Assistant Secretary of State Harold Saunders had some success in modifying the opposition of local Arab leaders toward the provisions of the Camp David accords calling for autonomy on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. But in doing so he incurred the anger of Israeli officials, including Premier Menachem Begin, for allegedly trying to satisfy the Arabs at Israel’s expense.
Saunders left yesterday for Washington after a week-long visit to the Middle East during which he met with King Hussein of Jordan and with Saudi Arabian officials in Jidda as well as with Israeli leaders and local Arab officials.
Interior Minister Yosef Burg told the National Religious Party Sunday that Begin had “harsh words” with Saunders over alleged statements by the latter to Hussein and the Palestinians involving the possible restoration of East Jerusalem to Arab sovereignty. Yosef Ciechanover, Director General of the Foreign Ministry, met with Saunders over the weekend to express reservations over the American position on the future of the West Bank that Saunders had reportedly conveyed to the Arabs.
CLAIM PEACE EFFORTS DAMAGED
Other officials charged that Saunders hinted at solutions to the West Bank and Gaza Strip that were at considerable variance with Israel’s understanding of the Camp David agreements. Some Israeli sources questioned the necessity of Saunders’ visit to the region at this time, implying that it damaged the current peace-making efforts.
American sources here countered with the charge that certain statements by Israeli leaders following the Camp David summit conference last month made Saunders’ trip necessary if any progress was to be made in softening Jordanian and Palestinian attitudes. They contended that those statements had minimized the possibility of Israeli concessions on the West Bank and put off even the most moderate Arab leaders. They argued that Washington could not ignore Israel’s potential negotiating partners.
The Americans maintained that Saunders’ mission was a logical follow-up to the Camp David summit intended to broaden the scope of the peace process and soothe some of the Arab bitterness toward President Anwar Sadat of Egypt.
Israel Radio reported today that Saunders had a secret meeting with Mayor Rashad A-Shawa of Gaza who told him that he was authorized by PLO chief Yasir Arafat to negotiate in the name of the Palestinians. According to the report, the American diplomat also met with Anwar Al Khatib, the former Jordanian Governor of Jerusalem, who said he accepted the idea of autonomy but thought the powers of the autonomous council should be broadened.
HUSSEIN KEEPS DOOR OPEN TO TALKS
Hussein said in Amman yesterday that Jordan has not closed the door to its participation in the present peace talks. But he renewed his demand for total Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem. According to American sources, Hussein has not rejected the Camp David agreements out of hand but refuses to enter the negotiations
The belief in Washington is that once Hussein shows some signs of leadership many of the difficulties with the West Bank leaders will be resolved But the U.S. says it must take Jordan’s internal difficulties into account.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
