Mr. Shamir did not foresee any major difficulties for Israel in the wake of the IAF attack on PLO headquarters in Tunis. He argued that Israel had the right to strike at terrorist bases anywhere in the world. He saw the operation as a warning to all parties contemplating the use of violence against Israel. Text:
Q: How great a political price will Israel have to pay for the Tunisian operation?
A: There is no political price to pay, and there will be none in the future. There is general recognition in the world of the fact that Israel did what is necessary. Israel stands at the forefront of the international war against terror. It certainly has the right to strike at the terrorist organizations that attack its citizens both at home and abroad. The statements of both the State Department and the U.S. president and recognize this principle - Israel's right to respond to terrorist attacks against its citizens. This is what Israel did, and I don't sense in the political atmosphere any condemnation of this action.
Q: How will our relations with Egypt be affected?
A: I don't know what the connection is between this action and the discussions between Egypt and ourselves on the issues in dispute. I believe that this will be a passing affair. We have grown accustomed to U.N. condemnations, and I am still unsure what will happen tomorrow, and how matters will evolve.
Q: Was there justification for hitting a target in Tunisia, a country not especially hostile to Israel?
A: We have stressed that there was no intention of damaging Tunisian sovereignty. The targets hit were entirely under PLO control, and those who gave this territory to the PLO must bear the responsibility; we had no intention of striking at Tunisia.
Q: Can the operation be construed as a warning to Jordan?
A: The operation was a warning to all parties that use violence to strike at Israel. No one is immune to Israeli reprisals, and to its defensive actions against terrorist activities.
Q: Do you still plan to issue a call to King Hussein tomorrow in the U.N. to enter into direct negotiations?
A: Israel must thoroughly and unequivocally explain its position. We desire and are making progress toward direct talks with all our neighbors, including of course the Kingdom of Jordan. These must be direct talks with no preconditions, strategems, superfluous auspices. An international conference it unacceptable to us; it cannot serve as an arena for direct negotiations meant to produce positive results: peace. These are points I will stress in my speech.