Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan said here today that “time is working against the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement.” He mentioned the upheaval in Iran as having a negative effect on the peace process and observed that while “there still is a fair chance for an eventual agreement, it is now up to the Americans to work out the next phase–where and how we shall meet again.”
Dayan, the first Israeli Foreign Minister to visit France in an official capacity since Premier Menachem Begin’s government took office in 1977, addressed a press luncheon on the second day of his official two-day visit. He said that events in Iran are “influencing such moderate governments as Jordan’s, Saudi Arabia’s and Egypt’s to remain within the Islamic mainstream.”
He contended that “these governments are now reluctant to take initiatives or adopt decisions liable to be criticized by their own students or by religious circles.” He observed that these governments “have now found out that contrary to what they had imagined before, they cannot rely on the United States to support them in internal matters.”
Dayan said Israel is also “seriously worried” about the future of Iran’s 80,000 Jews who may have to face “both hostile policies and hostile mobs.” He said that the stoppage of Iranian oil shipments was the least of Israel’s worries because it expects Egypt to agree to sell oil from the Sinai fields.
The Israeli diplomat met yesterday with Premier Raymond Barre and Foreign Minister Jean Francois-Poncet. He was feted by Poncet at a gala banquet in his honor last night and met for 90 minutes with President Valery Giscard d’Estaing this afternoon to discuss the Israeli-Egyptian peace talks and other Mideast issues. After his meeting, Dayan said “It was of great interest to hear and to understand the French position,” adding, “It was very instructive and helpful.”
Addressing the banquet at the Quai D’Orsay last night, Dayan said “We are in disagreement but we want you at least to listen to us and hear our views. We want you to keep your doors-open for us… to keep open both your doors and your hearts.” Minister of Health Simone Veil, Deputy Foreign Minister Olivier Stirn and Deputy Labor Minister Lionel. Stoleru were among the 60 guests at the gala affair. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency was the only news wire service invited to attend the banquet.
Dayan met last night with Alain Poher, president of the French Senate and is scheduled to hold meetings with opposition leader Francois Mitterand and former Gaullist Premier Jacques Chirac tomorrow after the official portion of his visit is over. Poher is an old friend of Israel and although his influence in French politics is minimal, he is considered the best advocate of Israel’s cause in France. Dayan visited the memorial to the unknown Jewish martyr this morning.
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