BEHIND THE HEADLINES I Shamir To Rally Troops Before Washington Visit CHARLES HOFFMAN Special to The Jewish News A bout a year ago, Prime Minister Yitz- hak Shamir flew off to Washington with the intifada raging at home, braced for some arm-twisting aimed at getting Israel to accept an in- ternational conference and the dreaded "territory for peace" formula. His efforts to stand up to the Reagan Ad- ministration's pressure were reinforced by the rousing emotional reception he received from the UJA Young Leadership in Washington and from other Jewish au- diences around the country. The stakes are now higher as Shamir prepares for another Washington trip, pro- bably in April. Uncle Sam is talking to Yassir Arafat and statesmen the world over are lining up to shake the PLO leader's hand. And the in- tifada shows no signs of abating. Shamir, too, plans to up the ante, by convening a con- ference of Jewish leaders from We want Diaspora Jewish leaders to strengthen Israel's position in the peace process." around the world just before his trip, and asking them to line up in support of the Israeli government. Several thousand letters to Jewish leaders are now going out in- viting them to attend "The Prime Minister's Conference on Jewish Solidarity with Israel," to be held March 19-22. However, some of the par- ticipants in the meeting of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations — held in Jerusalem this past week — were skeptical about the suc- cess of such an ambitious venture. In a letter sent by Shamir to invitees to pre-conference deliberations, where draft resolutions will be prepared, he wrote that "in view of re- cent developments in the Middle East, there is an urgent need to strengthen the relationship of solidarity bet- ween Israel and all Jews around the world. The government of Israel expects the entire Jewish people to stand at Israel's side in its quest for peace, security and prosperity?' Such a gathering appears to be unprecedented. Prime Minister Levi Eshkol conven- ed an economic conference for world. Jewry just after the 1967 Six Day War, but no premier in the past 20 years has called world Jewish leaders together with the hope that they will endorse the government's position on the peace process. The con- ference will deal with economic issues and tourism, but the main thrust will be political. The conference has bipar- tisan sponsorship, with Likud minister Ehud Olmert and Labor minister Mordechai Gur named by Shamir as coordinators. Both are now flying around the world talk- ing to prominent Jews and heads of Jewish organizations in an attempt to sell them on "Solidarity with Israel." We want Diaspora Jewish leaders to strengthen Israel's position in the peace process," Gur said, "but we aren't ask- ing them to come and vote blindly in support of the government. World Jewry's support at this juncture is im- portant, because it can help us stand up to unjustified pressures." He expects some 1,000 participants from 60 communities and organiza- tions to attend. Gur expressed the hope "that the resolution that comes out of this conference is close to the resolution adopted in early January by the Knesset." That resolution called for continuing the peace process as outlined by Camp David, renewing negotiations for the establish- ment of full autonomy for the Arab inhabitants of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza District,- and expressed Israel's willingness to talk with Palestinians who reject terror. It specifies that Israel will not negotiate with the PLO and rejects the concept of a separate Palestinian state. Gur would like to see a con- federation emerge between Israel, Jordan and the Palesti- nians — he is careful to say "Palestinians" and not PLO. But he also supports the cur- rent dialogue between the U.S. and the PLO, which he believes can clarify the issues and positions that will even- tually be raised in talks with Israel.- The Likud, however, is bitterly opposed to this dialogue, and tends to see autonomy as a way of main- taining control over "the Whole Land of Israel." e en Call 357-5578 for current prices 26400 West Twelve Mile Rd. • Southfield, MI • (313) 357-5578 - ginages, az& Oc eyt Yit gr eir& a.storn, gr iasezth." .1 .azetOeisf,/m, TABLES WALL UNITS BAR UNITS BEDROOM SETS ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS OFFICE FURNITURE CUSTOM BATHROOM VANITIES WE CAN DO IT ALL!! CUSTOM MADE ON PREMISES 47998 West Road, Wixom Call 669-5810 Ms. Threads contemporary women's fashions Special Introductory 61-3Q1 AG MLE 2 Days Only — ALL PRICES REDUCED — 10 - 5:30 Additional 20% Fri., Feb. 24 Additional 25% Sat., Feb. 25 10 - 5:00 Always 20% - 60 Below Retail Prices Slashed Drastically On Fall/Winter Items Too! HUNTERS SQUARE 14 Mile & Orchard Lake Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 48018 855-4464 All Sales Final Prior Sales Excluded NO O. THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 17