Dayan: Russians Knew About Arabs’ War Plan but Did Not Prevent It

Defense Minister Moshe Dayan charged last night that the Soviet Union knew of the Arabs’ war plans in Oct., 1978 and had a detailed timetable but did nothing to prevent the Yom Kippur War from breaking out. In fact, he added, Moscow did not even inform Washington that war was imminent. Dayan’s statement drew a sharp response from Tass, the Soviet News Agency, which accused Dayan of responsibility for Israel’s “surprise attacks” on Egypt in 1956 and 1967.

Speaking at the dedication ceremony of the Leonard Davis Institute for International Relations at the Hebrew University, Dayan praised U.S. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger’s mediation efforts, saying that Israel and the Arabs certainly needed a mediator and Kissinger was “the best diplomat in the world.” He said Arab-Israeli co-existence within pre-1967 Israel and the peaceful conditions in the administered territories since 1967 were likely to pave the way towards a settlement between Israel and the Arab states. He compared the present peaceful co-existence in the country to the frequent riots and clashes in Palestine during the Mandate period.

GUARANTIES NO SUBSTITUTE FOR SECURITY

Premier Golda Meir, addressing a symposium on international relations marking the official opening of the Hebrew University’s institute, reiterated her position that no international guarantees could substitute for the security provided by Israel’s presence on the Golah Heights. International guarantees have value only when an emergency developed, she said, but she did not believe the U.S. would send troops to Israel, even in a crisis.

Mrs. Meir said that Israel was prepared to return the Syrian territory it captured in the Yom Kippur War in a disengagement accord with Syria but would never return the Golan Heights, captured in the 1967 Six-Day War, which the Syrians had used to shell Israeli settlements. The Premier conceded that differences of opinion could develop between friendly nations. She said differences could be expected between Israel and the U.S. but was sure these would be settled.