1.
GV EXT. FOREIGN OFFICE
0.05

2.
CV SIGN"FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE"
0.10

3.
SV EBAN TALKING TO STEWART & SHAKING HANDS
0.21

4.
CV EBAN PAN STEWART
0.32

5.
SV ZOOM IN EBAN & STEWART(2 SHOTS)
0.49



Initials PH/V/AS/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER, MR ABBA EBAN, ARRIVED IN BRITAIN TODAY (FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH) FOR A SHORT VISIT AS PART OF HIS EUROPEAN TOUR.

SOON AFTER HIS ARRIVAL, MR EBAN CALLED ON THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR MICHAEL STEWART, FOR TALKS ON THE MIDDLE EAST, WHICH EXPECTEDLY COVERED THE QUESTION OF RECENT SABOTAGE OF ISRAELI-BOUND AIRLINERS.

THE DISCUSSION FOLLOWED YESTERDAY'S SEPARATE MEETING IN LONDON, BETWEEN THE ISRAELI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, MR YIGAL ALLON, WITH MR STEWART AND PRIME MINISTER WILSON.

TODAY'S MEETING LASTED FOR ONE HOUR, AFTER WHICH A BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONVERSATION WAS CONDUCTED IN A "A SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP AND CANDOUR."
"THE TWO MINISTER DISCUSSED THE MIDDLE EAST PROBLEM IN DEPTH AND EXPLORED WAYS OF MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT."
THE QUESTION OF AIRCRAFT SECURITY WAS ALSO DISCUSSED ACCORDING TO THE SPOKESMAN, BUT HE DECLINED TO GIVE ANY DETAILS.