President Carter and former Gov. Ronald Reagan of California, who is expected to be the Republican Presidential nominee, both indicated firm support for the Camp David accords as the basis of a permanent peace settlement in the Middle East but differed on the issue of West Bank settlements in statements to a meeting of American Jewish editors and publishers here Friday.
President Carter met for a half hour with some 40 delegates to the 38th annual meeting of the American Jewish Press Association (AJPA) who were invited to the White House for a briefing by Administration officials and a special press conference with the President. He announced that on July 2 or 3, the chief autonomy negotiators of Israel and Egypt will come to Washington to discuss means to “keep the Camp David process going.” They are expected to set a cute for resumption of the autonomy talks which President Anwar Sadat suspended on May 15.
Carter pledged at the same time that he will “use all the persuasive power that I have” to bring King Hussein of Jordan into the peace negotiations. Hussein is due here on an official visit this week. Carter said he would encourage Hussein “to be constructive in bringing about a comprehensive peace and I’ll try to convince him the best procedure for doing this is in accordance with the Camp David accords.”
The President appeared to dismiss a declaration issued by the Prime Ministers of the nine European Economic Community (EEC) member states at the close of their two-day summit meeting in Venice Friday. The declaration stated, among other things, that the Palestine Liberation Organization and other Palestinian groups would have to be “associated with” the Middle East peace talks. (The declaration was vigorously denounced and rejected by the Israeli Cabinet today. See separate story.)
REITERATES POSITION ON PLO
Carter told the AJPA delegates that he will not deal with the PLO except under the well-known specified conditions, regardless of what the West European nations do. The conditions include renunciation of terrorism, recognition of Israel’s right to exist and acceptance of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
Carter reiterated that the Camp David process should be continued and asserted that the peoples of Egypt and Israel are committed to it. In response to questions about Israel’s controversial settlement policy on the West Bank the President declared, “We have long maintained” that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are “contrary to progress” toward peace because “it indicates to the Palestinian Arabs, to the Egyptians and to others that Israel will not carry out the principles of the Camp David accords in withdrawing their government, military government; and establishing a security outpost. This is a long-time position of the United States. It’s one that has been discussed clearly with Prime Minister Begin.”
Carter mentioned 15 years in connection with the settlements issue, an error inasmuch as Israel occupied the territory only 13 years ago. “In my opinion, establishment of additional Israeli settlements are not necessary,” Carter said. He added, however, “We have not asked for settlements to be dismantled. I would not be willing to endorse civilian settlements but I do endorse the concept of Jews having the right to live where they choose and leave when they choose.”
He said that “demonstrable progress under the Camp David agreement was the best means for changing the wall of opposition to Israel in the United Nations.”
REAGAN URGES DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS
Reagan, who addressed the AJPA meeting in a telephone hook-up from California, declared that “the issue of the West Bank must be settled by direct negotiations” and stated his opposition to “any effort to dilute or distort” Resolution 242 which underpins the Camp David accords.
Reagan said that “under Resolution 242, I do not see how they (the settlements) could be conferred illegal. It I have correct understanding of 242, it was that the West Bank could be open to anyone who wanted to live there for a period of years, then after these years were up, Israel and Jordan could work out an arrangement with regard to the West Bank.”
Resolution 242 makes no specific reference to the West Bank or to who may or may not live there. It calls for “Withdrawal of Israel from territories occupied in the recent conflict” (Six-Day War). The Camp David accords call for autonomy on the West Bank and Gaza-Strip for a period of five years after which the future status of those territories would be determined through negotiations.
Reagan said “During these critical years to come, one measure of the United States’ credibility will be how faithfully it retains its friendship with Israel. We must change from shifting, unpredictable policies to firm dependable ones which instill again in our allies a sense of confidence and trust in America and its leaders. Anything less than a patient, consistent pursuit of policies which assure the preservation of Israel’s security will result only in damaged U.S. interests in the Middle East.”
He reiterated that “Israel is a strategic asset for the United States. I believe we must have policies which give concrete expression to that position.”
FORESEES VATICAN-TYPE SOLUTION
Replying to a question on united Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Reagan said, “I believe in the sovereignty of Israel. If Israel declares Jerusalem its capital, then I think the United States would recognize that. I recognize that the three great religions in the world all have holy places treasured by them in Jerusalem.”
In that connection, Reagan suggested that “an area could be made, similar to the Vatican, open to all the people of the three religions.” He said he believed Israel “would be magnanimous.”
A questioner noted that Presidential candidates often alter their campaign views after reaching the White House. The GOP candidate replied, “I have a record in California that indicates I do my very best to keep my campaign promises.” He said his view was that the U.S. should not “attempt, as it has at times, to force a settlement or dictate a settlement. We want a fair solution (in the Middle East) that will not have any time bombs left somewhere down the road that will erupt again and disturb the peace. Therefore it has to be a fair solution to everyone. I have no intention of changing the position which I have just now outlined.”
At his press conference, Carter referred to Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union. He noted that it has fallen off 30 percent this year from the peak of 50,000 last year and said his. Administration is encouraging America’s allies to seek an increase in the emigration rate of Soviet Jews.
(See related story, Page 4.)
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