The World: Israel's Meir: Somber Hope

Premier Golda Meir had looked pale and fatigued as she sat in the Knesset waiting for parliamentary approval of her new government. But she appeared vigorous and rested last week when she and Time Inc.'s Editor in Chief talked in her Jerusalem office. Mrs. Meir joked about the problems of forming a government. But when the conversation turned to the Cabinet's first priority—disengagement with Syria—Israel's 75-year-old leader became markedly more somber. Her views:

Q. What is the present status of disengagement?

A. [Syrian President Hafez] Assad was not too delighted with the proposals we gave to Mr. Kissinger. The feeling is mutual about...