Kissinger’s Proposal for Multilateral Meeting Seen As Device to Placate Arab Anger Toward Egypt

Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger’s proposal in his United Nations speech today for an “informal, multilateral meeting to assess conditions and to discuss the future” of Middle East peace negotiations was immediately seen by observers here as a diplomatic device to placate Arab anger toward Egypt for signing the Sinai accord with Israel and which eventually may open the door to participation by the Palestine Liberation Organization in the Geneva conference sponsored by the UN.

U.S. officials went to extraordinary lengths to explain that U.S. consultations with “Middle Eastern states” was only one of three options that Kissinger had in mind. They pointed out that he also spoke of Syrian-Israel negotiations and a formal Geneva meeting. Noting that consultations on an informal meeting had just begun and would continue over the coming weeks, officials said the informal discussions would not be under UN auspices.

When questioned closely on possible participation by the PLO, a top official noted that he spoke very explicitly and deliberately of “states.” Asked if the Arabs would sit down with Israel even at informal sessions, the official said that the consultation forms have yet to be arranged.

The fact that Kissinger announced the proposal at this time, so soon after its apparent inception, indicated to informed observers that its purpose is to mollify Arabs, especially the Syrian and Palestinian leaders who are expressing anger over their view that Egypt gave too much to Israel even though the Sinai agreements show Egypt clearly stands to reap military and economic gains with U.S. support. (By Joseph Polakoff)