Pact Hailed by Western Leaders

Secretary General Kurt Waldheim welcomed the initialing of the new interim accord between Israel and Egypt and called on all parties to maintain the momentum of Mideast negotiations. In a statement issued last night, he expressed appreciation “to all those who, with patience and determination, have made this agreement possible,” Waldheim added that continuing the momentum of negotiations would open the way “to the next steps toward a comprehensive settlement, and the establishment of a just and durable peace in the Middle East, as called for by the Security Council.”

In London, the British Foreign Office welcomed the pact as “a new step on the path towards a just and lasting settlement” in the Mideast and added that the important thing now “will be to try to ensure that the momentum gained will be used to make further progress towards a comprehensive solution of the problems of the area.”

In Paris, French Justice Minister Jean Lecanuet said that the accord is a success. It does not, perhaps solve all aspects of the problem, but it is the basis for a hopeful solution, he observed, Lecanuet added that the pact will allow France to pursue her policy of parallel friendships for Israel and the Arab countries.

In Washington, David M, Blumberg, president of B’nai B’rith, cabled messages of congratulations today to Premier Yitzhak Rabin and to President Ford and Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger on the achievement of the new pact. In his cable to Rabin, Blumberg noted that although none of the alternatives was without risk, “you and your government acted with courage and statesmanship in choosing the course that holds a greater promise “for peace and increased support from the United States,” In identical messages to Ford and Kissinger, Blumberg cited Israel’s “substantial strategic concessions” as strengthening the need for U.S. military and economic aid to that country.