Behind the Headlines U.S. Unlikely to Take New Mideast Initiatives Until Long After Carter Administr

High American officials and East European diplomatic sources here appeared to be in agreement today in thinking that the United States would not initiate fresh negotiations in the Arab-Israeli dispute until long after President-elect Jimmy carter takes office in January.

The State Department’s view was expressed yesterday by spokesman Robert Funseth in response to a reporter’s question on whether any new Middle East initiative awaits the inauguration of Carter. “As matter of principle I do not think it is desirable to identify those questions which may be decided and those which may be deferred,” Funseth said. He added: “I think I would say the State Department would do its utmost to avoid pre-empting the new Administration’s flexibility from making decisions after it takes office on issues which it might wish to review.”

Privately, State Department officials told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that they thought any new U.S. initiative would probably be deferred until after the Israeli elections next October. They observed that the Carter Administration will require several months to become adjusted to its responsibilities regarding all parts of the world, not the Mideast alone. By that time the Israeli election campaign will be going into full swing and that would not be a desirable period in which to bring forth initiatives for a settlement when Israel’s leadership may be in doubt.

EAST EUROPE WAITING FOR SIGNS

East European diplomatic sources here indicated in private conversations with the JTA that the first subject to receive the Carter Administration’s international attention will be consideration of renewal of negotiations with the Soviet Union on SALT talks.

This, they said, will be a forecast of the new Administration’s attitude towards the Soviet Union and also open the door to other developments related to the Soviet government, including the Mideast and Africa, The East Europeans feel that both the Mideast and Africa are secondary in U.S estimations and also in Soviet assessment to accommodations between the superpowers.

Despite the State Department’s indication of long delay before the U.S. moves towards the Mideast problems, sections of the media close to State Department’s thinking and intimate with Arab leaders appear to be pressing Washington to move quickly after the Carter inauguration to seek more “progress” towards getting Israel to move out of Arab territories occupied in 1967. As usual these sources, however do not mention any quid pro quo from the Arabs, such as recognition in public and formally of Israel’s existence as an independent Jewish State.

SOME MOVES THAT BODE WELL

Meanwhile, UNESCO’s action towards opening the way for Israel to join the European regional organization which the parent body had prevented two years ago is seen as a sign of better understanding of the official U.S. position against politicizing United Nations organizations. The International Labor Organization, another UN subsidiary body, also has relaxed its attitude toward the U.S.

These conciliatory moves by Third World forces, which in turn have influenced Soviet policy, are seen as the result of the stiff position taken by Congress that it will not continue to tolerate such actions as had taken place against democracies in the UN bodies. The Congressional activities which have caused the Administration to go along with the insistence on better treatment for Israel and the U.S., and automatically other democracies, may be further buttressed in the 95th Congress when it convenes in January.

Many of the young members of both Houses are concerned about Israel as a bastion of democracy and therefore are unwilling to let it be isolated since that would weaken the U.S, and the West as a whole. Some observers believe that the sentimental feeling for Israel in Congress based on the Holocaust and the homelessness of the Jews has been superseded by the view that Israel is a vital link in the democratic defense and thus requires full U.S. and Western support.