The State Department released today the text of the United States’ Middle East peace initiative presented privately to Egypt on June 19 and disclosed in general terms by Secretary of State William P. Rogers on June 25. The proposal begins with a recommendation for mutual Arab-Israeli “restoration of the cease-fire for at least a limited period”–“effective July 1 until at least October 1.” Mr. Rogers also urged the combatants to agree to mediation by United Nations envoy Dr. Gunnar V. Jarring and to a willingness to carry out Resolution 242 (of Nov. 22. 1967) in all its points,” for the purpose of reaching “a just and lasting peace” based on mutual recognition of sovereignty and “Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in the 1967 conflict.” Resolution 242 pointedly did not refer to “all territories occupied.” Mr. Rogers’ introduction to his message to Egypt read, in part:
“I agree that the situation is at a critical point, and I think it is in our joint interest that the U.S. retain and strengthen friendly ties with all the peoples and states of the area. We hope this will prove possible and are prepared to do our part. We look to others concerned, and in particular to your government, which has so important a role to play, to move with us to seize this opportunity. If it is lost. we shall all suffer the consequences, and we would regret such an outcome very much indeed…We have counseled all the parties on the need for compromise and on the need to create an atmosphere in which peace is possible…I understand the problems that direct negotiations pose for you. and we have made it clear from the beginning that we were not proposing such an arrangement…at the onset…”
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