High government sources conceded today that the so-called “Saunders papers” did not represent any real departure by the U.S. from its established policy toward the Palestine Liberation Organization. The sources were referring to testimony last week by Second Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs Harold Saunders.
A transcript of Saunders’ testimony, discussed at Sunday’s Cabinet meeting, brought an angry response from the Cabinet which issued an unusual communique charging that it contained “errors and misrepresentations.” But the government sources said today that the U.S. has been saying for some time that it would favor negotiations with the PLO if the latter met the stipulated conditions, Israel, for its part, has ruled out any contacts with the PLO under any conditions.
The sources would not formulate a position based on the “hypothetical question” of whether Israel would negotiate with the PLO if it accepted Israel’s sovereignty and the UN resolutions. They admitted, however, that Israel was completely isolated in its position but there was no need now for an “agonizing reappraisal” by the government.
ISRAELI PRESS, PUBLIC TERMED ‘HYSTERICAL’
The sources described as “hysterical” the reaction of the Israeli press and public to the disclosure of Saunders’ remarks. They said the wisest course would be to allow the furors to subside. They said the U.S. itself had no desire to dwell on the Palestinian issue at this time and while the timing of Saunders’ testimony was unfortunate, it was dictated by the House subcommittee’s timetable and not by any intention of the Administration to prepare American opinion for a shift in the U.S. position on the PLO, as charged by some circles in Israel.
The sources did not explain, however, why the Cabinet issued its sharp attack on the Saunders’ testimony Sunday if the government’s desire was to let the matter blow over. Some officials believe the answer to that question may be domestic political pressures.
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