39 Interview with Foreign Minister Arens on IDF Radio- 10 April 1989

Mr. Arens: "We are not entering into any negotiations - direct or indirect - with the PLO. We will do what we must, without any such contact, and we conduct our relationship with the U.S. without any such indirect contact."

Q: The PLO has already announced that it objects to elections in the territories without an IDF withdrawal from the area. Is there any need to respond to the PLO's announcement or can Israel ignore it?

A: Why does it surprise you? Do you know the PLO to be a democratic organization that ever held elections or believes in them or in democracy? What is surprising about it?

Q: So Israel will in no way respond to the PLO's position?

A: We are a democratic country, the only one in the region for the time being. I hope there will be others. We are not in the habit of making elections conditional upon the approval of outside elements; this is unheard of. ( ... ) I support the idea of elections. I presented that idea when I was in the U.S., and now the prime minister has presented it in an official manner.