Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger returned here from Damascus tonight and told reporters that while no agreement had been reached in four hours of talks with Syrian President Hafez Assad, “some progress” had been made. He said he would return to Damascus later this week. His remarks seemed to confirm a report from Damascus today quoting U.S. officials to the effect that Kissinger was considering prolonging his current mission in the Middle East into next week. Earlier, American sources had said he would return to Washington over the week-end.
Extension of his stay in the region could indicate progress in Kissinger’s efforts to effect a disengagement accord between Israel and Syria. observers said tonight. Kissinger went to Damascus this morning with the latest Israeli proposals, including a new map. He told reporters to night that “President Assad in return conveyed to me some Syrian considerations which I am taking back to Israel. He described his talks with Assad as “very good and very friendly.” The Secretary reportedly will fly to Cairo tomorrow for further talks with Egyptian leaders. There were also reports that he would visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Kissinger met with top Israeli officials tonight in Tel Aviv. The change of venue from Jerusalem where his talks with Israeli leaders have been held until now, was believed due to a mass rally in the capital tonight by Likud protesting any Israeli withdrawals from the 1967 cease-fire lines.
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