White House and State Department sources said today that the Carter Administration does not expect to invite Shimon Peres to Washington prior to the Israeli elections May 17, but did not rule out the possibility of another leading Israeli politician making a private visit in the next five weeks.
These sources indicated to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that they were not concerned about any change in Israeli government policy as the result of Premier Yitzhak Rabin’s resignation but were concerned about what the complexion of the government will be in view of the country’s political turmoil. The feeling here is that no party or political grouping presently constituted will gain a plurality and the government’s composition will be a new element in peace negotiations.
In addition, some feelings exist that the Labor Party will go into the election stronger than had Rabin been its leader because of the disaffection of many Israelis toward Rabin and the inclination of these to favor Yigal Yadin, the leader of the Democratic Movement for Change. Peres, it was indicated, may not only halt that swing but help turn the tide back, one official source said. Another held that the spectrum of Israeli public opinion will remain about the same as it is in present circumstances about Middle East maneuvering regardless of party alignments.
Should the Labor Party win the election with Peres becoming the Premier, he doubtlessly will come to Washington in the late spring or early summer for a meeting with President Carter.
ALLON, EBAN MAY VISIT CAPITAL
Meanwhile, however, it would not be surprising if Foreign Minister Yigal Allon arrives for an ostensibly private purpose, such as a speaking tour, and sandwiches a Washington trip in between. Nor would it be a surprise, it was said, if Abba Eban, who is slated to be the Foreign Minister in a Peres government, were to come here before the election. A State Department source cautiously noted that whoever becomes Israel’s Premier will be invited to Washington shortly after he forms his government.
Peres is not being invited not because of his political views, JTA was told, but because Carter’s schedule is just too crowded to permit an official call from a potential Israeli Premier. The President is to meet with three other top Middle Eastern leaders in the next six weeks and go to Europe for a NATO meeting.
Jordan’s King Hussein is expected to arrive April 24 for meetings the following two days similar to those recently held by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Rabin. While in Europe early next month for the NATO meeting, Carter will see Syrian President Hafez Assad May 9 in Geneva. Around May 24 and 25 Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Faud will be at the White House. While Carter is said to still expect to hold talks with Lebanese President Elias Sarkis, no date has been scheduled.
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