Israeli Diplomatic Circles Attach Great Importance to Rogers’ Statement

Diplomatic circles here said tonight they attached special importance to yesterday’s statement by William P. Rogers, United States Secretary of State, on the grave concern with which Washington regards the Soviet operational activity in Egypt and welcomed “the air of urgency and seriousness” expressed by Mr. Rogers regarding Israel’s request for additional aircraft. There was ground for increased hope that Washington’s urgent reconsideration of Israel’s request, which was announced at the end of April, would reach a positive conclusion as soon as possible, it was stated. Israeli diplomatic circles at the same time seemed apprehensive regarding Mr. Rogers’ statement that the U.S. would take new initiatives in the next two or three weeks to try to reopen negotiations for a settlement of the Middle East conflict.

Israel had no information as to the steps which the U.S. intends to take in this direction, it was stressed, adding that Israel’s position regarding the need for negotiations with the Arab states was well known. It was noted here that Mr. Rogers expressed the U.S. desire that Soviet military activity in Egypt should be halted and that no additional Soviet personnel should be dispatched to the Middle East. The diplomatic circles in the capital also noted that Mr. Rogers’ announcement, that a decision on Israel’s request for additional planes could be expected soon, should be seen in the context of the principle that it was in the American interest to assure Israel’s independence and sovereignty. This was in line with Mr. Rogers’ statement of March 23 and President Nixon’s statement May 8 which provided the background for Foreign Minister Abba Eban’s talks in Washington on May 22.