FBIS Coverage of the Middle East Peace Talks- 1978 September

9 sep7'8 N 1TAIT
PPROVED FOR RELEASE CIA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS DIVISION AR 70-14-13NOV201
The most important thing, which has impressed me up to now, is that Egypt--true, after
the fulfilling of all its demands--is prepared to sign a peace treaty with Israel, to allow
an interim period of 5 years in eveiything involving the future of Judaea, Samaria and
the Gaza Strip; the solution of the Palestinian problem and peace with Jordan, beyond what
Israel has agreed to to date. If it turns out that the problem of the sovereignty over
the territories--if it 'turns out that the future of Jerusalem, first and foremost, the
future of East Jerusalem. and also~the future of the settlements, the footholds, in Judaea
and Samaria and the Gaza Strip, these three things, their problem does indeed remain open
for a decision at the end of the 5 years, I think that this is a great and impressive
achievement. [sentence as heard]
I have no details. Is there an Israeli commitment, of any kind whatsoever concerning the
fate of Jerusalem, concerning the future of the sovereignty over the territories, concerning
the fate of the settlements, the footholds in Judaea and Samaria? If these have remained
open questions on which Israel still has freedom of maneuver with regard to how these
things will. be decided in another 5 years, that is, after peace is made between Egypt and
Israel, after we experience having peace between the main Arab country, Egypt, and Israel--
I regard this as a great achievement. I saw this even before the Camp David conference
and I also wrote about it, as the main direction guaranteeing peace.
{Ram] What about the future of the settlements in the Rafah approaches?
[Rabin] I have the impression that Egypt will present this as a condition and I hear that
the prime minister and the Israeli delegation at Camp David have in fact left this issue
for the Knesset's decision. I. imagine that the problem will be put to the nation and the
Knesset. Will peace rise or fall on this?
[Ram) Professor Arens, what are the main changes which have occurred, as far as we have
heard and as far as the information changes in Mr Begin's, the prime minister's, peace
program, as it was presented in December?
[Arens] Yes. On the basis of what has been reported-up to now, and if I have not forgotten
anything and not made any mistakes, it appears to me that this is: A. In Sinai, the
.withdrawal from the demand for control over the airfields; B. Agreement to the fact that
diplomatic relations will be founded only after the main withdrawal, if I have understood
correctly what has been reported, not with the signing of. the agreement, but only.after...
[Rabin] That was in the peace program prepared by the cabinet... -
[Arens] That peaceful relations would be founded..
[Rabin) Only after... -
[Arens] That may be so. At any rate, I regard this as a concession, because, traditionally,
peaceful relations, diplomatic relations, are established right away with .the signing of
a peace agreement.
,With regard to Judaea. and Samaria, there is an understanding, as was reported, for a halt to
settlement in the area. These are not things we agreed to, or discussed a willingness to
agree -to, beforehand.. .If "-have understood correctly., -there is a willingness to permit
- the Jordanian.police to enter .Judaea and Samaria; there is a willingness to restrict the
IDF presence to certain bases.