Israeli Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir said last night that proposals recently made by Jordan and the Palestine Liberation Organization agreeing on a basis for peace negotiations in the Middle East were “intended to confuse and mislead.”
“Israel cannot and will not seek peace at any price as some Arab leaders propose,” Shamir said in an address to the government officials, parliamentarians and guests attending the gala dinner of the Canada-Israel Committee. “They aim at a peace not with Israel but to a position in which Israel will not exist.”
Shamir arrived in Canada Wednesday for a six-day visit which will include meetings with senior government officials including External Affairs Minister Joe Clark. Shamir is reportedly seeking Canadian participation in the 10-nation peacekeeping force in Sinai.
SYRIA BLAMED FOR VIOLENCE IN LEBANON
According to Shamir, who is also Deputy Premier, at the same time the PLO is being resurrected in the peace process, it is also trying to reestablish itself in Lebanon. “We,” Shamir said, “have no intention to retain our army in Lebanese territory. We tried hard to secure an agreement with Lebanon, but Syria intervened and forced the Lebanese government to sabotage the accord.” He was referring to the May 17, 1983 Israel-Lebanon troop withdrawal and security agreement.
Continuing, Shamir said, “We were left with no choice but to take unilateral measures to defend the Galilee and prevent the recurrence of terrorist attacks on our people. We cannot assume that our abhorence of violence and dedication to peace are being matched by our neighbors.”
Shamir described Israel’s unity government as a “partnership between the two major political” parties and “a real sharing of power.” He said that at the present time, there are no major policy differences between the two major partners in the unity government on basic policy regarding steps taken to reduce Israel’s economic problems and “certainly not in regard to Lebanon.”
The Israeli leader also expressed his appreciation toward Canada and the Canadian people. “We are grateful to you for your solidarity with the plight of our brethren in the Soviet Union and for your efforts on their behalf.” He said “Canada has a special place in the hearts of the Jewish people and the people of Israel.”
TURNER URGED DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS
Earlier, former Premier and opposition leader in the House of Commons, John Turner, said “We share with Israel the concept of democracy and when the people of Israel are beseiged we must and will come to the support of Israel.”
Turner, addressing an afternoon session of the Canada-Israel Committee, said, “We must also support and encourage direct negotiations with the Arabs on the basis of (UN Security Council) Resolutions 242 and 338. Those who do not recognize the right of the existence of the State of Israel should not be allowed at the table.”
Turner also said that every effort must be made by the Canadian delegation to the Nairobi Conference on Women, sponsored by the UN, to discourage Arab and Eastern bloc attempts to isolate Israel.
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.
