Diplomats Call on Herzog to Congratulate Israel for Its Part in the Historic Weekend

The general feeling expressed by diplomats and observers here today in the aftermath of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s historic visit to Israel was that it is now up to Israel to make dramatic concessions in response to Sadat’s initiative.

Scores of diplomats have called Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Chaim Herzog, to congratulate Israel for its part in the weekend’s events in Jerusalem and to express hope for further progress. A few brought up the question of concessions in their talks with Herzog, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency learned.

Many of the diplomats who telephoned the Israeli envoy represented African states that have no diplomatic relations with Israel. According to sources here, some of them indicated a desire to renew their ties with Israel. Herzog has not had a chance yet to meet with the Egyptian Ambassador, Esmet Abdel Meguid.

MIDEAST DEBATE SCHEDULED

While expressing optimism and satisfaction over the new turn of events in the Middle East, diplomats are awaiting the Middle East debate scheduled to open in the General Assembly tomorrow morning. Their feeling is that the tone of the debate could indicate developments to come and whether the extremists in the Arab world–Algeria, Iraq, Libya and Syria–will take the lead and turn the debate into a document of intra-Arab dissension. The Arab countries were to meet this afternoon to iron out differences or at least to reach an agreed approach regarding the implications of Sadat’s visit and tomorrow’s debate.

But some sources here predicted the debate might fizzle out in view of the latest developments because of a lack of speakers. By late this afternoon, Syria was the only country on the speakers’ list for tomorrow morning. Egypt was still unlisted.

A Western diplomat told the JTA that he anticipated a softening of the Syrian attitude in the aftermath of Sadat’s trip which Syria had vigorously opposed. According to the diplomat, the Syrians have something to gain from the new developments, whereas the other extremist countries which do not border Israel and are therefore not directly involved, will continue in their uncompromising opposition to any reconciliation with the Jewish State.

Meanwhile, Secretary General Kurt Waldheim issued a statement today through his spokesman. It said: “This (Sadat’s) visit was obviously an historic event, but its full significance can only be judged in the light of subsequent developments. The Secretary General hopes that the visit will contribute to the achievement of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East and specifically to the removal of the remaining obstacles to the Geneva conference. The Secretary General is in active touch with the parties concerned to ascertain what the prospects now appear to be in the light of this visit.”