Jerusalem, 15 April 1996
FM DIR-GEN URI SAVIR BRIEFS FOREIGN AMBASSADORS
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
On Monday, 15.04.96, Foreign Ministry Director-General Uri Savir briefed
foreign ambassadors on the motives and objectives of Operation "Grapes of
Wrath".
From the outset Israel did not want a military action, and gave sufficient
time for diplomatic attempts to stabilize the situation in southern
Lebanon. Only when it became clear that these moves had failed, and
Katyusha barrages increased, did Israel resort to military means. It is
out of the question that there should be stability in Lebanon and attacks
on Israel.
The coming days will tell, he said, if it will be possible to achieve
stability and calm things down through the establishment of firm
agreements. Up until now, Israel has not taken any political initiatives,
but will consider any ideas that will be presented to it, so long as they
promote agreements which will further the required stability.
Savir said that our objective is to conduct the peace process with Syria
and Lebanon, and Hizbullah constitutes a minefield on this path. It is
important that this minefield be neutralized by all those who are
interested in promoting the process.
The struggle with Hizbullah is like the struggle with HAMAS and with Jihad
these three organizations have been guided by Teheran to destroy the
peace process. With regard to the Palestinians, the Palestinian Authority
is, today, fighting the terrorist organization's infrastructure to the
best of its ability, which, in the future will facilitate progress in the
peace process with the Palestinians.
Savir told the ambassadors that it is not enough to confront Hizbullah and
HAMAS, who seek to undermine the peace process. Behind them, the hand of
Iran, which provides assistance with weapons, support and money, can be
clearly seen. Terrorism has become, in its eyes, a tactical means in a
strategy intended to destroy the peace process, not least precisely
because of its success. Everyone who is interested in the success of the
process must clearly discern the Iranian's intentions, and must draw the
appropriate conclusions.
In answer to a question on the meeting of the Security Council, Savir said
that the real question is whether those with influence have a real
intention of putting an end to Hizbullah activities. If such a desire
exists, the problem will be solved; if it does not yet exist, the Security
Council will not be able to help, and it will engage only in an
inconclusive debate.