Foreign Minister Abba Eban said today that he did not attach much importance to the visit to Washington this week of Hafez Ismail, President Anwar Sadat’s national security advisor. He dismissed speculation that Ismail would try to forestall further agreements between Israel and the U.S. Egypt has no say in mutual relations between Israel and America, Eban said.
The Foreign Minister spoke to reporters on his return from a visit to Britain. He said the assignment of Ismail who is known as “the Egyptian Kissinger” was to explain his country’s position in various world capitals and Washington is one of them.
Israeli sources predicted today that the U.S. would make a serious effort to get Egypt to renew contacts with Israel for an interim Suez Canal agreement but they were convinced that Washington does not plan to suggest anything new or to impose any solution on Israel.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.