The Carter Administration sought today to remove the impression that the Israeli-Egyptian peace talks at Blair House have run into a serious obstacle that can be surmounted only by another summit meeting of the heads of state.
That view gained credence from an exchange of remarks overheard by reporters between President Carter and Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan, co-head of the Israeli negotiating team, just before a luncheon at Blair House today for the Israeli, Egyptian and American delegations which Carter attended. Carter said to Dayan, “We still find a few areas of disagreement.”
The Israeli replied, “The key to changes of the attitudes on the positions of the delegations is not just here. So you have the full information from all of us. But whether you can obtain a change of position through the delegations here is very doubtful. It is not Camp David with the heads of state here.” Carter replied, “Well, I recognize that is one of the serious problems. I will seek your advice.”
When Carter left the luncheon two hours later he appeared ruffled and uncharacteristically testy with reporters who questioned him about his exchange with Dayan. Asked if “things are stalled,” he replied brusquely, “No. Just routine negotiations.” Asked if it was the mechanics of the diplomatic process or substance that caused the problems, Carter retorted, “We have no problems.” When reporters pressed him as to whether Dayan was suggesting a new summit conference, Carter said, “That’s enough answers” and left Blair House.
SEES NO BASIS FOR DEADLOCK VIEW
Earlier, while the luncheon was in progress, White House Press Secretary Jody Powell briefed newsmen and seemed to reflect White House displeasure with Dayan’s overheard remarks. He characterized them as “informal comments–not a carefully worked out diplomatic statement.” He also said it would be an “over interpretation” to talk of changes in position.
Asked if Dayan’s words indicated a new summit meeting was called for, Powell said: “I don’t read that. I would warn you against trying to read interpretation of that prospect. As far as I know, nothing has happened to change the views presented previously.” He said he knew of nothing that would support the conclusion that a deadlock has arisen in the Blair House talks.
However, Powell acknowledged that Carter’s attendance at the Blair House lunch was “more than a courtesy call.” He said the President is being kept abreast of what is taking place at the conference. “I am sure he is very precisely aware of where everyone stood,” Powell said.
The major difficulty at this juncture appears to be Egypt’s sudden demand for a treaty review after five years. Israel sees this as a direct linkage to the five-year transition period for the West Bank and Gaza Strip called for in the Camp David accords.
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