Premier Yitzhak Rabin of Israel reiterated today that his nation was “more than willing to go more than half way” to achieve peace in the Middle East. “We are willing to take all risks” for a real peace but we are “going to stand firm against illusions of a so-called peace,” Rabin told an overflow audience at the National Press Club. His strong statement on this issue was regarded as significant, coming as it did after three meetings with President Ford.
In both his formal presentation, which he delivered for the most part extemporaneously and in reply to questions from the media representatives, Rabin re-stated what he had told a joint session of Congress yesterday. He said that Israel recognized the existence of a Palestinian issue which “can and must” be resolved “in the context of a Jordanian-Palestinian solution”; that Israel distinguished between the Palestinians and the terrorist organizations; and that Israel will not, under any circumstances deal with “the so-called PLO.”
The Israeli Premier said that “when Arab leaders conclude Israel is viable, this issue can be settled and the Palestinians will find their identity and boundaries will be agreed upon in the process of negotiations.” He said that after Israel concluded its Sinai accord with Egypt last year he hoped this would encourage other countries in the diplomatic process. “But we find at least one country–I mean Syria–decided to do the opposite.” Rabin said.
MAIN PURPOSE OF U.S. AID
He said “The extreme position of Syria, using the terrorist organization called PLO–backed by a major power–not only blocks the prospects of peace but undermines all that has been agreed to by the international community for nearly seven years.” He said, in that connection, that Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 “are now put under question.”
Rabin said the situation in Lebanon was a reminder of “what might be the fate of a minority in a sea of Arab countries that does not maintain a country of its own and the independence to master its present and future.”
When Rabin was asked, in connection with the U.S. military aid program for Israel for fiscal 1977. “what went wrong,” the Premier replied, “Nothing went wrong.” He said the main purpose of U.S. aid to Israel was to strengthen it and thereby deter war and strengthen the prospects of peace. “Israel will continue its efforts to achieve real peace….We have not lost confidence that peace will be achieved and we will not lose it. We look to the future with confidence that we can overcome,” the Premier said.
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