A Likud member of Knesset declared here last week he believed that Israel would be able to achieve “a separate implementation of peace with Egypt,” and that he hoped the Arab countries would then join in negotiations to complete the process.
The statement was made by Ehud Olmert, a member of the Likud La’am faction, during a visit here at the start of a tour of American state capitals at the request of Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan to interpret and discuss Israel’s policies and positions on peace.
Asked if he believed there could be peace between Israel and Egypt if other Arab countries did not join the negotiations, Olmert said: “The basic demand of Egypt is for Israel to make a comprehensive peace settlement not only with Egypt but with the other Arab countries. This seems to be impossible simply because no other Arab country is ready to follow the initiative of President (Anwar) Sadat and to take part in such negotiations.”
Olmert made his comments during a taping for “Heritage and Destiny,” a twice-monthly documentary telecast on WTEN, the Albany TV station. It is produced by the local office of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith and the Albany Jewish Community Council. The Olmert interview is scheduled for telecasting in a few days.
SOLUTION TO SADAT’S NEGOTIATING AUTHORITY
Olmert said he believed a solution to the problem of Sadat’s limited negotiating authority was in the “Statement of Principles” now under negotiation by Israel and Egypt.
He said that statement “will refer to a comprehensive settlement and will cover problems with all the Arab countries and the Palestinian Arabs. Then probably, President Sadat will say that the practical negotiations with the Palestinians, Syria and Jordan cannot be directed by Egypt because Egypt has no authority to negotiate on their behalf.”
Olmert added that Sadat “will therefore be able to negotiate only on behalf of Egypt and, in a way that will implement the general principles, stage by stage, and starting with Egypt. Then, eventually, the other countries will fall in line and implement what is related to them.”
“To sum it up,” he said, “I think that this is the way we can achieve a separate implementation of peace with Egypt, rather than a separate peace. I believe the basic statement of principles will be comprehensive and then I hope that the other Arab countries will join to complete the process.” Olmert visited the state Capitol, met with legislative leaders and was formally introduced to the Assembly.
CORRECTION: Frank R. Lautenberg was incorrectly identified as chairman of the United Jewish Appeal in the Feb. 8 News Bulletin. He is president. Leonard R. Strelitz is general chairman of the UJA.
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