‘Haven’t Retreated 1 Inch From Israel,’ Reagan Says : Declares PLO Must Prove Word

President Reagan assured Israel today that the U.S. decision to open talks with the Palestine Liberation Organization does not signal “one inch” of retreat from American commitment to Israeli security.

At a White House photo session, the President responded to questions about the dramatic policy change in which he authorized public dialogue between his waning Administration and the PLO.

Also at the session was President-elect George Bush, who could continue the policy.

Asked why he thought he could trust the PLO after 13 years of official U.S. rejection of the organization, Reagan said, “Well, because the words have been spoken and the words were the words that we have been stating were necessary.”

Actions to Be Watched

The words in question were spoken Wednesday by PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat at a news conference. Arafat made it clear, said Secretary of State George P. Shultz, that the PLO “accepts U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338, the recognition of Israel’s right to exist in peace and security and to renounce terrorism.”

Reagan stressed today that the words “must be matched by performance.” He told reporters, “If they’re not, why, we’re back where we started.”

He later held out the threat of an immediate cessation of contacts if the Palestinians do not abide by their statements.

As for Israel’s negative reaction to the U.S. announcement, Reagan said he does not think the Jewish state should be fearful of the gesture to its longtime enemy.

“Well, I don’t think so in the sense that we have made it very plain that we have not retreated one inch from our position of guaranteeing the safety of Israel,” he said.

No Timetable for Talks

Reagan noted that no talks had begun today and no timetable had been set. U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Robert H. Pelletreau Jr., a career Foreign Service officer and veteran of Middle East negotiations, was termed “the only authorized channel” for the dialogue and was told to make himself available to the PLO.

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater confirmed that Pelletreau had contacted PLO headquarters today to “simply establish himself as the contact point for any discussions.”

Fitzwater added that U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas R. Pickering had notified Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir of the decision Wednesday evening, and he said Shultz sent letters to Shamir and to Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.

“It’s too early to speculate (on the outcome),” Fitzwater said. “We hope a dialogue has been started . . . a first step has been taken. . . . Our position on the creation of a Palestinian state is that it is a matter of negotiations. We do not recognize a Palestinian state.”

Bush Backs Decision

Asked about the future, Bush told reporters at the White House photo session that he would offer no specifics until after Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.

“I haven’t spelled out any hopes about it,” the vice president said. “I support the President’s decision and we’ll see how things can evolve. My position remains the same. I want to see direct talks, for example, between . . . King Hussein of Jordan and the Israelis. So this is just one step.”

He concluded, “There’s no game plan. There’s no five-point program.”