FBIS Coverage of the Middle East Peace Talks: 1977 December

PPROVED FOR RELEASE CIA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS DIVISION AR 70-14 13NOV201
V. 6 Dec 77 N 3 ISRAEL
[Question] Is it a new shuttle diplomacy?
[Answer] I do not think so. However, there is room to believe that this will be an
opportunity to present each other with impressions about recent developments which are
very .dramatic and even surprising to a certain extent. In addition 1 think that this
constitutes a serious U.S. attempt and effort to bring additional Arab countries to the
negotiating table with Israel. They have not become discouraged over this possibility.
Therefore, I want to say that we welcome this visit by Secretary of State Vance in the
region and in Israel. He will be received with great sympathy by the government, the
Knesset and our people. I have no doubt about this. I am already telling him today;
welcome to Israel. [end recording]
Morning Editorials
TA060756Y Jerusalem Domestic Service in Hebrew 0500 GMT 6 Dec 77 TA
[From review of morning press editorials]
[Excerpt] The upcoming visit of U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance to Israel at the end
of this week and developments at the Tripoli conference are the main subjects this
morning.
DAVAR writes that Vance's visit bears evidence of the fact that, even under the new
circumstances in our region, the United States will continue to play a first-rank role in
the Middle East and in endeavors to settle the Israeli-Arab conflict.
HA'AREZ says it goes without saying that the U.S..secretary of state is a welcome visitor
here at any time. Vance's intention to persuade Jordan and Syria not to absent themselves
from the meetings the Egyptian president has called in Cairo should be welcomed. The
prospect of direct negotiations between us and Egypt, and perhaps also with Jordan or
even with Syria, has a strong attraction, encouraging a feeling of independence in Israel,
a feeling not altogether different from that which is being felt in Egypt.
1AL HAMISHMAR writes that it will be impossible to postpone our moment of truth or to
avoid adopting resolutions, which is especially difficult for the present Israeli cabinet.
Recent developments have confronted the cabinet with a most difficult dilemma: to offer
our contributions for the great prospect toward a peace settlement, or to cut .off that
prospect while it is still in the bud. Unfortunately, the paper adds, there is no
indication yet of the way the Israeli Government intends to take if it wishes to advance
the prospects of peace.
HAZOFE believes Vance will see in the course of his visit in the Middle East an Arab world
immersed in a rift among Egypt, which favors political negotiations even while postulating
its grave principles; Syria, which rejects serious negotiations; and the most extreme
rejectionist countries, which are subject to Soviet influence. The U.S. state secretary
will also be able to see the PLO and all its consistently murderous and destructive
instincts.
Afternoon Papers
TA060940Y Jerusalem Domestic Service in Hebrew 1000 GMT 6 Dec 77 TA
[Review of afternoon press editorials]
[Text] Both papers contemplate moves expected in the Middle East by the end of the week.