The United States’ Mideast proposals presented to Britain, France and the Soviet Union touch on a timetable for Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories and envisage some sort of contractual agreement that would assure Israel of “secure and recognized boundaries” called for in the Security Council’s Nov. 22, 1967 resolution, it was reliably learned here yesterday. The U.S. proposals were presented by Ambassador Charles W. Yost, U.S. representative to the UN, and represent the first spelling-out of the American position on the Middle East to the other Big Powers. Informed sources here said they were thought to be acceptable to the Soviet Union and France as subjects for Big Four discussions. U.S. officials here and in Washington predicted that Big Four talks on the Mideast would get underway at the UN soon, possibly next week.
The proposals were understood to contain references to a demilitarized zone in the Sinai Peninsula and free transit for Israeli ships through the Suez Canal and the Strait of Tiran. A major point was said to be a reference to border adjustments that shall not reflect “the weight of conquest.” This was interpreted as meaning that Israel would have to give up most of the Arab territories it seized in the June, 1967 war in return for agreed and secure boundaries. The American note was also said to hint at the establishment of a new UN peace-keeping force in the Mideast, a move Israel strongly rejects, and to have mentioned some sort of equitable solution of the Arab refugee problem.
The emphasis of the American position was said to be the establishment of peace, not merely a cessation of belligerency. The U.S. also reportedly insisted that the Big Four cannot impose a settlement but must operate through Ambassador Gunnar V. Jarring, the UN’s special envoy to the Mideast. The emphasis on Dr. Jarring’s mission was reportedly designed to provide him with specific suggestions he could present to the parties for implementing the November, 1967 resolution. These would have the additional authority of Big Four backing. Dr. Jarring has submitted a list of 12 questions to the governments of Israel, Egypt and Jordan designed to elicit their views on a settlement. Israel was reportedly asked to specify what it would consider secure boundaries. Cairo was asked if it was ready to participate in a signed document and whether it envisaged a package deal.
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