On the eve of his departure for France for meetings with President Mitterrand and the French Prime minister and foreign minister, Mr. Shamir said that he would raise France's- relations with the PLO as well as the peace process. He was pleased with the meeting held in Cairo between Foreign Minister Arens and President Mubarak, and hoped it would herald new relations between Israel and Egypt. Text:
Q: What is the goal of your visit to Paris?
A: I am leaving for Paris at the invitation of the French prime minister. I will hold meetings and discussions with France's leaders, first and foremost with French President Francois Mitterrand, as well as with the prime minister, the foreign minister and other figures.
Q: There have been rumors that President Mitterrand might meet with Yasser Arafat. Will you raise this matter in Paris?
A: Patently, there is no doubt when we discuss the situation in the Middle East the subject of France-PLO relations will come up, along with the meetings that are taking place and perhaps have taken place between French figures and PLO leaders.
Q: Does it appear to you that France will assume a role in contacts in the political process that is now underway?
A: France is making an effort to evince great interest in events in the Middle East, and its opinions are important to us. I also attach great importance to President Mitterrand's point of view. Great attention is paid to his views in Europe and in the entire Arab world, and I will make an effort to bring our opinions closer together, if this is possible.
Q: Will new political initiatives result from your visit to Paris?
A: Anything is possible at this stage of the discussions, which we are holding and will hold at various locations around the world on everything connected with ways to bring about peace in our region.
Q: What is your opinion on reports from Cairo with regard to discussions being conducted by Foreign Minister Moshe Arens?
A: Our foreign minister is of course holding extremely important talks in Egypt. He conducted a discussion with the Egyptian president. That was a discussion between Israeli representatives and Egyptian representatives after a prolonged period, and I hope that this will be the start of an era of closer contacts that will be maintained at more frequent intervals. In addition, [Arens] is expected to meet tomorrow with the Soviet foreign minister for a second discussion, after having seen him a short time ago in Paris. I hope that this discussion will mark an additional stage in the rapprochement between us and the Soviet Union.
Q: According to reports yesterday, the Soviet Union estimates that an international conference will be held by the beginning of next year.
A: Numerous rumors and assessments are natural in such times. But one must wait and see what will develop in the near future.