FBIS Coverage of the Middle East Peace Talks- 1978 September

/.19 Sep 1
PPROVED FOR RELEASE CIA HISTORICAL COL TIONS DIVISION AR 70-14 131%hA01
We will also have to see what exactly is in the agreement with reference to Jerusalem, thathas not yet been publicizedewhether there is an agreement, or whether there is none--butas I said when As-Sadat came tovisit Jerusalem, we are in- no opposition to peace.
[Question] I would like to read to you a few lines from a member of t e. Eliyahu Speiser, who said that he will ufcond fotmanmlesuof teemarty bureau,gem
being the best .thing that.has happened to Israe an spport the agreement, the agreement
Eliyahu Speiser, and notyosi San , for example, but specifically Speiser? How, in
your opinion, does it happen that people who are considered, let us say, as hawks, orpeople who are doves regard this agreement as a breakthrough, let us call it?
[Answer] I am very glad that this is Speiser~s opinion, but in every democratic party thereare various opinions and each person must see the whole picture. Thus, it is impossible,
for example, to separate the achievement of peace and its price. These are not two separatethings, they are one comprehensive thing, and when a person makes an overall summary, hecan reach either this or another conclusion. After all, we are not dealing with imagesbut with decisions and these--as we have always claimed-eare difficult and must be made
despite the price involved.
(Question] Following the signing of the framework agreement. and the ensuing debate whichwill take place in the Knesset--and in general it seems that all .the parties and the entirepolitical system will discuss this issue in the next few months--in lightiof this,hdoeyoue
foresee any turbulence within various parties? n
[Answer From a certain point of view, I think that the decision made at Camp David put
an end to the political polarizationwiheitd OboulteLidisolngr hait used to be and what you read from Eliyahu S eield. Oviously the Likud is no longer what
read from other m ses words we would probably be able torafrmohrparty members in other places as well.-
aQuestion] yes, of course, At this very moment, for example, a meeting is taking place* at ;IIflGerula Kohenrs place, taking the other extreme; of course..
[Answer] Yes, and I assume that if it had been the Alinement which had made such an
agreement, certainly Mr Begin and his colleagues would have attacked it, but this is notthe consideration, as I have said before. There will' certainly be a discussion in ourparty. Today the bureau is convening and I do not foresee crises in the Labor Party. Weave been educated in making great decisions and have never demanded of others things thatwe ourselves cannot carry out. We have argued for peace and for security. I, for example,an very happy that. Mr Beedn wl now enjoy th suppait of the Peace Now Movement; perhapsthe movement itself indeed fulfilled a certain role in this issue. So, on the one handthere is an end to the national polarization even though, of course, there are still variousmarginal activities.
[Question] Do you thik that in general our political system is. constructed in .such a'way that it can accept a peace agreement?-
Answer) I never doubted this for even a moment. i believe that it is easier for us asJews to stand up agaiorct bg things than to .cope with everyday life. We are a nation ofgreat historic decisions a nation which encounters difficulties in everyday life. .I. assume- th rtt thebigacdhisir_ will be accptedr or thegreatness of it-, both regarding its. greatnesswith respect to uthe achievement and regarding ts price and its sorrows, and in niy opinion' cshe course f our history should have been redirected toward peace, and I am glad that-thischange has taken place, This is my basic, deep feeling.