The political momentum toward a Middle East settlement picked up visibly this weekend following Secretary of State William P. Rogers’ announcement in Washington Friday that he will visit five Mideast countries including Israel early next month. At the same time, a United Nations spokesman announced that Secretary General U Thant will meet next Wednesday in Geneva with his special Middle East representative, Ambassador Gunnar V. Jarring. Dr. Jarring returned to his ambassadorial post in Moscow for what UN spokesmen termed his Easter vacation. It now seems apparent that Dr. Jarring’s return to Moscow also was prompted by the stalled peace talks and his feeling that his task at the UN was an academic one at this time. However, his meeting with Thant may indicate that both officials now feel that a thaw in the peace talks is taking place. Speaking at a press conference, Rogers said that President Nixon “asked me to take this trip” because he “believes that the United States should seek every opportunity, expend every effort, take every chance in playing a constructive and energetic role in the search for peace in the area.” Rogers will be accompanied by Asst. Secy. of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Joseph J. Sisco. The UN spokesman announcing Thant’s plans said the meeting with Jarring was for a “full exchange of information and views.” Israeli circles here said the Thant-Jarring meeting was no surprise considering “the concentration of all diplomatic efforts” at this time on an interim arrangement between Israel and Egypt to reopen the Suez Canal.
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