94. Editorial Note
According to notes taken at the meeting, the following exchange concerning the Israeli withdrawal question took place at the Secretary’s Staff Meeting on February 14:
“The Secretary said that thought should be given to the explanation of our position on the Israeli withdrawal, especially with reference to the Arabs, noting that we faced the danger of being caught in the middle of this situation. Mr. Rountree said the Arab attitude was that the Israelis should not be permitted to make any gains as the result of their aggression and that our assurances in the case of the Gulf of Aqaba were considered as such. The Secretary emphasized that we did not give anything which was not already provided for in UN resolutions and previous Egyptian statements. The inconsistencies of the Egyptian official and semi-official attitudes in this matter and the involvement of the UN Secretary General and the Secretary in this situation were discussed. In this connection, the Secretary noted that the statement he made yesterday evening did not appear m the morning press.”
Regarding the Secretary’s statement, see infra. The notes also indicate that as a result of this exchange the Bureau of Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs was asked “to prepare promptly an explanation of our position in connection with our efforts to influence the Israeli withdrawal which could be used for presentation to the Arab nations.” (Department of State, Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 63 D 75)