In late June and early July reports circulated in Israel that the U.S. was seeking to upgrade its ties with the PLO and a meeting with Arafat was not ruled out. Israel was divided on this issue. The Likud wanted to ignore any reports the U.S. brought from its meetings with the PLO leadership. Labour thought that the U.S.-PLO dialogue was a political reality that Israel has to live with. Both Mr. Rabin and Mr. Peres said they would want to hear such reports. Excerpts of Mr. Peres' interview follow:
Q: What is your response to the expansion of the level of U.S.-PLO talks, which may even include meetings with Yasser Arafat?
A: The moment the U.S. began its discussions with the PLO, the issue of level took on less importance. I do not know of any meetings with Arafat; but the U.S. takes its talks with the PLO seriously, and this is a political fact which Israel must take into account.
Q: How does the U.S.-PLO dialogue fit in with the political plan?
A: The political plan calls on the Arabs of the territories to participate in elections and to arrive at an overall democratization of the political solution. This means a political solution that will not be built upon revolutionaries and a revolutionary council, but will rest upon an elected representation of the territories. Of course, they may consult with whomever they wish, just as they may not use terror. This must be our basic approach. When we talk with the U.S., we must be aware that the U.S. also talks with the PLO; it should not come as a surprise to
US.
Q: Regarding the talks with the PLO, what are the various approaches?
A: There are not various approaches. I would say there are various excuses, not various approaches. Does anyone propose boycotting the U.S. because of this?
Q: There are those who propose to boycott U.S. reports regarding the talks.
A: If we boycott the reports, will these reports disappear? If an ostrich buries its head in the sand, does the world disappear? Of course, the ostrich can decide that this action is first class diplomacy; it will not accept reports from the daylight or from the surroundings. What has it accomplished by this?
Q: What is your reaction to Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin's remark that he would not leave the room when he hears reports about talks with the PLO?
A: We are interested in reports - as up to date and as direct as possible - we need this in order to weigh the facts. I am a little surprised at these gestures which are empty of content.
Q: How do you, as an outside observer, feel about the stage that the political plan must go through at the Likud's central committee?
A: I am not well-informed as to the happenings in the Likud, and I tend not to interfere in its affairs. Basically, if the Likud places "Denver Boots" on the peace initiative, it will not be able to advance. The initiative is not a peace plan, and it is not called peace initiative by chance. It has a degree of flexibility and openness, and it was intended to arrive at pe ace; not to make an impression. Of course, when talking about peace, it must be taken into account that there is another side, which may also present various demands and proposals. Therefore, the principle items, such as elections, the stages of the negotiations, the interim arrangement, and the permanent settlement, are the pillars of the plan. But there are many things open to discussion, such as the vote by the Arabs of East Jerusalem.