Eban Urges Arab States to Accept His Vision of Mideast Community of Nations

Foreign Minister Abba Eban urged the Arab states last night to accept his vision of the future Middle East–a community of nations after the fashion of the European Economic Community in which each nation maintains its sovereignby and cultural identity, though linked by bonds of loyalty to the region. Eban addressed the Labor Party convention here. He rejected U.S. Secretary of State William P. Rogers’ contention that geographical security is less important than international guarantees. He also rejected the demand by some Israeli circles that Israel retain every inch of occupied Arab territory on historical grounds. Israel has had little geography but many guarantees–actually an overflow of guarantees but little security to show for them, Eban said. “We do not say ‘only geography’ but we say ‘geography too,’ ” he declared. Eban cautioned Israelis who would draw Israel’s future boundaries on the basis of past history that “history is not only what has been done but what we are doing. Just as our ancestors could write the condition and map of their life, we can write down ours according to present circumstances and conditions,” Eban repeated Israel’s readiness to discuss the reopening of the Suez Canal outside of general peace negotiations with Egypt, but only on conditions that would not give Egypt the option of renewing hostilities.

Speaking from the same platform, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan told the convention delegates that Israel must hold on to its present defense lines despite various plans and promises of guarantees, until a firm peace settlement is obtained. This, he said, would be a long, slow process. Dayan insisted that the Arab states have not given up their intention of eventually destroying Israel. Under the circumstances, he said the Gaza Strip and Golan Heights were not just “real estate” but keys to peace and security. He asked, “If we withdraw from Sharm el-Sheikh and the Egyptians return there, in a year or five years, what will we do then?” Dayan also hinted, in remarks made after his official speech, that he favored the permanent presence of an Israeli Army on the West Bank of the Jordan. “If we do not want just peace documents but security. I prefer that Israel’s Army should hold to the lines which are effective and meaningful for Israel’s security, even if the Arab countries refuse to recognize them as our peace borders,” he said. Dayan stressed Israel’s readiness to meet any new Egyptian thrust. He said he hoped threats emanating from Moscow do not represent Russia’s policy in Egypt. “We are not at war with the Soviet Union. I desire with all my heart that we will never have to fight Soviet soldiers.” Referring to the U.S., Dayan said that unlike America’s allies in the two world wars and in NATO and SEATO, Israel does not want to drag the U.S. into war. “All we want is to get the proper equipment to enable us to defend ourselves,” he said.