Israeli Premier Yitzhak Shamir urged Egypt Wednesday to convince its fellow Arab countries to enter into direct negotiations with Israel.
“Egypt, a partner to the Camp David Accords, could play a significant role by encouraging our other neighbors to follow her example and enter into face-to-face talks with us without preconditions,” Shamir said after a meeting and working lunch with President Reagan at the White House.
While both Reagan and Shamir, in their statements in front of the White House’s diplomatic entrance, stressed that peace can be achieved only through direct negotiations, the two leaders publicly stated their differences over an international conference.
“Our goal now is setting in motion a process acceptable by Israel and its neighbors which can lead to a comprehensive settlement,” Reagan said. He said this requires “bilateral negotiations,” adding that any “reasonable” method of bringing about such negotiations should be explored, “including an international conference.”
Shamir, however, said the “only viable cornerstone to peace” is the method used by Israel and Egypt in achieving the Camp David Accords. “We renew the call to our neighbors to join us in direct negotiations for the obtaining of peace between us,” he said.
DIFFERENCES ON AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM
The Israeli Premier was more direct Tuesday after his meeting at the State Department with Secretary of State George Shultz, when he called the idea of an international forum “a Soviet-inspired notion supported by radical Arab nations.”
He said such a conference, demanded by King Hussein of Jordan, “will not bring peace to our area.”
Shultz, admitting that the United States and Israel do not see “eye-to-eye” on this issue, said the U.S. believes that “all options” that could bring about direct negotiations should be explored, including an international conference.
“Our objective is not an international conference, our objective is direct negotiations,” Shultz stressed.
Shamir differs on this issue with Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, who believes an international conference may be the only way to bring Jordan into talks with Israel.
A senior Administration official, briefing reporters Wednesday on Shamir’s talks with Shultz and Reagan, said that the U.S. is not trying to “play one side” in the Israeli government against the other. He said the U.S. deals with the national unity government, headed by Shamir, as it did when Peres was Peres was Premier.
‘REPRESENTATIVE PALESTINIANS’ MUST BE INCLUDED
Both Reagan and Shultz stressed that any negotiations must include “representative Palestinians.” Shamir also agreed Tuesday that negotiations should include “representatives of Palestinians living in the area.” This apparently meant Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, rather than from outside.
Reagan and Shamir also said they discussed the situation of Soviet Jewry. “We took note of recent releases, but are waiting to see the gates truly opened for Jewish emigration,” Reagan said.
Shamir said Israel was “grateful” for Reagan’s efforts on behalf of “our brothers and sisters” in the USSR. He said the Soviet Union must continue to be pressed “to let all our people return to our ancient homeland, the land of Israel.”
IRAN ISSUE DISCUSSED
Iran was discussed by Shamir with both Reagan and Shultz. Reagan said it was agreed that Iran should be encouraged to end terrorism and the use of force. He added that it was also agreed that it was important to “look to the future instead of dwelling on the past.”
Shamir said Tuesday that while Iran was a leading supporter of terrorism, it was an important country in the Mideast and indicated that ways should be found to exert “influence” on it.
As for the U.S. sale of arms to Iran, Shultz said this was an American decision. The Administration official briefing reporters Wednesday said that Israel has agreed to cooperate with the various American investigations of the Iranian arms sales.
OTHER ISSUES DISCUSSED
Both Reagan and Shamir pointed to the U.S. decision to give Israel the status of a “major non-NATO ally,” which allows it to bid on Defense Department research and development contracts. Shamir called this a “new dimension to our relations.”
Also discussed Tuesday and Wednesday was the Israeli economy and Israel’s agreement to allow the U.S. to build a relay station for the Voice of America in Israel.
Not discussed, according to officials, was the case of Jonathan Pollard who was awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to spying for Israel. When Shamir was asked about the Pollard case Tuesday, he called it “a very painful experience” for Israel and said spying on the U.S. was “not a policy of the Israeli government.”
Shamir concluded his remarks to Reagan Wednesday by noting that this year was the 200th anniversary of the U.S. constitution and the 90th anniversary of the Zionist movement.
“Both events have enriched the quality of our lives,” he said. “They are the roots of our present relationship, joint efforts, our dreams and our confidence in the future.”
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.
