Rabin to Meet with Top U.S. Officials

For the third time since he took office as Premier of Israel in June, 1974, Yitzhak Rabin will arrive here next week for talks with President Ford and other top U.S. officials. They are regarded by observers here as the most crucial in the 28 years of U.S.-Israeli relations.

Rabin, accompanied by his wife, will receive a full dress welcome on the White House lawn by President Ford next Tuesday. This will be the Israeli leader’s second State visit to Washington. His first, as Premier, was in September, 1974. His meeting here with Ford last June was not a State occasion.

The Premier, who will begin his eight-day visit to the U.S. Jan. 25. will address a Joint session of Congress Jan. 28. He received a formal invitation from House Speaker Carl Albert last, week and it will be the first time an Israeli leader has been given this honor. Rabin will speak before the National Press Club on Jan. 29.

Rabin, who served for five years as Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., will be guest of honor at a White House dinner to be tendered by President Ford Tuesday evening. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger will host a luncheon in his honor. Rabin will give a reception for American officials.

EXPECTED ELEMENTS IN TALKS

Although no agenda has been announced, it is virtually certain that Rabin’s talks with Ford, Kissinger and others will include discussions of the Lebanese civil war and the impact of its outcome, the problem of further Israeli negotiations with Syria for a new interim agreement on the Golan Heights and the composition of future Middle East peace talks, including the Geneva conference. The U.S. Administration has made it clear that it insists on movement toward a settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict this year for domestic and international political reasons.