The King of Jordan was longing for peace. The
Israelis ought to move but he had been unable to
//3
persuade them. Both sides seemed interested in the
reopening of the Suez Canal. This factor could lead
to an interim settlement. The Egyptins doubted
however whether the Israelis would retire for more
than a limited distance and feared that a new
temporary line would become permanent. Ile folt
more pessimistic than the Americans about the
possibilities of relaxation. He feared a relapse
into stalemate. He thought it possible however that
guarantees might be devised that could help tó
1,
give the Israelis confidence. The Soviet Union was
ready to join. The United States was hesitant. We
and the French were ready. A guarantee by two
powers was conceivable. Israel might be
by the Americans and Egypt by the Russians.
guaranteed
An interim settlement seemed conceivable but a
permanent settlement seemed a long way off.
Mr Aichi wondered whether Sadat's recent suppres-
sion of the Opposition might have put the Soviet
Union off from any more positive action in the
direction of a peaceful settlement. Sir Alec Douglas-
Home agreed that the Soviet Union had been alarmed
by Sadat's action but pointed out that they had
now achieved a 15 year treaty.ab. The Egyptians
themselves had said that these developments had not
altered the existing situation very much.
CONFIDENTIAL