Peres: Israel Must Be Prepared for Military Threat from Syria and for Negotiations with Egypt

Defense Minister Shimon Peres said that Israel must prepare for a military threat near the end of the year from Syria in the north, while at the same time be prepared for negotiations with Egypt in the south. Speaking to an Israel Bonds Organization leadership group from Chicago, Peres said Syrian intentions seemed to be warlike and hostile.

Peres described the geopolitical situation in the region as a cold war struggle between the great powers in which the United States was gaining the upper hand. He told the Bond leaders Thursday night that the U.S. administration was aware of the fact that its Mideast successed had not been achieved by the use of its own forces. It recognized, said Peres, that a strong Israel was a vital condition for the success of the free world in its ongoing confrontation with the Communist bloc.