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CONFIDENTIAL
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рага
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NENAD ник 026,
026/21
cfd.
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12/10
PJ/LP3
MO 25/2/17/2
Mr Dronald SEAD
71/Mr third ps/pus
PRIME MINISTER M. Willingnons 713.10
Sur A Acland. Sur I Graham Срамат
Me Moberly Mr Gilmore
The
Any
I wanted to report on my return on the main points which arose
on my recent visits to countries in the Middle and Far East.
last hours of my tour were of course overshadowed by the events in
Egypt. The details of my conversation with President Sadat at the outset of my journey have been reported separately (Cairo tel 518)
and I shall not enlarge on them here. There were strong voices of
dissent at Sadat's policy, and, although Vice President Mubarak seems
to be well in control there might be a possibility that the recent
pattern will be shaken.
9
Middle East
2. On the broader issues the Arab/Israel problem of course dominated
our talks, the Egyptians, or at least Sadat, have been staking a great
deal on the resolution of the Sinai issue. There is an undercurrent
that once of hope in Egypt - though not shared by senior Jordanians
sag
this is out of the way, she will be able to resume a more overt relationship with other Arab countries. Ironically, the main stumbling block to acceptance was seen as Sadat himself. But there was a good deal of scepticism amongst officials about Israeli commitment to a
satisfactory outcome to the autonomy talks. There was also some doubt
whether the Israelis would be negotiating seriously and these doubts
must now become reinforced with Sadat's death.
3. In Jordan the views were naturally more clear cut. We were taken
to a point on Jordan's North West border overlooking the Jordan valley
and the West Bank. It brought home, as intended, how strong the feeling
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CONFIDENTIAL