Peres: U.S. – Israel Relations Are Blossoming

Israeli Premier Shimon Peres likened the cherry trees blossoming in Washington to the present state of relations between Israel and the United States, in remarks on returning here Wednesday afternoon from a day in the nation’s capital where he had meetings with top Administration figures.

“Not only the cherry trees in Washington are blossoming, so too are the relationships” between Israel and the U.S. He said those relationships are at their peak and that Israel stands at the side of the U.S. “without neutrality and without apology.”

Peres spoke to some 350 members of the American Friends of the Hebrew University at a meeting at the Pierre Hotel here. He said in his talks with Administration officials in Washington he received repeated compliments on Israel’s economic recovery, including compliments from Vice President George Bush and Secretary of State George Shultz. He said the results of Israel’s economic plan so far “are better than we expected.”

Peres spoke mainly on the issue of higher education in Israel. He said that despite economic difficulties, the country must invest in its human resources and develop its educational, scientific and technological research. He cited specifically the role of the Hebrew University in contributing to Israel’s economic and scientific future.

Peres was asked about the status of the Middle East peace process, during a question and answer period. He said he believed King Hussein of Jordan is sincere in his attempts to reach a peace agreement with Israel. He noted that Hussein’s efforts failed when his agreements with Palestine Liberation Organization chief Yasir Arafat collapsed.

“Arafat is part of the problem.” Peres said, but he is not “part of the solution.” He referred to a report Tuesday which quoted Hussein as saying that if his efforts to bring other Arab partners into negotiations for peace are not successful, he will do it on his own.