Mann: U.S. Will Make Serious Error if It Presses Israel for Concessions

Theodore R. Mann, the newly elected chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, declared today that the Carter Administration will make “a serious error” if it pressed Israel now to make concessions to Egypt in view of the impasse in negotiations between the two countries.

Addressing a press conference at the Conference headquarters here, his first since he assumed office July I, Mann charged President Anwar Sadat of Egypt with responsibility for the present deadlock in the Mideast peace negotiations.

He said that President Carter must insist now that Egypt resume negotiations with Israel, since it was Sadat who broke off the talks between the two countries after the recent foreign ministers summit meeting in Leeds, England. Mann said the proper role of the United States in the Mideast should be “to bring the parties together–not to favor one side over the other or impose its own solution.”

He also said that the consensus among American Jewry, and other segments of American society, is that Sadat has not shown a commitment to continue with negotiations and, therefore, the Carter Administration must urge the Egyptian leader to resume the peace process.

But, Mann said, in response to a question, that his feeling is that the Administration does not favor any side in the Mideast and at present is playing the role of a mediator. He said that he anticipates that relations between American Jewry and the Administration “will be good” in months to come, although he noted he was aware that there were some “negative” feelings after the Mideast plane package deal providing Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia with American warplanes.

Mann recalled that in successfully pressing for Congressional approval of jet fighter sales to Egypt and Saudi Arabia in May, Carter had argued that sending arms to these two countries would support the forces of “moderation” in the Middle East and promote the cause of peace. “But the assurance of American arms has hardened the Egyptian and Saudi position.”

The Conference of Presidents leader expressed “deep gratification” at the passage a week ago, by a vote of 87-0, of a Senate resolution urging approval of additional advanced aircraft for Israel, continued U.S. economic and military assistance and the encouragement of direct negotiations between Israel and Egypt based on the establishment of “secure, recognized and defensible borders between Israel and its neighbors.”