The Cabinet met in special session today to hear Defense Minister Ariel Sharon’s report on his meetings with Reagan Administration officials in Washington last week. Cabinet Secretary Don Meridor told reporters that Premier Menachem Begin expressed appreciation for the way Sharon carried out his mission. Begin also informed the Cabinet of recent messages he received from President Reagan and Secretary of State Alexander Haig and his replies to them. No details were released.
Sharon reportedly told the Cabinet that contrary to press reports here and abroad, his meetings in Washington were held in a “good” atmosphere. Nevertheless, it is believed here that Sharon’s trip was aggravated by differences between Israel and the U.S. over Israel’s support of Iran in its war with Iraq, the proposed sale of advanced American weaponry to Arab countries, particularly Jordan, and the situation in Lebanon. Sharon reportedly had an angry confrontation with U.S. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger.
Voice of Israel Radio claimed today that Weinberger had acted contrary to specific instructions from President Reagan by adopting a tough line toward Sharon “because of Sharon’s style.” Sharon, on his return to Israel Sunday, described his visit to the U.S. as an opportunity to “clarify and define both countries’ positions on the various issues.” He said there was nothing new in Israel’s positions, namely that it would not agree to the continued threat from Palestinian terrorists in Lebanon and that it believed that American sanctions against Israel–such as its suspension of the memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation last December — should not be an element in the relations between friendly nations.
U.S. SANCTIONS NOT RULED OUT
But according to reports here today, Weinberger refused to rule out future sanctions “if Israel harmed vital American interests.” Nor was Sharon’s meeting with Haig any more encouraging, sources here said. The Secretary of State reportedly warned Israel against further complications in the Lebanon crisis.
Haig was said to have presented Sharon with a new formula by which the U.S. would judge Israeli actions against the Lebanon-based Palestinian terrorists in proportion to the severity of the terrorist act that elicited the response. This was interpreted here as a clear warning that the U.S. would no longer tolerate massive air strikes by Israel in retaliation for individual acts of terrorism, such as have occurred in recent weeks. That position is in direct conflict with Israel’s insistence on the right to act as it sees fit.
In fact, Sharon told a group of disabled war veterans in Tel Aviv last night that “Israel will exercise its right to self defense whenever it finds it necessary” and “under no circumstances will Israel put up with any attempt to restrict its freedom of action at this point.” Sharon spoke shortly after a truck owned by Kibbutz Kfar Giladi in Galilee was blown up by a land mine in the salient of southern Lebanon controlled by the Israel-backed militia of Maj. Sand Haddad. There were no injuries.
On a more positive note, sources here said Sharon found more understanding of Israel’s problems in the Senate and more Senators supporting Israel’s views. Furthermore, it was reported here, the U.S. for the first time, will offer specific proposals to stabilize the Lebanon situation when President Reagan’s special envoy, Philip Habib, returns to the region shortly.
HABIB MISSION TO GO BEYOND CEASEFIRE
Voice of Israel Radio said today that Habib’s next mission, his sixth to the Middle East in the past 12 months, will go beyond preserving the ceasefire along the Lebanese border. According to the radio, the U.S. will propose that all parties in Lebanon, including the Syrians, the Palestinians and Haddad’s militia, would withdraw from southern Lebanon and the region would be turned over to the Lebanese army.
Nevertheless, there appear to be undeniable strains between Jerusalem and Washington. In an apparent effort to ease the tension, U.S. Ambassador Samuel Lewis visited Begin last night to stress that the Reagan Administration is well aware of Israel’s security and economic needs and that Begin would see this for himself when he visits Washington at Reagan’s invitation in two weeks.
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