for talks with Jordan. He said he would merely discuss with Kissinger the various alternatives for talks with King Hussein.

Israel indicated this week that she is ready to hold negotiations with Jordan, and that she no longer insists that a further round of talks with Egypt take priority. The reason for this shift, observers note, is that the normalization process on the Suez Canal is proceeding slowly and Israel prefers not to continue the dialogue with Egypt until it can be better determined how normalization would take effect.

The issue of a Palestinian entity, which was discussed at the Cabinet session last Sunday, will also undoubtedly be raised by Allon. Another subject to be discussed will be implementation of American promises to increase economic and military aid to Israel. Allon is expected to be out of the country for 10 days. His duties will be handled by Premier Yitzhak Rabin. Prior to his American visit, Allen will spend three days in London, in what was described as a “purely private visit.” Allon’s son and daughter are currently in Britain.

CLARIFICATION, BUT NO MAPS

At his departure at Ben Gurion Airport, Allen said he would certainly talk to U.S. officials about the need for secure and defensible borders in the “future map” of the Mideast. However, he added, he was not carrying with him any made, “The talks will be merely of a principle and clarification nature. When we reach the stage of maps and lines, we will have to convene the Cabinet and adopt the appropriate resolutions.” Allon said that his plans include the preparation for Rabin’s visit to the U.S., “which will be part of a series of visits of Mideast heads of states, similar to the visits conducted now by Foreign Ministers.”

Israel Radio reported earlier that the discussions in Washington between Allon and U.S. officials will also focus on the slow process of normalization not only along the Suez Canal, but also in the Golan Heights. An on the spot report said there were no signs of reconstruction in Kuneitra, and there was no indication that the Syrians were making preparations to re-populate the town. Residents of the Golan border settlements expressed concern at this phenomenon. Israel Radio reported that Allon would raise the issue in Washington.