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Keating; Kissinger Faces a Complex Task in New Disengagement Effort

February 22, 1974
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“Secretary of State Henry Kissinger faces a more complex and sensitive task in helping bring about a disengagement of forces between Israel and Syria than he did last month in the separation with Egypt.” This evaluation was made last night by U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Keating speaking to a group of American Pioneer Women who concluded their study mission in Israel.

According to Keating, Kissinger will not be doing the same shuttle exercise as he did with Egypt but will seek this time to establish a framework for negotiations between Israel and Syria on military disengagement. “It is a delicate task, no less so than was faced earlier in helping Egypt and Israel reach subsequent agreement on separation of forces. In some aspects, this time it is more complex, more sensitive,” Keating said.

The Ambassador said that the changed conditions after the war presented an unparalleled opportunity for peace, since war was no longer an attractive alternative. He also stressed the continuing U.S. commitment to Israel’s independence and security saying that it never had been greater than under Nixon’s administration.

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