The State Department said today that Israel’s request for more Phantom jets was “under continuing study and review.” Department spokesman Charles Bray made that statement at today’s press briefing against the background of newspaper reports that the US has decided not to sell Israel more Phantoms at this time because the Soviet Union has been exercising restraint in arms shipments to Egypt.
Those reports were apparently based on an interview with Secretary of State William P. Rogers published in the Nov. 22 issue of US News and World Report. Rogers was quoted as saying that the military balance has not shifted in the Middle East. State Department officials said yesterday that Rogers’ remarks stemmed from a review of the Mideast military situation which ended Nov. 1 and indicated that Israel still retains military superiority.
Observers here said, however, that the Rogers interview heralded no new position by the State Department on the question of Phantoms for Israel. The phrase, “under continuing study and review,” has been used by the State Department all along as a diplomatic stall. The reaffirmation by Rogers in his interview comes at a time when the Egyptian delegation at the United Nations is preparing to open a debate on the Middle East early next month.
Rogers’ statement is therefore seen by observers here as a way of assuring Egypt and other Arab states that the US intends to act as an “honest broker” in efforts to achieve an interim Middle East solution. The US is trying to keep all options open and fears that a commitment at this time to sell Israel jets would force Egypt to scuttle interim negotiations and nullify any effort by the US in its Mideast efforts. Israel has refused to resume substantive negotiations for an interim Suez agreement with Egypt before it is assured that the delivery of Phantoms will be resumed.
Bray said today that American “suggestions for intensified negotiations in closer proximity still stand for Israel and Egypt to reach an interim agreement to reopen the Suez Canal.” He added, “We do not now have an agreement from either side to reach the process.” He said Israel has asked for clarifications but could not say when they will be forthcoming. He said also “We will be in touch with Egypt.” Asked if the US thought negotiations could go forward even without Phantom deliveries to Israel, Bray replied, “We hope so.” He said the US preferred to continue with “quiet diplomacy.”
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