Secretary of State Alexander Haig said today that Saudi Arabia’s proposal for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital is “especially unacceptable” to the United States.
Haig singled out that part of Saudi Crown Prince Fahd’s eight-point peace plan for comment in an appearance before the House Foreign Affairs Committee He said there were several other aspects of the Saudi plan that did not meet U.S. criteria or were matters to be settled by negotiations.
President Reagan said at his White House press conference Tuesday that the Saudi plan contained positive elements which implied willingness to recognize Israel and negotiate with it. He was referring to Fahd’s seventh point which called for all countries in the region to live in peace without specifically mentioning Israel.
Haig, who met for 90 minutes yesterday with a six-member Knesset delegation sent here to explain Israel’s rejection of the Fahd plan, told the committee that one point “especially has been unacceptable … We have made that very clear.” He said it was the point calling for a Palestinian state.
SAYS EUROPEANS ARE HELPFUL
Haig also said that “on balance” the Western European countries have been helpful toward the formation of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) which will patrol Sinai after Israel completes its withdrawal next April. But he added, “Perhaps their level of rhetoric and their actions could be counter-productive” and that he had suggested this to America’s European allies.
He was referring to the European Economic Community’s (EEC) coolness toward the Camp David process and its endorsement of Palestine Liberation Organization participation in future peace negotiations. The EEC attitude is to be incorporated in a declaration approving the participation of member states in the MFO. Britain, France, Italy and Holland have indicated they are willing to contribute to the 2500-man force. Israel has said it would disqualify any country that joins the force on any basis other than the Camp David accords.
Haig indicated today that U.S. differences with the Europeans on this matter could be resolved. He noted at the same time that three other countries — Fiji, Colombia and Uruguay — have promised to provide manpower for the MFO. More than half the force will be provided by the U.S.
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