U.s.-egyptian Communique States Both Countries Agree to the Right of Existence of All Mideast States

A United States-Egyptian communique issued here today said the two countries agreed to “the right of existence of all states” in the Middle East. While Israel was not mentioned by name in the statement, it appeared to be among the strongest implications yet made by the Egyptian government of recognition of the Jewish State.

The communique signed by Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ismail Fahmy followed a week of talks in Washington by Fahmy with President Ford, Kissinger and the members of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees.

Fahmy’s discussions with the President and Kissinger, the communique said, “were a constructive contribution to the consultations now underway looking toward the next stage in negotiations for a just and durable peace in the Middle East–a peace which they agree should take into account the legitimate interest of all peoples in the Middle East, including the Palestinian people, and the right to existence of all states in the area.”

The statement also said that the U.S. and Egypt agree that the Geneva conference should resume “as soon as possible” with the “question of other participants from the Middle East area” to be discussed at the conference. This was an apparent reference to the demands of Egypt that the Palestine Liberation Organization should be represented at the talks.

Ford, the communique said, declared that he was dedicated to strengthening the growing friendship and trust between the U.S. and Egypt. The statement announced that Egyptian President Anwar Sadat will visit Washington later this year. The communique also spelled out the progress of the joint cooperation commission set up earlier by Egypt and the U.S. to work out economic, agricultural, scientific and cultural agreements between the two countries.