Foreign Minister Norbert Schmeltzer of the Netherlands said today that he believed Egypt is seeking a peaceful solution of the Middle East conflict despite the recent provocative statements by President Anwar Sadat. Schmeltzer spoke in the Dutch Parliament in reply to almost unanimous expressions of concern over Sadat’s war threats. He said the Egyptians were really hoping for peace and “so actually were the Israelis.” Schmeltzer said Holland did not believe that it or any other country of the European Economic Community could play a mediating role in the Middle East dispute. He said Holland hoped to be able to extend economic and social aid in due course to the development of the region and would pay particular attention to these who have suffered most from the conflict, the Palestinian refugees.
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