The first contingent of the P.L.0. terrorists left Beirut on board the Greek ship Sol Georgius for Cyprus, Jordan and Iraq. On that day Foreign Minister Shamir discussed the next phase in the effort to bring peace to the region. He felt that the Camp David framework was still the vehicle for dealing with the Palestinians but without the P.L.0. He also discussed the issue of Israel 's image and public relations. Excerpts:
Q: Now that it is clear that the terrorists are leaving Beirut and Lebanon, has the time not come for an Israeli initiative for a solution to the problem of the Palestinians?
A: I hope that all the terrorists will leave all of Lebanon, and that it will not be long before all foreign forces free Lebanon of their presence. It is clear that after that problem is solved, after the terrorist organizations lose most of their power, conditions will be better for making a strong effort for the renewal of the autonomy negotiations and the acceleration of the peace process in our region. I don't think that a new initiative is needed. The Camp David agreement is an excellent basis, and, in fact, the only possible basis for the achievement of permanent peace and the laying of the foundations for coexistence between the Jews and the Arabs in this region of the Middle East.
Q: On this basis, hasn't the time come for calling on the Palestinians leaving Beirut to put down their arms and join the peace process?
A: The people leaving Beirut must get off the political stage. There is no relation between them and peace. They chose the route of war, of hate; they cannot warn others to make an effort and seek ways for peace. Israel has shown in recent years rare generosity and openness in everything regarding peace agreements. Israel is ready to conduct negotiations with all elements willing to talk peace with us ... the Arabs of the Land of Israel, the leaders of neighboring countries, to all the elements of the Arab world who, I hope, have learned a lesson from this campaign ... that the path of violence brings no benefit and one must choose the path of negotiations and peace.
Q: There is tension in the different sectors of Lebanon and the Americans are already talking of a "separation of forces". Do you support the concept?
A: The tension is not being caused by us. We are prepared to keep the cease-fire permanently, unconditionally. We have no need for a separation of forces. We do need a "leaving of forces": All forces must leave Lebanese soil, and there is no need for intermediate stages which complicate and cause delays.
Q: Are you satisfied with what your Ministry has done in explaining the war?
A: ... I think that the Foreign Ministry did much in the field of (hasbara) information, but I'm sure that more can be done. We are improving our information methods from day to day ... today, for example, we opened, in cooperation with the defense establishment, a communications center in Beirut, which will be a center for foreign correspondents, who will get briefings and services there. This center was opened after it was necessary to overcome many difficulties. And there have also been many positive manifestations of the results of our information efforts, and they arrive day after day from many places in the world. Still, I say that I am not yet satisfied.