Golda Meir Meets Harold Wilson, Reiterates Opposition to Big 4 Mideast Talks

Premier Golda Meir of Israel arrived here today and went directly to No. 10 Downing St. for an initial meeting with British Premier Harold Wilson. The meeting lasted a half hour. Mrs. Meir said afterwards that it was “most friendly” and that the two Prime Ministers had exchanged views on the general situation in the Middle East and on prospects for peace. Mrs. Meir will meet with Mr. Wilson again before she returns to Israel. The Israeli Premier came here officially to attend the conference of the Socialist International which opens at Bournmouth on Monday and which she will address. Tonight she was guest of honor at a dinner given by the Israeli Ambassador, Aharon Remez, attended by a number of Cabinet ministers and other high Government officials. At an airport press conference, Mrs. Meir reiterated her belief that the Big Four Mideast talks cannot possibly settle the Middle East problem. She said Israel opposed the talks because its viewpoint was not represented by them. She said that this did not mean that some of the participants were not Israel’s good friends but that they were also on friendly terms with the Arabs and could not represent Israel’s viewpoint.

Mrs. Meir contended that only the sovereign states concerned could settle their difference among themselves. She said she was prepared to go to any Arab capital on short notice if invited to talk peace, and, by the same token, any Arab leader who wanted to talk peace would be most welcome in Jerusalem. Mrs. Meir said the Arabs’ refusal of direct talks showed they did not want to talk peace or have peace.