The West German Federal Democratic Party today unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming Israel’s vital interests and security. The party spoke of Germany’s special relations to Israel and said Israel’s vital interests were as little a matter of dispute as those of the Arab states. The party demanded immediate peace negotiations, and also a settlement of the Palestinian problem.
Foreign Minister Walter Scheel, addressing the FDP congress as FDP chairman, said he rejected accusations that Israel had been “sacrificed on the altar of oil interests.” Europe had to seek a solution to the oil problem and try now to prevent another threat to supplies. Scheel said Israel and Egypt had fully appreciated the European community’s position on the conflict, even if the EEC resolution had hurt one side or the other.
The most urgent thing now, he added, was to work for immediate peace negotiations. After an agreement, the EEC would throw in its weight to improve the economic and social situation in the Middle East.
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