The Big Four negotiations on the Middle East have reportedly reached agreement on six general principles for a settlement. The points are said to be: the Nov. 22,1967 UN Security Council resolution must be the basis for a settlement which must be fully carried out; reiteration of support of the peace-keeping efforts of UN Middle East representative Gunnar V, Jarring; the powers would make suggestions through Dr. Jarring as a basis for settlement but must not impose a solution; there must be a package deal involving all elements of a settlement; any territorial adjustment must not reflect the weight of conquest; a just and lasting peace in the Middle East must be the aim of the powers.
The Washington Post reported there was no accord, however, on what borders the Israeli troops would be expected to withdraw to, or how the Arab countries would signify their acceptance of recognized boundaries for Israel. Palestinian refugees were a topic of discussion, the Post UN correspondent Robert Estabrook said, and Egypt is said to have indicated Israeli shipping should have passage through the Suez Canal and the Straits of Tiran in any settlement. Although the issue of pas-
sage is not explicitly linked to a prior refugee settlement, it is undertook that agreement on all parts is contemplated before any single part is carried out, the Post reported.
The four ambassadors were said to be working on an interim communique and will report their progress to Secretary-General U Thant.
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