Defense Minister Ezer Weizman told a group of Arab dignitaries from Jericho that he was ready to meet with PLO chieftain Yasir Arafat and engage in a shooting match with him if necessary. Weizman spoke with a broad smile and a figurative tongue-in-cheek as he greeted the Arab visitors during a reception in the Defense Ministry’s rose garden.
The Arabs appeared flattered to be among the VIPs attending and surprised by the new defense chief’s informal, easy-going manner of speech. “You can rest assured that from this government you will hear very clear words,” he told them. “I am glad we can enjoy this evening together. We shall be together for many years to come,” he said, an obvious allusion to Likud’s intention to retain permanent Israeli control of the West Bank.
Weizman said he was ready to meet with the leaders of any Arab country and with Arafat. “I shall tell Arafat what I think of him and he may tell me what he thinks of me. If he shoots me, I shall shoot back.” The reception last Thursday was tendered by the Defense Ministry’s Director General and former Defense Minister Shimon Peres. Peres, confined to bed with a slight fever, was unable to attend but listened to the speeches by a special radio hook-up.
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