State Department spokesman Robert J. McCloskey said today that while the Department hopes for Middle East peace progress, “No one here sees a clear path yet ahead by which we could guarantee talks will begin.” McCloskey was commenting on reporters’ questions about Secretary of State William P. Rogers’ remark yesterday on ABC-TV’s “Issues and Answers,” in regard to his recent meetings with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed H. el-Zayyat.
Rogers told newsmen: “I think we have an understanding of each other’s position and I think that we have some hope that in the next few months we may be able to start the negotiating process.” McCloskey said Rogers’ assessment was “based on collective discussions the Secretary had with various Foreign Ministers in New York.”
Asked if the United States, having registered an unexpected veto–only its second–in the Security Council last month, would use its veto power more often from now on, McCloskey replied: “That’s a hypothetical situation. As a matter of policy I have read a clear determination in this administration not to avoid the use of a veto.” The US last month vetoed a resolution that condemned Israeli reprisal raids into Lebanon but not the Munich massacre of Israelis that provoked them. McCloskey said the US would “speak with” both Israel and Lebanon about yesterday’s Israeli raids.
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