The leader of the Labour Party felt that Mr. Baker erroneously attributed the Likud policy of unlimited settlement in the areas to the entire National Unity Government, which was not the case. He was unhappy with Secretary Baker's speech although many of its elements were not new. He did caution, however, against an alarmist view of American policy. The AIPAC speech did encourage the Likud opponents of the government's plan, saying that there was no U.S. endorsement of it and the U.S. was going to demand additional Israeli concessions prior to negotiations. Excerpts of the interview with Mr. Peres follow:
Mr. Peres: I think that the Secretary [of State James Baker] was mistaken in attributing the policy of one party to the entire government. There is no government decision for unlimited settlement. When we established this government, we decided upon establishing five to eight settlements, and no more. I do not know what is meant by "the dream of a Greater, Israel." I have a dream of a democratic, Jewish Israel, at peace with itself; this too is a dream. In a democratic country the right to dream is almost a personal matter. Moreover, the controversial issues have not been decided upon by the government. [A decision has not been made] in their favor, or against them. Therefore, in my opinion the main emphasis should be placed on the peace process."
Q: Does Baker's statement place political pressure on Israel?
A: I do not know how you define 'pressure.' I believe caution should be taken regarding the reports. Some of the reports which arrived from the U.S. regarding U.S. positions were in my opinion erroneous at first. Baker said some things that are not new; they were also the opinions held by former administrations. Some issues did not always appear simple to us, nor were we at ease with them; it was never so. Therefore the reality must be viewed as it is, and Israel must decide which Israel we want, and in what condition we want it.
Q: Are you as concerned by Baker's speech as Likud members seem to be?
A: I would like Baker to adopt all my views, all our views. There is no chance of this happening, as I know that on some matters there are differences of opinion between ourselves and the U.S. [These issues] are not surprising, they are not new; there is no point in covering them up, and there is no point in being alarmed by them.