The real issue for the Israelis was not dates, he said. "That's a trivial issue. What's not trivial is the idea of a direct channel between us and the Arabs, where there is give and take, and not something imposed from above." That was an argument • that resonated well within the Bush administration. "There were people in the administration who felt that this was just another Shamir ploy designed to keep anything from happening," said one administration source. "But there was also a recognition of what the Israeli government was say- ing. "If they had just been fighting about venue, there would have been a sharp reaction. But I think that on a certain level, there was a recognition that Israel was making a valid point — even if the form that point took made people here very un- comfortable." But an even more impor- tant reason for the muted administration response — which was interpreted by the Israelis as an important victory —was Secretary of State Baker's overarching desire to keep the precarious process from stalling. In private conversations with administration officials and through Mr. Netanyahu's public pro- nouncements, the Israelis made it clear that they had deliberately chosen a format for their protest that would not put the entire peace pro- cess at serious risk. "The administration understood this," Mr. Hordes said. "You had Arab parties who had their own reasons for being here, who were not going to walk out. So Israel, with a reasonable calculus and a bit of good luck, adopted a policy that turned out to be successful." Israel backe'd up that mes- sage with deliberate indica- tions that once their point was made, they would be ready for negotiations on substantive issues, not just more procedural wrangling. And — to the Israelis, the most important signal — administration officials pointedly told the Arab delegations to talk directly to the Israelis about the vex- ing prOcedural issues that were threatening the peace talks. American officials fretted that any "humiliation" of the sensitive Palestinian delega- tion could add a dangerous new obstacle to the negotia- tions. ❑ ARE YOU BETTER OFF WITH TAX- FREE MUNICIPAL BONDS OR TAXABLE BONDS AND CDs? CALL FOR OUR FREE 1991 CALCULATOR TODAY. Usually the taxable yield sounds more attrac- tive. But are you really better off after you pay your federal and state income taxes? Find out quickly with Shearson Lehman Brothers' free Taxable Equivalent Yield Calculator. And determine at a glance whether tax-free or taxable investments are right for you. Call now to receive your free calculator. 313-64 540- 3200 or CALL: 8103016408:1513 FOR OUR FREE 1991 CALCULATOR Municipal Bonds may be subject to the alternative minimum tax. Member SIPC. ©1991 Shearson Lehman Brothers Inc. SHFARSON LEHMAN BROTHERS Wally Sampson, Sr. V.P. Ken Brandt, Sr. V.P. Financial Consultants Studio In Harvard Row Mall If you are not wearing it . . . sell it! You can't enjoy jewelry if it's sitting in your safe deposit box. Sell it for immediate cash. We pur- chase fine gems. Diamonds and Gold Jewelry. GEM/DIAMOND SPECIALISTS A SERVICE TO PRIVATE OWNERS BANKS & ESTATES AWARDED CERTIFICATE BY GIA IN GRADING & EVALUATION 30400 Telegraph Rd. Suite 134 Bingham Farms 642.5575 Hours: DAILY 10-5:30 THURS. 10-7 SAT. 10-3 Fine Jewelers EST. 1919 " ' I 4 !2/.( c 15r I l_ 1 fi \ pi List 4 20/dz \ *Pick-up Only \ , .- y---- \ I I With Macauley's Coupon Li it one dozen per customer. ',_ - - ,N . m ' I ALL NAME BRANDS BIC BIRO BALLPOINT PENS*I . roo offi c . t ice. I sWi * 50%-70% OFF SALE dozen 14 locations throughout Michigan. 12 Mile & Southfield Rd. Green-tight Center 1-800-462-1853 (313) 569-1376 (313) 967-2550 Sale ends December 31, 1991. *Pick-up price/delivery extra. • • • • Vertical Blinds Levolor Blinds Pleated Shades Wood Blinds 21728 W. Eleven Mile Rd. Harvard Row Mall Southfield, MI 48076 Free Professional Measure at No Obligation Free in Home Design Consulting Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5 -I THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 35