The Defense Minister confirmed his trip to Beirut the previous day, described his "terrific" reception at the outskirts of that city, and his talks with a number of Lebanese officials. He did not, however, reveal the contents of his meetings with Bashir Gemayel and the ties with the Phalangists. He refused to deal with the question of a "new order" in Lebanon attributed to him. He announced that Israel wanted to destroy the P.L.0. infrastructure in Beirut, put an end to Syrian presence in Lebanon, under which the P.L.O. operated for many years. He confirmed also that he met with Ambassador Habib that morning and advised him that he could travel on the Damascus-Beirut road, even though it was under I.D.F. control. As for the immediate future - "at present we have no definite plan - neither has the cabinet determined that we should enter Beirut - and so there is no plan to enter Beirut. This is a subject that we will have to consider. " He proclaimed that what was happening in Beirut that day was "a mop-up action of the highest order. " On that day, the Prime Minister also met with Ambassador Habib, and asked for time to consider some of the initial U.S. ideas regarding a settlement. They included massive reduction of the Syrian army in Lebanon (but not total withdrawal), place the P. L. 0. under a newly reconstituted Lebanese government; returning southern Lebanon (the Haddad enclave) to Lebanese sovereignty. Text of Mr. Sharon's interview follows:
Q: The cease fire is not being kept by the terrorists, and the I.D.F. is returning fire. What is the situation at the moment?
Mr. Sharon: The cease-fire was supposed to have begun at 12.00 hours on Friday. The Syrians ceased fire in most positions; there were only a few limited attempts to improve their positions, which we prevented, and on the Syrian front the cease-fire is being observed. In contrast to this, two hours after the ceasefire began on Friday, terrorists in the Beirut area attacked our forces with heavy fire, artillery and Katyusha fire, and in accordance with what had been agreed when we discussed a cease fire, we said explicitly that if the I.D.F. were attacked, it would fight back. Thus we have acted, and there has certainly been and still is activity in the Beirut area. Yesterday I toured the area with the intent of seeing at first hand whether all approach roads to Beirut are indeed blocked - what especially concerns us is, of course, the Beirut-Damascus connection. We feel it is vitally important that we not give any further opportunity to the Syrians to bring troops into Beirut and to control Beirut, because a Syrian entry into Beirut would mean the resumption and expansion of terrorist activity, with all the harm and grave danger for Israel implied in that. I must say it was a very interesting tour.
Q: How did the Christians receive you?
Mr. Sharon: The Christians gave me a terrific reception. As we passed through the streets of Beirut's spacious suburbs, the residents recognized us and received us in a friendly manner. I would like to make a few observations: First, people in Israel don't appreciate, I am sorry to say, don't know enough about the conditions under which our forces have been operating in Lebanon. This has been a difficult war. Our forces have traveled mountainous routes -something we are not familiar with - areas covered with vegetation. Many terrorists are spread out all over the area. Our forces are making supreme efforts not to harm the civilian population, and it's really astounding to see how the civilian population is leading a normal life, while a few hundred meters away, the I.D.F. is in a war to the end with terrorist squads. In Beirut I met with one of the mayors from the Beirut suburbs, and I also met with senior police officers who I encountered by chance; we had very friendly conversations in a very warm atmosphere. The civilians are certainly hopeful that their situation may change after years of Syrian oppression and terrorist maltreatment. But we must remember that our aim in Beirut is not to alter the situation in Lebanon. We did not go to war for that. We went to war so as to destroy the terrorist infrastructure, to deal them a near-mortal blow. This is one of the gravest dangers - this is a danger that has caused us much loss of life for many years, this is a danger to peace itself - and, as we have seen, it represents a kind of permanent, daily threat of war against us. And this is why we got involved in a war we didn't want with the Syrians, solely because of the terrorists.
Q: But the I.D.F. is nonetheless on the outskirts of Beirut. Does Israel want to see a new order in Lebanon? And if so, what kind?
Mr. Sharon: The I.D.F. has blocked all roads leading to Beirut. This in itself is an achievement of the highest order. Here I must say a few words about the soldiers. Our soldiers carried out one of the most difficult actions ever, with devotion, with outstanding ability - to have seen our young soldiers on the winding mountain roads of Lebanon yesterday, being so careful to distinguish between the terrorists they must attack and the civilian population which should not be harmed - this is something that arouses not only esteem, but also admiration. That is how I saw them.
Q: As for a specific arrangement, what would we like to see there?
Mr. Sharon: What we want in Lebanon is that there should not be a situation whereby the terrorist organizations can re-establish themselves and act against Israel and against Jewish and Israeli institutions around the world. We have decided to put an end to this situation which has gone on for years. Our opposition to a Syrian presence in Lebanon, and particularly in Beirut, stems from the fact that the terrorists' establishment was carried out with Syrian protection and constant aid.
Q: It has been reported that Philip Habib has asked us to enable him to travel on the Beirut-Damascus road. Who in fact controls this road at present?
Mr. Sharon: At present, the I.D.F. controls the road leading from Damascus to Beirut. I spoke with him [Habib] this morning, and among other things I made clear to him that he can come and no one will attack him, just as no other civilian traffic is attacked. These roadblocks are meant to prevent the return of the Syrian army to Beirut after its defeat there, as well as to prevent the entry of additional terrorists and the flight of the terrorist leaders from Beirut. This is physical control, a massive I.D.F. presence at all roads leading to Beirut. And of course, Philip Habib, like anyone else - perhaps more than anyone else, as a man who is investing tremendous efforts in solving the problem -can pass. I told him that he would be received with all possible honor, he can feel completely sure that the road is free and open to all peace-loving people.
Q: What is the situation of the terrorists and the Syrians within the city of Beirut at present?
Mr. Sharon: Their situation is very bad. Only isolated fragments of the Syrian forces remain; but there are still thousands of terrorists, there are still command headquarters - though they have been destroyed, their commanders found shelter in other places - and we must consider how to solve this problem. You must understand that the political infrastructure of the terrorist organizations is located in Beirut. This is a subject that we will have to consider. And it must be understood that our activity beyond the 40-45 km. line is not meant to alter the first Cabinet resolution on that same security belt which is necessary to us in any future settlement. We mean to do only one thing. To destroy the terrorist infrastructure and deal them a near mortal blow. For if an arrangement is reached afterwards, and the terrorists remain unharmed in the area beyond the 4045 km. security belt, then they will simply return to the area. Therefore, this is a mop-up action of the highest order, to destroy the infrastructure - as well as to prevent the Syrians from gaining control of portions of Beirut, for in fact it is they who are the terrorists' patrons and supporters.