Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said today he did not believe that the Carter Administration was tilting away from Israel and toward the Arabs because of the United States’ need for Middle East oil. “I would say that the Administration obviously is looking at the oil question,” he said in response to a question on NBC-TV’s “Meet the Press.” “I could not say from what I see that there is a tilt against Israel.”
Kissinger also apposed including the Palestine Liberation Organization in the current Middle East negotiations. “I do not believe that the strategy of getting the PLO into direct negotiations with Israel, or with us, is the best way of solving the West Bank issue,” he said. “I believe that any attempt to bring about a direct negotiation between the PLO and Israel is going to stalemate the negotiations.” He said negotiations between Israel and Jordan would be the best way of resolving the West Bank problem.
The Carter Administration is following the promise of the Ford Administration, in which Kissinger was Secretary of State, not to negotiate with the PLO until it recognizes Security Council Resolution 242 and Israel’s right to exist.
But when PLO chief Yasir Arafat was asked in an interview with the Washington Star today whether he could acknowledge the existence of Israel, he declared. “Don’t ask me this question. I’m not going to put my cards on the table. I’m not going to uncover my cards.” Arafat told the Washington Star that the Palestinians could use oil to force talks with the U.S. “I want it now,” he said.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
