Amid reports of hostile Syrian military moves, reserve soldiers call up as well as warlike preparations in the civilian sector, Mr. Begin and Foreign Minister Shamir met with Ambassador Habib who admitted that his diplomatic efforts have so far borne no fruit and that the effort must continue. Following the meeting, which marked the conclusion of Mr. Habib's round of talks, Mr. Begin held a press conference. Text:
Mr. Habib and the Ambassador of the United States met with me and my colleague the Foreign Minister. We had, as usual, a very friendly talk and exchange of views. In summing up this meeting, I can say that the common opinion of all participants is that the diplomatic effort will continue. For the time being - I must tell you the truth - the diplomatic effort did not bring results. Repeat, did not bear fruit. But that does not mean that anyone of us lost hope that in the future there will be a different situation and ultimately the diplomatic effort will indeed bring the desirable results.
Q: Mr. Prime Minister, does that mean that the Saudi Arabian effort has been fruitless?
A: They didn't bear fruit.
Q: Mr. Begin, would you say the Syrians are behaving in a way which would indicate that they too are depending mainly on the diplomatic effort?
A: No, I don't think that one can say so. The Syrians don't even participate in the diplomatic effort. They now are in a mood that they will - as they put it under no circumstances remove the missiles from Lebanon. And there is information that they are in a very war-like mood, which we don't like, but which we are not impressed by. And their press is very aggressive, I would say, and also very arrogant. But we are not impressed.
Q: Are there any specific military steps being taken which may be of concern to you?
A: About military steps I have talks with the Chief of Staff of our army.
Q: Aren't they calling up their reserves?
A: They did already. They have called up several tens of thousands of their reserves.
Q: On the ground, while this diplomatic process continues, are the Syrians reinforcing their missiles or making any changes?
A: The answer is in the affirmative.
Q: They have added missiles to the ones that were there before?
A: They did augment their missiles, yes indeed. For the last twenty-four hours.
Q: Where does the diplomatic process go from here? Is Mr. Habib going back to Damascus? Is he staying here?
A: You have to put those questions to Mr. Habib. I do not represent Mr. Habib, I represent the State of Israel.
Q: Has he given you any indication, Mr. Begin, that he intends to return to Washington. In the next twenty-four hours?
A: I already told you that for any information concerning the movement of Mr. Habib, you must turn to him, personally - not to me. I am not the spokesman of Mr. Habib.
Q: Mr. Prime Minister, could you tell us how you think the Libyan presence is affecting the situation?
A: Well, it's one of the serious developments, you know. The Libyans are now in Lebanon.
Q: To what extent?
A: To quite an extent. It's not a serious threat to us, but it is a menace.
Q: Mr. Begin, last week you told us that you couldn't say whether you were optimistic or pessimistic. After your meeting today, with Mr. Habib, can you tell us whether or not you are either one of these.
A: Always you ask this routine question - are you optimistic or pessimistic. I told you, I was born an optimist, and I am now an old Jew of sixty-eight. How can I change? So I am optimistic. But sometimes there are events which call for your attention and serious consideration. And these developments, of course, call for such serious consideration.
Q: Mr. Begin, has Mr. Habib asked you for any concessions to get the peacemaking process further. Could you restate your position today.
A: What did Mr. Habib ask me?
Q: I'm asking if Mr. Habib has asked you for any contribution to further what he's trying to do.
A: He didn't ask me for any contributions. Mr. Habib does not represent Keren Hayesod or the United Jewish Appeal. He didn't ask me for any contribution whatsoever.
Q: I meant concessions, Mr. Begin.
A: The word concession hasn't left our lips at all for the last three weeks.
Q: Mr. Begin, how would you view a return to Washington by Mr. Habib at this juncture?
A: I don't know what is going to happen in Washington D.C. I live in Jerusalem D.C. Do you know the difference between the two D.C.'s? Washington D.C. stands for District of Columbia, and Jerusalem D.C. for David's City.
Q: Would you be worried if Mr. Habib left Jerusalem D.C. for Washington D.C.?
A: My dear friend, I cannot give any advice to Mr. Habib. As far as his own movements are concerned, he's a free man. We always will give our hospitality. And what he decides to do with himself is up to him.
Q: Just a clarification about what you said about the Syrian reinforcements of the missiles. Are we talking about missiles in Lebanon or Syria, in other words, the reinforcements?
A: We are talking about the general set-up of the missiles and what we learned for the last twenty-four hours is that the Syrians augmented the missiles arrangement.
Q: How many do they now have?
A: I can't give you that information. I do know it, but I'm not supposed to reveal it.
Q: Mr. Prime Minister, you said before that the Syrians are not participating in the diplomatic effort. Under these circumstances, how can the diplomatic effort ever be successful if one of the parties ...
A: Well, probably, I don't know, but it may happen that the Saudis perhaps also some other countries, will also come into the process.
Q: Mr. Prime Minister, do you think that it would be useful for Mr. Habib to stay here for two more weeks, three more weeks...
A: Look at the city, how beautiful is Jerusalem. You sit under the sun. The blazing sun of our country. All the hospitality is offered to Mr. Habib. He can be here for months if he wants to. He has to decide about his movements.
Q: Is it still the case that Israel is imposing no time limit?
A: No time limit.