America is convinced that the Arab states have come to accept the existence of the State of Israel, Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger declared at a press conference here yesterday. At the same time, the time-hardened Middle East pattern of U.S. and Israel versus the USSR and the Arabs was breaking down, he said, giving way to “a more complex relationship,” with the U.S. now debriefing both sides.
The new Arab attitude, which encompassed “even the more radical states like Syria,” was “an entirely new experience for Israel, and it is also difficult and a painful adjustment for Israel to see the polarization…changing to a more complex relationship,” Kissinger said. “I believe that as a result of this (Nixon’s) trip and of the events that will follow this trip, that Israel will understand that its long-term security is more surely guaranteed by what is now going on and in fact it is the only way to assure it. This doesn’t mean, however, that as one goes through particular phases there may not be elements of uncertainty and even elements of pain, but we will face them with a sense of partnership and understanding,” the Secretary added.
SAYS NIXON ALLAYED NUCLEAR FEARS
The Kissinger statement, made at a hastily-arranged early morning press conference, was seen here as part of the deliberate American effort during the Presidential visit to persuade Israel, gently but unmistakably, towards a greater willingness to contemplate political hazards and concessions–while at the same time assuring Israel on continued American support for its military and economic needs.
Kissinger announced that Israel’s Foreign Minister Yigal Allon would visit Washington next month, and Premier Yitzhak Rabin “at an early date to discuss further progress towards a Middle East settlement. The Secretary said that consideration of the Palestinian question was “premature” at this stage, adding that the “most efficient way for the Palestinians to be brought into the process is through a Jordanian negotiation.”
On the nuclear aid agreement with Egypt, Kissinger stressed the safeguards attached which, he said, were “adequate to prevent the diversion of nuclear materials for military purposes.” He said Israel’s anxiety was understandable, but he believed that Nixon had succeeded in allaying them “and I believe this whole matter is going to blow over very quickly.”
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