Israel listed three conditions today which it says must be fulfilled before it participates in any contact with Syria at the Geneva peace conference. According to an official communique released by the Prime Minister’s Office, the conditions are that Syria present Israel with a complete list of prisoners of war it holds; that the Red Cross be permitted to visit Israeli POWs in Syria; and that the Red Cross affirms that the POWs are being held under conditions compatible with the Geneva Convention requirements.
The third condition, which had not been mentioned in previous statements on the POW issue, means that Israel would refuse to talk to the Syrians unless it is assured that Israeli POWs are receiving humane treatment. The communique added that these conditions would not prevent Israel’s participation in talks with Egypt and Jordan at Geneva. But unless they are met, Israel will not take part in any context of the conference in which the Syrians participate, the statement said. The communique was issued while the Cabinet met in its weekly session. The Cabinet took no final decision on the Geneva talks, but will meet again after Kissinger’s departure.
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