Peres: Cabinet to Consider Options Within 3-4 Weeks Regarding an IDF Withdrawal from South Lebanon

Premier Shimon Peres said yesterday that there was a “visual error” — a misreading both in the U.S. and Israel — of his recent remarks with respect to a future withdrawal of the Israel Defense Force from Lebanon. He also stressed that Israel’s plans were not influenced by Syria.

Peres spoke to reporters on his return from a seven day visit to the U.S. which included two days of talks with President Reagan, Secretary of State George Shultz, Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and other top Administration officials in Washington. He was accompanied at those meetings by Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir.

Peres told reporters that what he said before and during his American trip and what he reiterates now is that within the next 3-4 weeks the Cabinet will consider various options prepared by the Defense Ministry for an IDF withdrawal from south Lebanon that will ensure the safety of Israel’s northern border.

He emphasized that he did not say there would be a decision to withdraw within three weeks and a pull-back within 6-9 months. The Defense Ministry has prepared various options and these will be considered by the Cabinet within 3-4 weeks, Peres repeated.

He said there was a mistaken impression that Syria has become central to events in the region. Israel does not need Syrian assent to withdraw from Lebanon, Peres said, but Syria should take into consideration the various options open to Israel and know that withdrawal would be an Israeli decision.”Not everything depends on Damascus, ” the Premier said.

Peres was fulsome in his praise for the reception he and Shamir received in Washington. He said they found a “receptive ear” for Israel’s economic and political problems.