Secretary of State William P. Rogers said today following a 100-minute meeting with Secretary General Thant and Middle East intermediary Dr. Gunnar V. Jarring that he was “somewhat encouraged” about an interim Mideast solution, which he called a “desirable first step” toward a final settlement. Rogers told a press conference in the Secretariat lobby, in front of the Chagall window, that he had had a “useful exchange” with Thant and Dr. Jarring, and that he favored additional such discussions. Despite “difficulties,” Rogers said, he had “hope” for a peace pact, which he said Israel and Egypt both wanted. Rogers restated his confidence in Dr. Jarring and said the Swedish ambassador was “Keenly interested in the possibilities” of an interim plan to reopen the Suez Canal. Rogers, flanked by Assistant Secretary Joseph J. Sisco and United Nations Ambassador George Bush, cut the press conference off after a few minutes, explaining “I have to go now.” A spokesman for Thant said later that the Secretary General had found the discussion “very useful.” The spokesman said Dr. Jarring, in New York for “a limited duration,” would continue to “see the parties.” As usual, he provided no details. Thant will meet separately this evening with Soviet Ambassador Yakob A. Malik and Egyptian Ambassador Mohammed H. el-Zayyat.
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