The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations denounced Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s statement at the White House Tuesday as violating the spirit of Camp David.
“President Mubarak’s latest public statement in Washington blaming Israel for the continuing turmoil in Lebanon, calling on the United States to negotiate with the terrorist PLO and omitting any reference to either Camp David or the peace treaty gives still further grounds for fear that the peace treaty is unravelling,” the Presidents Conference said in a formal statement yesterday.
The some 70 persons attending the four-day Presidents Conference learned of the Mubarak statement when they woke up yesterday morning and immediately wanted to express their outrage. They unanimously approved the statement before beginning their daylong sessions.
“We call on President Mubarak publicly to declare his country’s continuing commitment to the Camp David framework and its peace treaty with Israel and to work in accordance with those commitments,” the statement said.
“And we urge our own country, as a full partner in the peace process, to insist that Egypt fulfill its treaty obligations towards Israel as the foundation for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
ARENS CONCERNED ABOUT EGYPT’S ATTITUDE
At the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, after the group had been briefed privately on security problems, Defense Minister Moshe Arens also voiced concern about Egypt’s attitude. He noted that Israel had given up the Sinai in return for a “piece of paper” with a commitment for “long-term peaceful relations.”
He said Israel was not sure that commitment was being kept. He said that because of this Israel now had to take into consideration Israel’s southern border and the fact that Egypt is undergoing a large-scale new arms buildup. Arens noted that Egypt was receiving almost as much military aid as Israel from the U.S. which it would not be getting if it had not signed the peace treaty. He said Israel would not be concerned about the military buildup if Egypt was keeping its commitments under the peace treaty.
As for the northern border, Arens was pessimistic about the future in Lebanon. He said Israel must maintain its “security zone” there.” By the looks of it, this is what we will be doing for some time.” he said.
PERES CALLS FOR TALKS WITH JORDAN
Earlier, in Jerusalem, Labor Party chairman Shimon Peres told the American Jewish leaders that he was worried that Mubarak was putting his prestige behind the PLO. He said PLO leader Yasir Arafat was not a moderate but had brought tragedy to his people and had prevented peace.
Peres called for the beginning of negotiations with Jordan based on a “package of peace.” This package should include talks with Jordan and the Palestinians based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. He said Israel should not reject the Reagan initiative despite its disagreement with some of its points. He said Egypt and Israel should begin anew negotiations on autonomy.
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