Premier Menachem Begin will brief his Cabinet Sunday on the “ideas” for a Middle East peace settlement that he will convey to President Carter when they meet in Washington July 19-20. They contain far-reaching flexibility on political borders and security frontiers provided that the Arabs accept a genuine, lasting peace with Israel, including open borders, the Jerusalem Post reported in an exclusive story today.
According to the Post, Begin will present “ideas” rather than concrete proposals to the President but these will constitute his views. They are understood to deal with all of the points raised recently by President Carter-the definition of peace, territorial withdrawal and the Palestinian question. The ideas were drafted by Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan in close consultation with Begin and the Premier will shape them into a final draft in consultation with Dayan and Defense Minister Ezer Weizman, the Post said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jacob K. Javits said here yesterday that Begin must be prepared to discuss specifics with the President, not just procedures. The New York Republican, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, visited Israel briefly on an official Middle East trip. He left for Amman, Jordan yesterday. Javits noted that Carter has already discussed the specifics of a possible Mideast settlement and said “It would be conducive to good relations with the U.S. if Mr. Begin did so as well.”
According to the Jerusalem Post, if the Arab concept of a settlement does not go beyond a mere ending of the state of war, Begin will suggest a series of interim settlements that could lead to a final comprehensive settlement at some later time.
WILL CONTAIN MUCH OF DAYAN’S VIEW
The Post said the ideas which will be presented to the Cabinet contain much of the Dayan doctrine with respect to territorial pull-backs. Dayan has spoken in the past of withdrawals from large pieces of land on the Golan Heights and in Sinai, demilitarized zones and a joint presence in certain strategic areas.
On the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip, Dayan reportedly favors a semi-autonomous civil administration with an Israeli security presence. According to one unconfirmed report, the question of Israel’s jurisdiction or sovereignty over the West Bank and Gaza Strip was left open pending negotiations with the Arabs in general and Jordan in particular.
Javits said before he left Jerusalem that he was not carrying any messages from Israeli leaders to Arab officials. He said he visited Israel as a member of the Foreign Relations Committee in order to convey “the U.S. scene” to its leaders and to understand the thrust of opinion among government officials and the public.
In that connection, the Senator said he was impressed by the unanimous feeling in the government, the opposition and perhaps the public that control of large sections of the West Bank by Israel was “essential to security.” During his visit, Javits met with Begin, Dayan and Weizman and with leaders of the opposition Labor Alignment and Democratic Movement for Change.
BEGIN, SADAT AGREE ON GENEVA TALKS DATE
Meanwhile, Begin and President Anwar Sadat of Egypt appeared to be in agreement today that the Geneva peace conference should be reconvened in October. Yesterday, Begin suggested Oct. 10, a date shortly after the end of the Jewish High Holiday season, and Sadat was quoted as saying in an interview that this was an “encouraging sign.”
October was originally mentioned by Begin. Sadat responded favorably in a speech in Libreville, Gabon on Monday but reiterated Arab demands that the Palestine Liberation Organization be a participant in peace negotiations. Israel is adamantly opposed to any PLO role.
Nevertheless, Begin welcomed Sadat’s response yesterday. He said that “Any positive reaction on the side of the Arab leaders to Israeli suggestions will be received here with blessings.” But he cautioned that “In the final analysis it is the content (of the talks) not the date” which is important. He said he would tentatively propose October 10 which takes into consideration the Jewish holidays.
(In Washington, U.S. officials reacted cautiously to the apparent Israeli-Egyptian agreement on a timetable. State Department spokesman John Trattner said yesterday that “We welcome positive indications of the desire to get the negotiating process started.” But he added that any discussion of such details as the date would have to await further talks with Middle East leaders, including Begin who will meet with Carter in Washington July 19-20.)
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
