Israel Rejects Soviet Role in Mideast Talks
Prime Minister Shimon Peres today rejected a role for the Soviet Union in Middle East peace talks, saying it would be “the most foolish thing that people who are looking for peace may do.”
Peres said that Moscow’s views are “more extreme than most extreme Arab states” and that its participation in the peace process would prevent any moderate Arabs from expressing their views.
Addressing the Zionist General Council in Jerusalem, the prime minister said Israel does not hate the Soviets, nor was it in conflict with the Soviet Union. But he said including the Soviets in negotiations would allow them “to declare their position, and by doing so, annul the chance of a more moderate Arab to take a more moderate position.”
Doubts on Jordan Talks
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir said he doubts that talks with Jordan are possible if King Hussein allows guerrillas of the Palestine Liberation Organization to train on Jordanian territory.
Shamir said reports that Hussein is allowing the PLO to train in Jordan are “very serious. It negates all the rumors of a new ‘peace tune’ and a new spirit of peace in Jordan.”
He said that “if these reports prove to be true, all talk of peace talks with Hussein is doubtful.”
Shamir has led right-wing opposition in Israel’s multiparty government to Peres’ efforts to open negotiations with Jordan.
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