In early October Israel suggested to the PLO that it nominate the officials who will look after the economy, security, police and other spheres of government activities in Gaza and Jericho. The PLO was waiting for the convening of its Executive Council on 10 October. At this time support for the 13 September DOP among the Gaza and Jericho Palestinians was estimated at some 65%. But Hamas elements resorted to violence and terror hoping to frustrate the moves towards Israel's withdrawal and PLO takeover. The Israeli army reacted with a crackdown on Hamas activists, fearing they will lead Gaza to anarchy. Mr. Peres suggested that Syria was not necessarily the key to Middle Eastern peacemaking. Mr. Peres also responded to a statement by Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan to the effect that lifting the Arab economic boycott on Israel would be "economic suicide," by saying that in his own meeting with the crown prince at the White House, it was agreed to form an Israel-Jordan- U. S. Committee of Six for Economic Development and Cooperation. He denied secret meetings and agreements on Jerusalem as alleged by President Assad. Text:
Q: Mr. Foreign Minister, if I could begin with the aftermath of the accord. The first angry demonstrations among Palestinians has been down in Gaza over the Israeli security crackdown in the region. What can you tell us about reasons for that?
A: For the time being, we are the only force around to police the situation against criminals and terrorists and so on. Rather soon there will be a Palestinian police force and they will handle in the future the whole story. Because, you know, basically one nation cannot dominate another people, cannot police another people. And the other reasons why we have suggested to the Palestinians self-government is because we feel that it is for them to elect their leaders and to arrest their criminals.
Q: But why this crackdown at this time, particularly during this very uncertain period where there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, and this has always been a real sore spot in Gaza and the other areas? Why was it so important to initiate this kind of crackdown at this moment?
A: Because they are trying to assassinate the peace process and we have to prevent them from doing so. If we shall not do it, they may kill both Palestinians and Israelis - (inaudible).
Q: But a recent poll showed that 65 percent of the people in Gaza are in favor of the peace accord, not supporting the pledge of Hamas and other radical groups to sabotage the accord. How concerned are you that this kind of crackdown at this time might cause the support in the area to backfire against Israel?
A: You know, there is a very nice African proverb that says that even if you put a tiny little stone in a basket full of eggs, you must be careful. It is thought that generally there is a great support for the peace process, both on the Palestinian side and on our side. May I say something which is not generally being said: it goes better than we have thought, but still there are islands of opposition, of terror that we have to handle carefully so they will not break innocent eggs in the basket.
Q: Well, do you and the PLO - although the PLO has condemned this crackdown as you know, do you have some community of understanding about how opposition and violent opposition will be handled in this transitional period? I mean, in other words, the criticism that we've heard against the government, from the PLO, is that something you all have kind of - have a tacit understanding about?
A: The problem is that we have suggested to the Palestinians to nominate their people that will be in charge of economy, of security, of law, etc. But they have encountered some difficulties because they have said they could not nominate their people before the meeting of their Executive Council which will take place only on the 10th of this month. So, we are ready to hand over in a paradoxical way even before they are ready to take it over. And I hope this will happen soon.
Q: How much confidence do you have in the PLO's ability to handle its radical flank?
A: I think they have no choice. First of all, let me say the following: The Palestinian people are an intelligent people, they have a lot of intelligent leaders, representatives, who are capable to run their own affairs. I don't believe they need us. The only problem is they don't have the precedent or the experience to do so. But there is no replacement for time in order to get experience and before too long, I believe they will be able to run their own affairs.
Q: So, in the meantime, will the Israelis continue to hunt down radical opponents of the accord or people wanted for violent activities in the occupied territories?
A: Let me be very clear. We are not going to [hunt] anybody because he opposes the peace or because he opposes the PLO. We shall try to prevent people who are opposed from using arms. The test is a criminal one or a test of violence, not a test of ideas and not a test of expression.
Q: This is one of the inevitable frustrations of a government having to deal with a group that's been a liberation movement for so many years?
A: Not totally. We imagine that there will be some complications because for the PLO to go over from a political and in a way terroristic movement into a responsible self-government is quite a change. And you know, governments are based on precedents not less than on laws. And when you don't have the precedent, it's very hard to govern.
My own mentor, David Ben-Gurion, always used to say, "All experts are experts for things that did happen. You don't have experts for things that may happen." So here when it comes to things that may happen, we have to be very pragmatic, very determined, and I believe in a way very generous.