The United States has given certain promises and intimations to Israel and Egypt which induced them to accept Secretary of State William P. Rogers’ peace initiative, it was learned here today. According to informed sources, these were conveyed to the respective governments by Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Joseph J. Sisco. Mr. Sisco reportedly promised the Egyptian government the U.S. would do all it could to see to it that Israel evacuated a major part of the occupied Arab territories in return for a peace treaty with Egypt. Mr. Sisco is also reported to have made it clear that the U.S. would not tolerate Soviet assistance to Egypt. in an attempt to cross the Suez Canal and breach the Israeli lines. The American stand indicated to Egypt that the U.S. was the key to the return of its lost territories and at the same time intimated to the Israelis that they can have peace only if they agree to withdraw from the major part of the Arab lands they occupied in the June, 1967 war. According to sources here the American position explains the fact that Moscow has not acceded to Egypt’s request for military assistance in crossing the Suez Canal. The Kremlin wants to avoid a confrontation with the U.S. and induced President Nasser to accept the American peace plan, the sources said.
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