Begin to take strict line

Press, 15 April 1980, Page 9

Begin to take strict line

NZPA-Reuter Jerusalem The Israeli Prime Minister (Mr Menachem Begin) has left for talks with President Carter! in -Washington but Israeli .'officials had little hope of a breakthrough in the stalled negotiations with Egypt on Palestinian autonomy.

Mr Begin will hold two 1 days of talks with Mr Carter, who last week 'met the Egyptian President (Mr Anwar Sadat) in an attempt to find a formula for Palestinian self-rule in Israeli-occupied territories before the target date of May 26. The United States has been trying for 10 months to bridge wide gaps separating Egyptian and Israeli interpretations of the 1978 Camp David accords, the basis for the autonomy negotiations and of last, year’s EkgyptIsrael peace treaty. . Egypt’s reading of the accords is that the 1.2 million Palestinians on the West Bank of Jordan and Gaza Strip should be granted extensive measures of self-rule, including legislative and judicial powers.

But Israel rejects such a scheme, saying it would eventually lead to a Palestinian State which could endanger Israeli security. Israel’s autonomy proposals are strictly limited. Israeli officials at the weekend expressed concern at reports from Washington that Mr Begin would be presented with a joint EgyptianAmerican document worked out by the two Presidents last week. One official said Mr Begin intended to adhere to Israel’s interpretation of Camp David and added: “If such a document does exist and if it deviates from these agreements, then very little will be achieved.” Israel looked certain to come under strong pressure from the United States and Egypt to stop, building Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. Mr Begin has said Israel would refuse even to suspend building while negotiations are going on.

Another issue that will have to be tackled i-s the future of Arab East Jerusalem.