In the wake of the resumption of the autonomy talks in Cairo, Mr. Begin was asked about an idea proposed by Moshe Dayan in which he accused the Prime Minister of burying the autonomy plan. Dayan also suggested the unilateral imposition of autonomy on the Palestinian Arabs. Mr. Begin rejected both the criticism and the Dayan proposal. He stressed the new relationship with the United States and the agreement reached in principle on a defense and strategic partnership. Excerpts:
Q: Sir, last week, the autonomy talks were resumed in Cairo. The former Foreign Minister in your cabinet, Moshe Dayan, who was your partner in the autonomy plan wrote at the end of last week that: "The autonomy plan was buried and P.M. Begin is standing like a faithful watchman at its graveside." He also wrote: "We will pay dearly for not having done anything about finding a way to live together in the territories, and we will pay for the corruption with which we've been afflicted as an occupying power."
A: This is a quote from Mr. Dayan's article. I simply do not accept it. But I want to say that he refers to his idea not mine, to impose the autonomy on the Arab inhabitants of Judean, Samaria and Gaza unilaterally, and to completely abandon the negotiations on an agreement. I did not accept this idea, but the main thing is that the people of Israel do not accept it. Mr. Dayan, with all due respect, brought this matter before the public during the last elections, made it into his banner, and barely got two mandates. We received 48 mandates with our plan to negotiate an agreement on autonomy. So why should I accept Dayan's idea ... I want to live together with the Arabs of Eretz Israel in mutual respect, to live with them in peace. That is why I suggested the autonomy plan.
Q: Are you not afraid of the negative aspects of our rule in Judean and Samaria, for instance the verdict of a labour court judge last week concerning the labor conditions of the workers of the occupied territories?
A: I was very sorry to read it. I am indeed against such things, whether it involves Jews or Arabs. There must be a different attitude and in my opinion the judge was right about the essence of things as well. We will do our best to correct it, certainly ... we have done a lot, but it not yet enough. We must continue doing...
Q: We are talking on the eve of Rosh Hashana, which is also a judgement day. I would like to know what kind of personal reckoning are you making on the eve of this new year?
A: Every man's stock-taking has to do with an acknowledgement of the mistakes he has committed. I am no exception, and I do not think that the government can claim to be an exception, in that it has not committed any mistakes. Of course it has. But all in all I think we've served our people and our country faithfully, devotedly and with good sense.
Israel's political status and security have been strengthened considerably of late. I do not refer only to the agreement in principle on the establishment of a defense and strategy partnership with the U.S. This of course is an important achievement, but through that positive change, perhaps our political and security position may be strengthened in many other countries. There will, no doubt, be a change for the better in the relations between France and Israel. No doubt at all. You would be surprised to know which country purchases certain equipment from us, and out in the open. However, I prefer not to mention its name. I think that many countries that broke diplomatic relations with us are planning to renew them, and not in the distant future. So, there is good hope for the future.