U.S. May Offer Ideas on West Bank

The United States has made it clear that it will offer its own “ideas” in the Egyptian-Israeli talks regarding the West Bank and Gaza Strip should the governments of Israel and Egypt fail to progress towards an agreement themselves. This was the position taken by the U. S. in the negotiations that ultimately led to an American proposal that Israel accepted first and afterwards was accepted by Egypt after Egypt brought in modifications before the peace treaty was signed.

After State Department spokesman Hodding Carter said last week that the U. S. has no plan now regarding the Egyptian-Israeli talks but “maybe later” it would, he was asked by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency to elaborate on his remarks. Carter replied that the U. S. “procedure is exactly the same” as in the Egyptian-Israeli discussions that led to their treaty. The U. S., Carter said, “is a full partner” in the negotiations but it is “leaving the process for the two parties to start.” Then, “if it is useful,” the U. S. would supply ideas, he added.

In related developments, Egyptian Ambassador Ashraf Ghorbal visited the State Department last Friday on “aspects of these talks, ” beginning May 26 in EI Arish between Israel and Egypt. The Jordanian foreign policy advisor to King Hussein will be holding talks at the State Department this week.

Secretary of State Cyrus Vance will head the U. S. delegation to EI Arish for the start of the talks, but after the firs day he will leave for meetings in Europe and not return to the Middle East, at least not immediately. It is still undecided who will head the U. S. delegation after Vance leaves. Ambassador Robert Strauss, who is meeting with State Department officials on Middle East matters, has been appointed to handle the negotiations for the U. S. but he is not expected to go to the Mideast until September.