Premier Yitzhak Rabin returned from the United States this afternoon and said that while the U.S. and Israel agree on many issues there are some problems on which they do not see eye to eye. But Rabin stressed that he is convinced Israel can continue fostering its friendship with the U.S. without undermining Israel’s freedom of action in such essential spheres as security, the economy and the search for peace.
(See separate stories on Rabin’s U.S. visit.)
“I was glad to exchange views with President Gerald Ford,” the Premier said upon arriving at Ben Gurion Airport. “We had three working talks and one meeting over dinner which was an excellent opportunity to have a free talk without people monitoring every word that is said.” He said he was satisfied that so soon after Ford assumed the Presidency he had an opportunity to exchange views with him. He said his visit was pleasant and fruitful and that for the immediate future the U.S. and Israel have a common basis upon which to solve the various problems.
SITUATION SHOULD BE CLEAR SOON
Rabin said that in his talks with Ford, Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger and Secretary of Treasury William Simon, practical conclusions were reached for strengthening Israel and there were assurances as to long-range military assistance. (Political sources noted that Rabin seemed satisfied with the immediate military aid Israel is to receive but did not express the same satisfaction on long-term aid.)
Asked about the time-table for the next move in the Middle East negotiations, Rabin said he did not want to go into detail but noted that the United States has to discuss the next step with the other parties involved and he was sure the situation would be clear in several weeks.
On the Palestinian issue, Rabin said he found understanding in the U.S. for the Israeli position that there is no room for a third state between Israel and Jordan, and that Israel rules out negotiations with the Palestine Liberation Organization. However, Rabin said he was convinced the Palestinian issue would be taken up at the United Nations and that the U.S. will not be able to prevent either discussions on it or the adoption of resolutions that will be backed by the Arabs, the Communist countries, the Afro-Asian bloc and some European countries.
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