Eban Says Lifting or Reimposing of Oil Embargoes Will Not Affect Israel’s Policies and Plans

Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban said here today that “the remarks” on oil policy have no affect whatever on Israel’s policies and plans. Eban explained that Israel’s long-term interests are not going to be affected by what he termed “marginal inconvenience” of some Industrial countries. Israel will follow its own needs regardless of any time table set by the Arabs for lifting or reimposing oil embargoes, Eban said. He made these remarks after he emerged from an 80-minute breakfast meeting with United Nations Secretary General Kurt Waldheim at Waldheim’s residence.

Answering questions from newsmen, Eban said he discussed with Waldheim “positions on the Middle East.” and the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF). According to Eban, he also drew the attention of Waldheim once again to the problems of Israeli prisoners of war in Syria and the situation of the Jewish community there. Eban, who was accompanied by Israel’s UN Ambassador Yosef Tekoah, said that the Israeli goal in regard to Syria is “to put the military phase behind us.”

Referring to the role of the Soviet Union in seeking a settlement in the Middle East. Eban said that the limitations of the Soviet role are “self-imposed” because the USSR doesn’t have relations with Israel and it does “not seek to operate in the area between the positions of the parties” but identifies totally with the Arab states. He added that if the USSR wants to change its role “the cure is obvious.” Asked if he agrees with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat that Nixon’s impeachment will be a tragedy to the Middle East, Eban said “I didn’t hear this question.”

After his meeting with Eban, Waldheim expressed concern about the situation on the Golan Heights and called on Israel and Syria to observe the cease-fire orders. (By Yitzhak Rabi)