UNITED NATIONS: The United Arab Republic yesterday [Feb 22] informed U.N. envoy Gunnar Jarring that its offer for a peace agreement with Israel will become invalid if it is not matched by a positive Israeli response. The UAR Ambassador Mohammad el-Zayyat told ‘Reuter’ after his call on Dr Jarring that the UAR proposal was a conditional one, and that Israel must fulfil the conditions if the offer were to stand. President Anwar Sadat proposed a peace agreement conditional upon total Israeli withdrawal from the areas occupied in 1967, according to informed diplomatic sources.

The Israeli Government said in a statement yesterday that Israel “will be ready to discuss the withdrawal of armed forces towards secure recognised and agreed boundaries, to be established in peace agreements”, but also reiterated its position that it will not withdraw from the pre-June, 1967, borders.

Meanwhile, according to U.N. diplomatic sources, Israel’s reply to Dr. Jarring’s proposals will include details of the “Secure and guaranteed frontiers” but no map will accompany it. ... In Tel Aviv, a highly authoritative source said yesterday that the Israeli Government would insist on more than minor changes in the pre-1967 war boundaries....

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2021