Rabin Sees Hope of More Progress Toward Peace

Premier Yitzhak Rabin has held out the prospect of Israeli political initiatives for further progress toward peace. “I hope that in the not too distant future, once we have seen how the agreements are implemented, we will be the ones to initiate — we will not sit back and wait, but we shall seek ways of achieving a dialogue — and first and foremost with Egypt,”the Premier said in his first televised interview Friday night.

Rabin said the Nixon visit to the Middle East this week should be seen as a consolidation of the progress that has been achieved to date although “perhaps the beginning of a new stage as well.” Rabin indicated that the “new stage” would get under way once the Syrian disengagement accord had been implemented and Israel was satisfied that both Egypt and Syria were now intent upon a period of economic and social rehabilitation — particularly in the frontline areas. “We will have to let time run its course,” Rabin said. “There are many problems in international relations for which time is one of the best solutions.”

The accord with Syria he said, reduced the chance of surprise attack, and “concludes the chapter opened on Oct. 6. It opens new prospects — although many risks remain.”

MAIN DIALOGUE WITH EGYPT

Rabin warned, however, that in the Middle East unpleasant surprises were always possible, but expressed his hope that once the agreements were implemented and the atmosphere suitably improved, Israel could offer initiatives. He said the main dialogue must be with Egypt since no war with Israel had ever begun or ended without Egypt. Rabin indicated that he envisaged a termination of hostility as the next stage towards a full settlement. “And by this too I mean not only an understanding but also a search for ways of giving this understanding practical expression,” he said.

On the U.S. role in the future Rabin said: “I would prefer to reach an understanding with the U.S. with respect to the timing and direction in which we should move, so that the U.S. could serve as a kind of go-between, transmitting our positions to Egypt.” He said that U.S. military and economic aid had strengthened Israel and thus directly facilitated the disengagement accords. Only a strong Israel could have induced the change in Arab attitudes, Rabin asserted. He added: “I have every reason to believe that the U.S. will continue to do all the things needed to make Israel strong, whether in terms of political support, military aid, or economic aid; perhaps not everything we want, but I think perhaps a major part of what we want.”

(By David Landau)