Secretary General Kurt Waldheim. who has just returned from a visit to 14 West African countries, said in a press conference here today that stationing of UNEF troops as a buffer between Syrian and Israeli forces can be decided upon only after the disengagement talks between the parties are concluded. “A final answer can be given only after a successful disengagement” Waldheim said, pointing out that any decision on UNEF troops is dependent on an authorized mandate by the Security Council.
Waldheim. who said that the Mideast topic was discussed with the African governments which he had visited, expressed satisfaction that “the disengagement agreement between Egypt and Israel has now been implemented according to schedule and with full cooperation of the parties.” He said he hopes that “further progress towards a (Mideast) settlement will continue” Answering a reporter’s question Waldheim said that he will go to the Mideast when he reaches the conclusion that his personal presence “can be helpful.” He praised the role of the U.S. and the USSR in the Mideast and opined that both are “interested in solving the conflict.” He called the cooperation between the two superpowers with the UN as shown in Geneva a “turning point” in the history of the UN.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
