Israel Insists on No PLO Role in Peace Talks

Prime Minister Shimon Peres said today that Israel is prepared to settle the Palestinian issue in an “honorable” way but maintained that the PLO has ruled itself out of the peace process with a campaign of terror.

He also hinted that Israel might accept a limited Soviet role in setting up negotiations with the Arabs but reiterated his nation’s objections to an international conference, which could include both the Soviets and the PLO.

Peres, in a speech and a question-and-answer session, said the Palestinians could participate in the peace talks, either as part of a mixed delegation with Jordanians or as a separate group.

He committed Israel to resolving the Palestinian issue, saying, “We have to solve this issue in an honorable manner.”

‘Militant Policies’

But Peres said that even though the Palestinians see the PLO as their spokesman, Yasser Arafat’s group “is incapable to disengage itself from its very militant policies.”

The Israeli leader cited the attack last month at Larnaca, Cyprus, in which three Israelis were killed, and the PLO’s refusal last week to sign a statement accepting Israel’s right to exist in order to hold talks with the British government.

Referring to the Larnaca incident, Peres said, “Today it is no longer in doubt it was planned, controlled and executed under the guidance of the PLO’s chairman.”

As for Soviet involvement, Peres maintained that the Soviet Union wanted to participate in order to show it is an equal power to the United States.

Ideas on International Support

Since Jordan’s King Hussein wants the Soviets there, Peres said, “If an international support for direct negotiations will be important to the leaders of the other party, I think we have some ideas how to provide international support for direct negotiations.”

Secretary of State George P. Shultz, who appeared with Peres today before reporters, said, “I don’t think there is any disagreement between us about the need for Palestinian representation, but what is the right representation?

“And, second, particularly as King Hussein has identified the appropriate international auspices as being of great significance to him, we (will) try to seek a way to find that,” Shultz said in reference to the king’s call for an international Mideast conference.