U.S. Angry over Leaks of Aide-memoire Contents to Israeli Press

The U.S. lodged an unofficial protest with Israel today against apparent leaks to the Israeli press of part of the contents of the American aide-memoire to Britain, France and the Soviet Union containing U.S. proposals on the Middle East, it was learned today. Local newspapers here quoted some purported details such as insistence that Arab refugees be taken back and the idea of establishing demilitarized zones. The U.S. protest, which reportedly stemmed directly from the White House, asserted that the leaks had “done damage.”

U.S. anger was believed to be the reason there has been no official comment yet on the proposals although their contents were made known to the Israeli delegation to the UN as well as to the Arabs. A statement of Israeli policy on the Big Four Mideast talks was expected following tomorrow’s special cabinet meeting which will be devoted to Foreign Minister Abba Eban’s report on his recent visit to the U.S. Mr. Eban met with Premier Golda Meir for two hours today in preparation for the meeting. The impression here was that Israel will reiterate its opposition to the Four Power talks.

Mr. Eban returned yesterday from the U.S. via London and expressed satisfaction with his talks with British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Foreign Secretary Michael Stewart. Sources said that Mr. Stewart explained why Britain favored Four Power talks which, he reportedly stressed, were not intended to impose a solution but to interpret authoritatively the Security Council resolution and to strengthen the peace-seeking mission of Dr. Jarring. Mr. Eban was said to have made it clear that Israel would not sacrifice the security of its present position until it was assured of a genuine and lasting peace with its neighbors. Mrs. Meir told the Hebrew University board of governors today that “Israel will never agree to be a country, like Czechoslovakia, whose destiny, future, security and borders are determined by others.”