Richard Allen, President-elect Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy advisor, said yesterday that Sen. Charles Percy’s advocacy of a Palestinian state headed by Yasir Arafat “certainly would not reflect policy of an incoming Reagan administration.” But he stopped short of an unequivocal repudiation of the views expressed by the Illinois Republican, slated to become chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the next Congress.
Allen, appearing on the ABC-TV “Issues and Answers” program, was questioned about reports that Percy told Soviet leaders during his visit to Moscow two weeks ago that he favored a Palestinian state federated with Jordan but headed by the Palestine Liberation Organization leader because it “would permit Arafat to realize his wish to be a chief of state before he dies The contents of Percy’s conversations with the Kremlin leaders were contained in classified cables sent to Washington by Thomas Watson, U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, which were leaked to the media over the weekend.
Allen, a member of Reagan’s transition team, indicated that Percy had already briefed Reagan and other members of the transition team, including himself, on his talks in Moscow which covered strategic arms limitation, China and Afghanistan as well as the Middle East. Asked specifically if he disavowed Percy’s views on a Palestinian state, Allen replied:
“I would say that particular statement, which I understand was not entirely accurate, having discussed this matter with Senator Percy and having a chance to examine the (Watson’s) cables myself, it certainly would not reflect policy of an incoming Reagan administration.”
He added, “The accurate expression of his (Percy’s) views has been on the record for years. So I see nothing new in this and I think that Senator Percy is going to or already has taken steps to clarify the matter.” He said that “Senator Percy discussed his trip with me before he left and he also discussed it with the President-elect and indicated to the President-elect that he would get back to both him and to me and to others when he came (home). And he did just that. We lament the use of classified cables.”
SAYS PERCY SPOKE ONLY FOR HIMSELF
Asked if Percy was speaking only for himself in Moscow, Allen replied: “Yes, he was, and I think Senator Percy made it abundantly clear. It is not at all unusual that a distinguished Senator would consult with members of an incoming administration before going to or taking such an important trip as that of going to Moscow which was a pre-planned hip. Senator Percy did extend us that courtesy and we did discuss, but in no way was the visit coordinated to the extent that he was carrying any proposals. He is a Senator and he is entitled to his views … They are his and they do not represent necessarily those of the incoming administration.”
Another Republican Senator, Robert Dole of Kansas, replying to questions on the NBC-TV “Meet the Press” program yesterday, said “I doubt it” when asked if he and other Republicans supported Percy’s ideas on a Palestinian state. “I haven’t discussed this with Senator Percy. I haven’t read the cables. But I would hope he is speaking only for Senator Percy,” Dole said.
Asked if he was sure Percy was not speaking for Reagan, Dole replied, “Well, again, I don’t know. I don’t want to second guess. I haven’t been privy to some of the recent messages, haven’t discussed it with Senator Percy and I understand there is some difference of opinion
State Department spokesman John Trattned questioned today about Ambassador Watson’s cables said, “We are always concerned when leaks occur of material reported to have been classified government telegrams. But I don’t have any comment beyond that.” He did not comment on the contents of the cables.
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