While the attention of the world media was focused on the human suffering of the civilian population in Lebanon, and as the P.L.O. was issuing highly inflated casualty figures, the Israeli government charged the Minister responsible for Economic Coordination, Yaacov Meridor, with the task of providing humanitarian relief for Lebanon. In the following interview he explained these tasks. Text:
"The Government so far has engaged in activities which have already borne some fruit. It is coordinating the water supply in Sidon, where within a day or two the work will be completed and the entire city reconnected to running water. Half the city already has electricity, and the rest of the city will also get electricity within the next few days. Signs of destruction are still visible, but all the figures have been very, very much exaggerated. I think that it was completely irresponsible to come up with figures as the enemy did, to talk about 500,000, 600,000 refugees, when the Lebanese are now talking about 60,000, and the I.D.F. says 30,000."
Q: You mention water and electricity - what is the situation concerning food supply?
Mr. Meridor: "There is no food shortage. There is still enough food for another 2-3 weeks, as I've been informed; and Trade Ministry personnel have already been sent to the site by Trade Minister Patt. They are looking into the overall situation so that they can bring in rice, wheat, and other staples needed by the population."
Q: Are there temporary housing problems?
Mr. Meridor: "Yes, there are serious problems, principally in the cities of Sidon and Tyre. A delegation from the Technion University has looked into the situation and found that only 10 houses in Sidon have to be condemned; the rest can be repaired. But it will take time to fix them, so meanwhile we have to do something."
Q: What is the solution?
Mr. Meridor: "There are local contractors, and if necessary we can also bring in Israeli manpower, experts, construction companies. We shall see. In any case, there is contact between the Lebanese and Israeli Governments on the subject, and together we will coordinate all aid activities, both international and otherwise."
Q: You reportedly met with a Lebanese minister and together decided on a framework for cooperation. Could you tell us more?
Mr. Meridor: The truth is that I haven't yet had such meetings, but I will meet with my Lebanese counterpart starting in midweek. We will also establish contact between our aides and staffs in each different area. I hope that this first-stage cooperation with the Lebanese Government will lead to further cooperation, and, I hope, to a de facto peace, if not a peace treaty, between us and Lebanon."