I think that President Asad wants peace with Israel, and there's no doubt in my mind that King Hussein wants peace with Israel.

I've never had any conversation with Senator Long that would either encourage me or require me to change my position from what it was last April.

I think it's much more important to have direct negotiations between Egypt and Israel than to have us acting as a constant, dominant intermediary.

This has been, already, a tremendous accomplishment.

Thank you. I have two brief statements to make.

Two of Israel's most cherished desires have already been met.

1977 is a year when we are seeing major legislation, long overdue, passed.

I think the importance of it is that there has been an initiation of direct, person-to-person negotiations between Israel and the major power in the Mideast among the Arab nations who are Israel's neighbors.

We have tried to spell out very clearly... the United States position.

I think that the other Arab leaders do want peace with Israel.

There will be substantial tax reductions in 1978, combined with comprehensive tax reform.

In the last few days we have seen, I believe, an historic breakthrough in the search for a permanent, lasting peace in the Middle East.

The United States has been very pleased to see this reduction in distrust and a reduction in fear and a reduction in suspicion between the Arabs and the Israelis.

Well, I think that we or the Soviets ought to play a constructive role.

The Soviets have been involved in the peace negotiations ever since 1973.

I am especially grateful for his wise and generous counsel during the early months of my administration.

The unexpected death of Senator John L. McClellan deprives the Senate of a resolute and gifted lawmaker.

His passing is a loss to the Congress and to the Nation.