The United States intends to pursue an interim agreement between Israel and Egypt to reopen the Suez Canal but will conduct its quest on the ambassadorial level in Washington or New York rather than in the Middle East. Foreign Ministry sources said today. The Ministry sources disclosed that the idea was broached by Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Joseph J. Sisco at a meeting last Tuesday with Yitzhak Rabin, Israel’s Ambassador to Washington.
The plan was to have a senior American official establish contacts in the Middle East and travel between Jerusalem and Cairo much as the United Nations Secretary General’s special emissary, Dr. Gunnar V. Jarring did nearly two years ago. That plan was abandoned because of the negative stand taken by Egypt, the Israeli sources said. Foreign Minister Abba Eban is expected back in Israel shortly. He will return to New York next month for the Middle East debate in the UN General Assembly.
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