Dayan Feels There is a Chance to Reach Accord with Egypt on Declaration of Principles

Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan said here today that he thought there “is a chance” to reach an agreement with Egypt on a declaration of principles, utilizing the mediation efforts of the United States. Dayan spoke to reporters following an hour-long meeting he had with Assistant Secretary of State Alfred L. Atherton at the Regency Hotel. The Israeli Foreign Minister said Atherton is expected to return to the Middle East around Feb. 20.

“We shall go on with the job that we have started, to reach an agreement with the Egyptian through the mediation of representatives of the American Administration,” Dayan said. He said he hoped an agreement would be reached on the declaration of principles which is the first item on the agenda of the joint Israeli-Egyptian political committee talks which have been suspended since Jan. 18. “In my opinion there is a chance to reach an agreement on this issue,” Dayan said.

He noted that the political committee deliberations were halted by President Anwar Sadat of Egypt. “I am happy that as a result of President Sadat’s visit to Washington it was agreed between Egypt and the U.S. to continue the process of negotiations,” he said.

Atherton, who accompanied Dayan out of the meeting, told reporters that his talk with Dayan was in preparation for the Israeli Foreign Minister’s meeting with Secretary of State Cyrus Vance next week. Atherton said he conveyed to Dayan the Administration’s impressions of Sadat’s attitude.

Replying to a question, Dayan said that he and Atherton had not discussed the issue of Israeli settlements in occupied Arab territories. Asked to comment on last night’s White House statement which described the settlements as an “obstacle” to peace, Dayan said, “We have different ideas about that.”