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SV Belgian Foreign Minister at table.
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SCU Press (2 shots)
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CU Belgian Foreign Minister talking to colleague.
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CU Minister speaks.
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SOUND STARTS: "There is, in the proposal........"



SOUND ENDS: "....it's a duty."



TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 4: M. HARMEL: "There is in the proposal of Mr. Jarring more than we think. It's a wise view, it's a beginning for a complete peace, and we do not despair that all the parties will continue to see where it is possible in this way.



QUESTION: Does this mean then sir that you would agree with United States Secretary of State Mr. Rogers that an interim settlement is possible by the end of the year on the opening of the Suez Canal?



ANSWER: My opinion sir is not optimistic and is not pessimistic, I have no agenda for such a thing, but I am sure that we need to progress in this way before the end of the year. It's not a possibility it's a duty."




Initials VS/1.43 VS/1.50



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Foreign Minister of Belgium, M. Pierre Harmel, told a press conference in Cairo yesterday (Saturday) that the opening of the Suez Canal by the end of this year was more than a possibility, it was a duty. M. Harmel is currently in the United Arab Republic on a five-day official visit to discuss the Middle East crisis with his opposite number, Mr. Mahmoud Riad. Before coming to Cairo, M. Harmel paid a four-day visit to Lebanon and a one-day visit to Syria.

Below is a transcript of M. Harmel's comments:-