Syrian Foreign Minister Abdel Halim Khadam today accused Israel of sabotaging Arab efforts for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East. He made this accusation as he emerged from a meeting with French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing here today during a stop-over in Paris on his way back to Syria from his trip to Washington where he had met with President Ford and Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger.
“We believe Israel does not want peace,” declared the Syrian minister as he left the Elysee Palace (French White House). “On the contrary, we believe Israel is doing everything possible to sabotage Arab peace efforts.” Khadam was apparently referring to the military mobilization exercises carried out by Israel last weekend. These exercises are said to have caused great tension for the Egyptians and Syrians in the Sinai and in the Golan Heights.
At the same time, Khadam stressed the necessity of reopening the Geneva Mideast peace conference in the near future. “Despite the complexity and seriousness of the present Mideast situation, the Geneva conference can–and must–be reconvened before the end of the year,” he declared. He further stated that France’s role in a Mideast peace settlement “could be primary in Geneva and elsewhere.”
Khadam said that he and Giscard d’Estaing did not discuss the provision of French arms to Syria. He said they conferred on the Mideast situation and the bilateral relations between France and Syria. Khadam also said he handed a personal message from Syria’s President Hafez Assad to the French President. Khadam is due to leave for Damascus tomorrow.
NC Bulletin Sept. 2. Labor Day.
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