Since the publication of the Joint U.S.-Soviet statement on the Middle East, Israeli leaders have made strenuous efforts to realign Israel's policy with that of the United States. American suggestions that Israel was well aware of the nature and scope of the U.S.Soviet discussions on the Middle East that resulted in the joint statement were denied by Israel. In New York, Foreign Minister Dayan met for hours with President Carter and Secretary Vance in an effort to resolve the Israel-U.S. differences, and finally emerged with an understanding which became known as the Israel-U.S. working poper on Geneva. In this paper, Israel in effect rejected the U.S.-Soviet statement, insisted on Resolution 242 as the basis for talks but said that 242 did not mean territorial withdrawal; the PLO was not mentioned and there would be no Palestinian state. Syria at once rejected the working paper. Egypt reserved judgement,
Working paper on suggestions for the resumption of the Geneva Peace Conference.
1. The Arab parties will be represented by a unified Arab delegation, which will include Palestinian Arabs. After the opening session, the conference will split into working groups.
2. The working groups for the negotiation and conclusion of peace treaties will be formed as follows:
A. Egypt-Israel
B. Jordan-Israel
C. Syria-Israel
D. Lebanon-Israel*
3. The West Bank and Gaza issues will be discussed in a working group to consist of Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinian Arabs.
4. The solution of the problem of the Arab refugees and of the Jewish refugees will be discussed in accordance with terms to be agreed upon.
5. The agreed basis for the negotiations at the Geneva Peace Conference on the Middle East are U.N. Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
6. All the initial terms of reference of the Geneva Peace Conference remain in force, except as may be agreed by the parties.
* All the parties agreed that Lebanon may join the conference when it so requests.