SAUDI ARABIA: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KURT WALDHEIM ARRIVES FOR TALKS WITH KING KHALID AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON MIDDLE EAST PEACE.

Record ID: 189816

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KURT WALDHEIM ARRIVES FOR TALKS WITH KING KHALID AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON MIDDLE EAST PEACE.
  • Date: 7th February 1977
  • Summary: 1. MV Troops line up as plane stops on tarmac. 0.08 2. MV Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Saudi Foreign Minister walks forward to greet U.N. Secretary General, Kurt Waldheim. 0.26 3. MV Prince Saud and other officials walk into airport terminal. (2 shots) 0.43 4. MV INT Prince Saud and Waldheim seated. (4 shots) 0.56 5. CU UN Flag 1.00 6. MV Officials get into car and drive off watched by photographers. (3 shots) 1.20 7. GV EXT. Royal Palace. 1.23 8. MV Prince Saud and Waldheim enter. 1.28 9. MV Prince Saud, King Khalid (centre) and Waldheim talking. 1.52 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Al-Riyadh added there were two major differences from Dr. Waldheim's previous visit -- greater Arab readiness to accept a political solution, and the fact that he had a green light from the United States to meet Mr. Arafat. Observers quoted by Reuters say Mr. Vance stands a better chance than Dr. Waldheim of overcoming the dilemma of PLO participation in the Geneva conference. They point out that the United States can wield more influence over Israel. Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 22nd February 1977 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Reuters ID: LVA260VGPBKSYCN0HIWL79USJY7H
  • Story Text: INTRODUCTION The Secretary General of the United Nations, Kurt Waldheim, arrived in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh on Sunday (6 February) on the third leg of a tour of Arab countries and Israel.

    SYNOPSIS: Dr. Waldheim had already visited Egypt and Syria in his efforts to try and reconvene the Geneva Middle East peace conference which ended in deadlock more than three years ago. He was met in Riyadh by the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud Al-Faisal and other government officials. A representative of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the PLO was also present.

    In Syria, Dr. Waldheim had talks with the PLO's chief Yasser Arafat. One of the main obstacles to the resumption of the Geneva peace talks is the PLO's participation. The Arabs want the PLO to take part as full members, which both Israel and the United States have firmly rejected. Syria had been at special pains to promote a common stand with Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon.

    Foreign diplomats quoted by Reuters News Agency say Saudi Arabia's leaders are prepared to back any position upon which Israel's Arab neighbours can agree. Egyptian and Syrian leaders have impressed on Dr. Waldheim the need for the Geneva conference to be resumed next month, with PLO participation. But Dr. Waldheim said the procedure to be adopted was more important than the timing.

    After talks with Prince Saud, Dr. Waldheim went to the Royal Palace to meet King Khalid and Crown Prince Fahd. The Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadh has said Dr. Waldheim was to be told that the Arabs were in agreement, which he hasn't heard before, and that they wouldn't let the Middle East go back to a state of "no war, no peace." The paper, which reflects thinking within the Royal family, linked Dr. Waldheim's visit with that of U.S. Secretary of state, Cyrus Vance, who's to tour the Middle East later this month.
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