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U.S. Willing to Have Autonomy Talks Resume but First Concern is the Deteriorating Position of the We

February 24, 1981
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The Reagan Administration today made it clear that while it is willing to have the West Bank-Gaza Strip autonomy talks resume, its first concern is the “deteriorating position of the West in the Middle East.

The matter arose when the State Department was asked about a press report that senior State Department officials see no value in having the talks now among Egypt, Israel and the United States on the autonomy issues. The talks have been stalled since last May and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat indicated last week that resumption of the autonomy negotiations should be postponed until after the Israeli elections June 30.

In response to the question on the present U.S. view on resumption of the talks, Department spokesman William Dyess made the following statement:

“We remain fully committed for a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. We are ready to participate for further discussions in the context of the Camp David framework at a time mutually agreeable to Egypt and Israel. We remain hopeful that participation in these discussions can be broadened at an appropriate time with the agreement of our partners. We are convinced however, that the highest priority of the United States in that region should be to arrest the deteriorating position of the West vis a vis the Soviet Union. Achievement of that goal will itself provide a beneficial context for the future of the peace process.”

CAN PROCEED ON BOTH TRACKS

Asked whether this meant that the resumption of the autonomy talks would be placed behind the security issue and that he was suggesting a delay in reconvening the autonomy talks, Dyess replied “not necessarily. You can proceed on both tracks.”

Dyess also said that the United States is “consulting with governments in the area” regarding what he called the West’s deterioration. He pointed to Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the Iraq-Iran war and the holding of American hostages for 444 days in Teheran as evidence of this deterioration.

On other matters Dyess said that he was “aware” that an Israeli “incursion” took place in Lebanon last night against Palestine Liberation Organization installations. “As I noted before,” he said, “this is a matter of concern. It adds to tension in the area. There is nothing more specific that I have to say.” (See related story.)

He said he had no information that Secretary of State Alexander Haig will make a trip to the Middle East shortly, as reported yesterday by Israel television. Dyess also said that Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Michael Sterner will visit Egypt and Israel to discuss creation of the multinational force that is to police the Sinai after Israel’s final withdrawal in April 1982.

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