Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin sees little hope for success in the Israel-Lebanon military security and withdrawal talks being conducted under United Nations auspices at Nakura. Accordingly, he told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee today, the Cabinet will shortly have to consider unilateral options.
According to Rabin, the dim prospects are traceable to Syria, which is dictating the Lebanese government’s positions. The Syrians have in fact hardened their positions in the last two weeks, he said. The Nakura talks adjourned December 20 for a two-week Christmas recess and are scheduled to be resumed on January 7.
CITES THREE OPTIONS
Rabin told the Knesset committee that the Cabinet will have to choose from three options: to maintain the status quo in south Lebanon; to redeploy the Israel Defense Force to shorter lines, midway between the Israeli border and the Awali River; or to withdraw the IDF entirely from Lebanese soil. Reports leaked from the committee meeting said Rabin did not indicate which option he preferred.
Premier Shimon Peres intimated in two separate statements last week that he would advocate the total withdrawal of the IDF to the international border. He said he would not favor a temporary redeployment.
His statements triggered objections from Likud quarters. At today’s meeting, the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee split along party lines. Likud and Tehiya strongly opposed total withdrawal. Labor Party and Citizens Rights Movement MKs on the other hand forcefully pressed for an early and complete pull-out of the IDF from Lebanon.
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