President Nixon was pre-occupied yesterday with communications from Secretary of State Henry A, Kissinger regarding Israeli-Syrian disengagement, the White House said today. Deputy press secretary Gerald Warren declined, however, to specify what messages the President received from Kissinger and when his instructions were to the Secretary of State, “The Middle East is very important to him (the President) and has taken up much of his time recently,” Warren said.
(See P. 3 for Kissinger and Israel Cabinet talks.)
Warren noted that “as the talks develop” in the Middle East, “the Secretary sends back reports on specific points that need Presidential guidance and he sends back guidance to the secretary.” Warren refused to comment on reports that Kissinger has made progress toward a separation of forces between Israel and Syria. “Any specific assessment of progress must come from the Secretary’s party. That’s the proper place. I’m hopeful disengagement can be reached,” Warren told reporters.
Asked about reports that Nixon has communicated directly with Israeli Premier Golda Meir, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat or indirectly with the Syrians, Warren replied “We don’t as a rule discuss Presidential communications from here.” When newsmen suggested that the U.S. may be moving faster toward disengagement, faster than the situation warrants, Warren said. “Obviously we are interested in seeing the fighting stop and disengagement reached.”
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