Israel Asks U.S. to Get Soviet Commitment Its Troops Will Not Cross Canal

Israel has asked the United States to obtain a Soviet commitment that no Soviet troops would cross the Suez Canal after an Israeli pullback, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency learned tonight from a very reliable source. The request, it was understood, was one of the subjects discussed here yesterday evening by Premier Golde Meir and U.S. Ambassador Walworth Barbour. Israel, it is understood, feels that an Egyptian promise that no Soviet troops would cross the canal would be worthless without a clear Soviet commitment to that effect. Such a commitment pertains to the situation that would arise after an Israeli withdrawal from the astern bank of the canal as part of an interim settlement under which the waterway would be reopened. In a broadcast interview today, Finance Minister Pinhas Sapir said that it was essential in any interim solution that Israeli withdrawal not extend beyond a point from which the Israelis could not see any activity in and along the canal. Another essential condition, Sapir said, was that Israel have freedom of navigation all along the canal once it is reopened. As far as terms for an over-all settlement, Sapir said he had a peace “map”–but only in his mind, not on paper. Regarding his personal future, the minister said he would not be a candidate for another term. He also insisted that if he were offered the Premiership, which earlier reports considered likely, he would emphatically decline it. Referring again to his peace “map” Sapir said that it was in line with the rest of the so-called oral doctrine of the Labor Party–a united Jerusalem, a territorial link to Sharm el-Sheikh and the Jordan River as Israel’s security border with the Gaza Strip to remain under Israeli control.