Haig Re-establishes U.S. Mideast Policy on Basis of Positions Taken by Previous Administrations but

Secretary of State Alexander Haig, at a press conference today, his first since taking office, re-established U.S. Middle East policy on the basis of the positions of previous Administrations toward the Palestine Liberation Organization and the issue of Jerusalem and declared that, for his part, he will not immediately become immersed in the Egyptian-Israeli peace process. He said he intends first to review the peace process and hold “some discussions” with the participants.

In response to questions on the Reagan Administration’s position on Jerusalem, Haig said that “for 30 years, the U.S. has felt this is a matter that has international implications.” Stressing that Jerusalem is the seat of three great religions, he said the city should “not be divided by barbed wire” or imposed “unilateral restraints.”

In an apparent reference to the Israeli law declaring united Jerusalem the capital of Israel, Haig added, “We don’t welcome unilateral actions that make international consensus impossible.” He seemed to stress the international aspects of the Jerusalem issue when he urged “patience” and “participation by the parties involved.”

CLARIFIES U.S. POSITION ON PLO

Haig clarified the U.S. position on the PLO that had been stated partially by the State Department in the past two days. “President Reagan has stated, and every American President since 1975 has stated, that we will neither recognize nor negotiate with the PLO for as long as they refuse to accept the provisions of United Nations (Security Council) Resolution 242 and the other UN resolutions,” Haig said.

He indicated later that he was referring to Security Council Resolution 338. He summarized that expression on the PLO as being a “sufficient answer” to the question.

WILL ABIDE BY CAMP DAVID ACCORDS

Asked if he would invite President Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Israeli Premier Menachem Begin to Washington to extend the Egyptian-Israeli negotiations for autonomy on the West Bank and Gaza, Haig said, “I don’t want to inject any sense of urgency in our review of this matter. We have and we will continue to support the Camp David accords and the peace process that has been launched by them” (Sadat and Begin).

He said, “We will continue to abide by that” and the U.S. will conduct “consultations with the parties–not only the signatories but those with a direct interest of the outcome.” He did not name the other parties. “We are in the process of reviewing” the peace process, Haig added. “We need to have some discussions with the parties first.”