THIS ISSUE 60(P

THE JEWISH LOBBY:

Is THE
APPROACH
TOO
NARROW?

SERVING DETROIT'S JEWISH COMMUNITY

MARCH 18, 1988 / 29 ADAR 5748

Shamir Sidesteps Criticism

Israel's prime minister seeks to 'move forward' in a meeting on Capitol Hill
with Carl Levin and other signatories of the Senate letter

ELIZABETH KAPLAN

Staff Writer

Washington — In a private
meeting this week with three U.S.
senators, Israeli Prime Minister Yit-
zhak Shamir said the central problem
with Secretary of State George
Shultz's Middle East peace proposal
is that it calls for an international
conference — not that it may include
the relinquishing of occupied
territories.
Shamir requested the meeting
with Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich.,
Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and
Howard Metzenbaum, D-Ohio a week
after Levin drafted a letter which
praised the Shultz* peace initiative
and expressed dismay at Shamir's in-
sistence that he would not consider
surrendering the territories in ex-
change for peace.
Shamir arrived in Washington on
Monday for talks with President
Ronald Reagan and other U.S.
leaders. He was expected to stay in

Mediators David Tanzman wilmtlp ,pf
and Shlomo Sperka
have deep roots in
resolving conflicts

Washington through the week.
good, "forward-looking" session
In an exclusive interview at his devoted to advancing the Middle East
Captiol Hill office with The Jewish peace process.
"This was a meeting between sup-
News, Levin said Shamir "told us a
couple of times that everything is porters of Israel and the Prime
negotiable once direct, bilateral Minister, and he was clearly aware of
negotiations begin."
it," Levin said.
He added that the Prime Minister
During the meeting, Shamir
reiterated that "everything can be "wanted and solicited our advice on
discussed" when the senators asked how to improve Israel's image on the
the Israeli leader if he clearly American political scene."
Levin said he understands
understood how such comments could
Shamir's concerns about the interna-
be interpreted.
Levin said Shamir did not discuss tional conference. He added that the
United States has always favored
the letter.
As the meeting began, Levin said, direct negotiations and never pushed
he asked the Prime Minister if the for the conference.
Levin said that in his talks with
meeting should move forward or
backward — a reference to the letter Shamir he proposed an alternative to
signed by 30 senators, all staunch the conference, but declined to give
supporters of Israel. Shamir respond- further details.
In the interview, Levin, who just
ed: "Let's move forward."
Levin said he was somewhat sur- this week returned from a trip to the
prised, but added he expected the Soviet Union, also discussed for the
meeting to focus primarily on other first time the letter praising the
Shultz peace initiative.
issues.
He termed the meeting a very Continued on Page 28

