Kissinger with Tears in His Eyes, Bids Rabin Somber Farewell

Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger could scarcely hold back his tears as he bid Premier Yitzhak Rabin a somber farewell at Ben Gurion Airport today. The Secretary was returning to Washington after his 15 days of tireless “shuttle” diplomacy failed to achieve a second-stage agreement between Israel and Egypt in Sinai. It was Kissinger’s first acknowledged diplomatic failure in the Middle East.

His voice choked, as he told the Premier, before reporters and television cameras, that today was a sad day for the United States which has invested so much effort and hope in moving the Middle East closer to peace; and a sad day for Israel which needs and wants peace so very much.

Rabin shook Kissinger’s hand and told the Secretary that he was convinced that he had done more than any human being could do toward bringing peace to this region. He said he was sorry the efforts did not yield the wished for results and that the talks between Israel and Egypt have been suspended. He added that he hoped and believed that despite this setback, relations between Israel and the United States, based on so many elements of friendship and common interests, will remain unharmed.

Kissinger, in return, thanked Rabin for the hospitality extended to him. He noted that the American and Israeli negotiators worked together for the past two weeks in their traditional spirit of friendship. He said the goal of bringing peace will not be given up, and the U.S. will continue to contribute to a just and lasting peace in the area, to give the young people here the right to live without war. Kissinger praised Rabin’s wisdom in conducting the talks and his dedication toward the goal of peace.

ISRAELIS AWAIT REPORT

Before going to the airport for his final leave-taking, Kissinger paid a courtesy visit on former Premier Golda Meir at her Tel Aviv home. After 65 minutes of private talks with Israel’s elder stateswoman, Kissinger emerged from her flat smiling. Mrs. Meir told reporters later that she and Kissinger talked as friends, as they always have. She said that after listening to his report of the past two weeks of negotiations she fully backed the Rabin government’s decision not to yield to Egyptian demands.

Most Israelis seemed to share Mrs. Meir’s view today, at least for the time being. They learned of the collapse of the talks in the wee hours of the morning. The weather was hot and stifling, one of the warmest pre-Passover nights on record. Doors and windows were open all over Tel Aviv and radio and television sets were on, mostly broadcasting pop music from Europe. It was well past midnight when a news flash interrupted the regular programs to announce the failure of the negotiations.

Israelis were told that their government had been prepared to give up important positions to the Egyptians if only the latter would formally renounce belligerency. They were told that as an alternative, Israel had offered a smaller withdrawal in Sinai for a less far-reaching political undertaking. But Cairo rejected all. If Israelis were saddened and dismayed by the ominous turn of events, they were, “doves” and “hawks” alike, solidly behind their government’s decision. (See separate story.)