Officials here denied tonight that Israel has softened its position on retaining military surveillance outposts in south Lebanon after its army withdraws from that country. The officials termed inaccurate reports today that Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir had said Israel might waive that demand.
Shamir, who will be going to Washington at the end of this week for talks with Secretary of State George Shultz, was reported earlier today as having told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee that Israel would have to make concessions to achieve the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon.
Despite the denials, observers here detect a softening in the Israeli stand and believe it will be given concrete expression during Shamir’s meeting with Shultz. The meeting will be attended by U.S. special envoy Philip Habib who has been participating in the Israel-Lebanon negotiations. Shamir may also meet with President Reagan.
NO CONFIRMATION OF A RADIO REPORT
Shamir was reported to have told the Knesset committee that Israel would agree to joint patrols by the IDF and the Lebanese army to make sure that terrorists do not infiltrate south Lebanon.
There was no confirmation of a radio report that Shamir spoke of joint Israeli, Lebanese and American patrols to ensure security and observers discount the possibility of American involvement. But they believe Israel will eventually be prepared to forego the manned surveillance outposts if acceptable alternatives are offered.
NO PROGRESS IN TALKS
Meanwhile, the Israel-Lebanon-U.S. negotiating teams convened for their 21st session in Khalde, Lebanon this morning. No progress was reported on the issue of the outposts and none is expected until Shamir returns from Washington. Israeli sources said there was progress, however, on the matter of the free flow of goods and people across the Israel-Lebanon border and on the formulation of points that have been agreed to in the slowly evolving accord.
David Kimche, head of the Israeli delegation, stressed the importance of normalizing relations between the countries and open borders. Israel’s desire to withdraw from Lebanon as soon as its vital security interests are ensured was stressed by Premier Menachem Begin and Shamir at separate meetings this afternoon with former President Jimmy Carter who arrived in Israel on a private visit this morning. (See separate story.)
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