Upon his return from Washington, Mr. Shamir discussed briefly the state of Israel-America relations, following his meetings in Washington with President Reagan and Secretary of State Schultz. He hinted that Israel would have to take into account, in its decisions, "all considerations, including diplomatic considerations. " In the Cabinet meeting he recommended giving Mr. Habib an additional ten days to bring about the removal of the P.L.O. It was decided to convene the cabinet in a week's time to decide on further action. Excerpts:
I wouldn't say it (U.S. President Reagan's letter to Prime Minister Menachem Begin) was threatening, but it is strongly worded. The United States would like to see a conclusion to the fighting in Lebanon, and it would like that conclusion to come through a diplomatic solution and not by further bloodshed and losses to either side and it is not at this moment considering the possibility of any other solution. I tried to explain to the United States - to the administration as well as to the media - that we, too, naturally, prefer the political solution. But in order for that to be successful, it must be clear to the terrorists that there are also other ways, and the one choice before them, is how they are going to be evacuated, whether by diplomatic means or in another way. And then, if they realize this, there is a chance that they will choose the diplomatic way, because it is more comfortable and less dangerous.
Many questions have always come up in times past - whether there is a crisis, whether a crisis is impending. It is natural that there are differences of opinion, there are differences in perception. I hope we will overcome them. There are various pressures on the administration in the United States, from many circles the world over. And this pressure by the media - the television, primarily - reminds them of what went on, in the United States a number of years ago, during the Vietnam War, despite the basic difference in motives, in causes. This pressure is considerable and has its effect and intensifies this atmosphere of impatience.
(In answer to the question whether President Reagan's letter will cause a change in Israel's policy in Lebanon). The government of Israel will decide on that. And the Israeli government, in its decision, must take into account all the considerations, including diplomatic considerations.