Dayan, Young Revive Old Friendship

Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan of Israel and Andrew Young, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, met for a half hour here today to discuss the events of recent weeks. Following the meeting, Young told reporters that they had “revived” their old friendship. The meeting, in Dayan’s suite at the Regency Hotel, was arranged at Young’s request. Yehuda Blum, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN was also present.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Young described his talk with Dayan as “friendly” and said it dealt largely with his plans. He told Dayan, he said, that he did not blame him or Israel for the events that brought about his resignation from his UN post. He also said he discussed his plans to visit the Middle East, including Israel, in the near future, with the Foreign Minister.

Dayan told reporters that he appreciated Young’s initiative in seeking today’s meeting and said they had “clarified” the events of recent weeks. With respect to Young’s planned visit to Israel, Dayan said he was welcome to come provided he does not intend to try to act as a negotiator between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization during his trip. He added that he would have to report Young’s wish to visit Israel to his government. The Israeli Foreign Minister is to address the UN General Assembly late tomorrow afternoon.

Last night Young and his wife Jean were guests of honor at a dinner at the same hotel given by Kuwaiti Ambassador Abdulla Bishara at whose home the controversial meeting between Young and the PLO observer at the UN, Zehadi Labib Terzi, took place last July. During a photo session in the hotel ballroom Young embraced Terzi and afterwards quipped: “Why don’t we invite Mr. Dayan down?”