TNAG-0299-FCO40-335-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 37

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