Christopher to Urge Israeli-PLO Dialogue

Secretary of State Warren Christopher, in Israel today for his first meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu since the Likud Party leader became Israel’s prime minister, said he will urge the new government chief to foster the kind of “good communications” with the Palestinians his predecessors had.

Christopher, whose trip comes amid rising complaints by Palestinians about their limited access to Netanyahu, said en route Monday that he will offer no specific advice on how to keep channels open to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and his aides.

But he said, “It’s obvious that the previous government had very good communications in various ways with Chairman Arafat, and I’d urge the prime minister to do that.”

Since the May 29 election, Palestine Liberation Organization officials have complained that the group has been unable to discern the real intentions of Netanyahu, who campaigned on pledges to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. And they have expressed concern that their access to the new leader comes through one official and that the access has been limited.

U.S. officials are downplaying expectations for Christopher’s meeting today with Netanyahu in Jerusalem and his subsequent talks with Arafat and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. But they are clearly hoping that Netanyahu will indicate whether his campaign promises will force a change in direction in the peace process.

Speaking to reporters aboard his Air Force jet, Christopher said he plans to offer Netanyahu a “history lesson” on the 3 1/2-year peace effort.

U.S. officials have put an optimistic gloss on Netanyahu’s statements last week that Israel would have no preconditions for talks with the Arabs, as well as on his comment that Israel would observe existing obligations regarding its neighbors and the peace process.

Some Israeli officials, however, have downplayed the significance of Netanyahu’s statements.

Christopher minimized the warnings of Arab leaders who gathered over the weekend in Cairo and who hinted at a break in relations with Israel if it doesn’t withdraw from former Arab lands.

Christopher’s sessions with Netanyahu will lay the groundwork for a meeting between the Israeli leader and President Clinton next month.