Begin Egypt Deviating on Autonomy

Premier Menachem Begin termed Egypt’s position in the autonomy talks today a “wide deviation from the Camp David agreements.” In a radio interview on the occasion of the exchange of Ambassadors between Egypt and Israel Begin denied that the autonomy talks were in “deadlock.” He maintained that the three parties, Israel, Egypt and the U.S., could still reach agreement by the May target date “if we all remain faithful to Camp David.”

Begin observed that the Camp David agreements, painstakingly negotiated, advisedly defined the projected autonomous body as “an administrative council.” For the Egyptian side, therefore, to propose a body with legislative and constitutional powers was “a decided deviation from Camp David,” he said. It was a proposal “which Israel cannot accept . . . . We hope to persuade the Egyptians that they are raising difficulties for the negotiations by deviating from Camp David.” Begin added that “agreements have got to be observed — just as we have both observed the peace treaty between us.”

Begin said the government was “thinking about” the problem of the legal status of Jewish settlements on the West Bank and would soon publish its decisions. He said they would not contradict the Camp David agreements.

The Premier was moderate and circumspect on the question of American arms supplies to Egypt. “This is a problem of quantities and quality. It must be clarified in contacts between governments, not in public declarations,” he said. Replying to an army radio interviewer who tried to press him on this issue, Begin said, “I have said it is a problem. That is enough.”

On the credentials ceremonies in Cairo and Jerusalem today, Begin said “This is a special day in the annals of the two nations and of the Middle East. Let us remember what passed between our two peoples in 31 years of hostility, five wars, bloodshed, widowhood, bereavement . . . . This is a good day, a nice day both for the Egyptians and for us Israelis.”