War and Peace on the See-saw

Foreign Minister Yigal Allon said here today that the new Riyadh-Cairo-Damascus axis poses the most serious threat of war for Israel but also contains glimmers of prospects toward peace. He reiterated that Israel is ready for direct peace talks with no preconditions but will never accept dictates from the Arabs or any outside power. He proposed a mutual agreement with Lebanon to maintain peace and security in the border area.

Allon made his remarks at the traditional Nov. 29th Luncheon of the Editors Committee of the Israeli Press, held here in connection with a commemorative gathering to mark the third anniversary of the death of former Premier David Ben Gurion. Ben Gurion made his home in this desert village. The luncheon was held at the Negev University which he helped to found.

Allon said the new alliance between Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria is now the dominant coalition in the Middle East. Its combined military and economic power comprise a danger for Israel should they decide to follow the path of war, he said. While Israel is prepared to face such a threat. It cannot afford to underestimate it.

On the other hand Allon said, the three-power axis may take the political path while retaining the military option as a means to pressure or coerce Israel to accept a political solution on Arab terms. He observed, however, that only a strong coalition of Arab states could sit down with Israel to talk peace.

READY TO GO AHEAD WITH PEACE TALKS

Allon stressed that Israel was ever ready to proceed with peace talks. The lull in diplomatic activity, largely because of the Lebanese civil war, was not of Israel’s making and, in any event, is about to end, he said. He declared that if Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, who has been talking peace to the news media but not to Israel, wants to test Israel’s readiness to negotiate, “let us meet.” The same applies to any Arab leader interested in genuine negotiations instead of propaganda statements, Allon said.

Allon added that the fact that Israel will hold national elections next year was no obstacle to beginning peace talks now. “Let the people of Israel know what this government intends and let them vote,” he said.

With respect to Lebanon, Allon said, “We are interested in and we suggest that we reach as soon as possible an arrangement with the competent government of Lebanon to secure calm and order along the border. Let the Lebanese be responsible for security on their side of the border and the Israeli army will ensure the same on the Israeli side.”

Allon said he was convinced that all sections of the Lebanese nation are interested in a peaceful border. It should be of special interest to President Elias Sarkis as he forms a new Lebanese government, the Foreign Minister asserted. He added that so far Syrian forces in Lebanon have not crossed the “red line” or rather they have not ignited a situation that would cause Israel to respond.