The Reagan Administration marked the 20th anniversary of the start of the 1967 Six-Day War Friday by vowing that it will “not relax” its efforts to achieve “a just and lasting peace” between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
State Department spokesman Charles Redman stressed that this effort includes continuing to see if an international conference could be developed that would lead to direct negotiations.
The idea of such a conference, demanded by Jordan, has deadlocked Israel’s government of national unity. Labor, led by Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, is pressing for it against the strong opposition of Likud, headed by Premier Yitzhak Shamir.
When Redman was asked to comment about the Six-Day War anniversary, he read the following prepared statement which restated the Administration’s known position:
“Today, as in 1967, a just and lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors remains the goal of the United States. Our efforts during the last 20 years have been and continue to be directed towards finding common ground between the parties and exploring all ways that could contribute to peace negotiations.
“The governments concerned and the Palestinians must participate in direct, bilateral negotiations to settle their differences, reduce tension and work out peace that would be fair to all.
“Today many in the region do not accept the status quo of belligerency and are prepared to build on the momentum of the past to open negotiations that would lead to a comprehensive Middle East peace. Current and future generations can expect no less from their leaders.
“We are currently working closely with the parties to see whether an international conference could be constructed to lead promptly to direct negotiations and peace, without interfering with those negotiations or imposing a settlement.
“Because peace is so important for the peoples of the Middle East and the United States, we will not relax our efforts toward the achievements of a just and lasting peace.
“We are trying to build upon the progress that has been achieved thus far to reach the goal of peace.”
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