Egyptian Official, in Israel Tv Interview in Cairo, Expresses Optimism That Cairo Talks Could Lead T

The first Egyptian official to be interviewed on Israeli television in a broadcast from Cairo expressed optimism last night that the Cairo conference will produce concrete results that could lead to negotiations at a higher level. Dr. Morsi Sa’ad A Din, director of the Egyptian Government Information Service, acknowledged that the Israeli and Egyptian positions are far apart. But, he said, “once you overcome the lack of faith you can also reach an agreement.”

A Din was interviewed by Ehud Yaari on the nine o’clock news. He predicted that the Cairo conference would last for at least 10 days and possibly longer. He said the negotiations would not be easy since each side does not accept the other’s position, “but at least the positions are clear.” Referring to the Arab states opposing President Anwar Sadat’s peace initiative, the Egyptian official said those countries were trying to depose Cairo from its position of leadership in the Arab world. He predicted, however, that Syria eventually would go along with the negotiating process “because she has gone through wars.”

The interview with A Din was conducted with the cooperation of the Egyptian authorities. Cairo television loaned its studio and technical facilities and some of its personnel to the Israel Broadcasting Authority for the purpose. Yaari and a colleague, Alex Giladi, arrived in Cairo last week to prepare for coverage of the conference. Their trip was sharply criticized by Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan at Sunday’s Cabinet meeting because they had not consulted in advance with his ministry.

CRACKDOWN AGAINST SOVIET BLOC

Meanwhile, reports from Cairo stated that Egypt ordered all Soviet, East German, Hungarian and Czechoslovakian cultural centers closed in Alexandria, Port Said and Aswan.

The move, following Moscow’s attack on Sadat’s peace moves, was announced this morning to the People’s Assembly (Parliament) by Egyptian Prime Minister Marndouh Salem following a Cabinet meeting. According to the official Middle East News Agency, Salem accused the countries of using their cultural centers for Communist propaganda and of infiltrating popular organizations and trade unions “in violation of all agreements governing their (the centers) activities.”

EGYPT MAY GO IT ALONE WITH ISRAEL

(In an interview published in the New York Times today, Sadat said he would see negotiations with Israel “through to the end” whether or not other Arab countries and the Soviet Union participated. He said he expected the United States to play a key role.

(Sadat said he would continue to seek a “comprehensive” settlement with Israel on the “two basic principles adopted at Rabat (site of the 1974 Arab summit meeting)–return of the territories occupied in 1967 and Palestinian rights.” He said that if he reached an overall agreement on those principles and the other Arab states refused, “they would have to face their own people. If they refuse to discuss with Israel and take the land, they will have to face the whole world,” he warned.)

(Alfred Atherton, Assistant Secretary of State for Near East and South Asian Affairs, interviewed this morning on the NBC-TV “Today” show was asked to comment on Sadat’s statement of carrying peace “through to the end” with Israel. He replied: “I think it’s premature really to talk about that.” Asked whether, in view of Sadat’s trip to Israel last month, it was not time for Israel to reciprocate in the Cairo talks, Atherton said: “I think both sides are going to have to be more flexible. I would think that both sides recognize this.” He also reiterated U.S. displeasure with the Soviet attitude toward the proposed Cairo conference.)