Sharon: 'We Don't Want to Escalate'
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon talked with Post columnist Lally Weymouth yesterday. These are excerpts from the interview.
Q: How do you see the current situation?
A: I told U.S. officials in recent meetings that there is a conflict between America's need to establish a coalition [to fight Iraq] and our need to fight Palestinian terrorism. [I said,] "Don't take any steps that might undermine the future security of the state of Israel."
The U.S. will win the war against Iraq, but then you will go home, and we will have to stay here facing these dangers.
Q: Are you concerned about U.S. pressure on Israel to make a deal with the Palestinians?
A: We have not been under pressure. I decided to give up my demand for seven days of quiet before negotiating with the Palestinians before Gen. Zinni arrived here. I did it because I found that the level of terror had become so high that I felt that it would be impossible to reach seven quiet days.
A few weeks ago when there were both Muslim and Jewish holy days, the Palestinians asked us not to act against them during their holy days. They said they would not conduct any terror acts. We accepted. There was a reduction. Instead of between 20 to 30 daily acts of terror, there were 16, 17 acts of terror. Once the holiday finished, a wave of terror started. Then, I decided to pursue the Tenet plan and get a cease-fire. If a cease-fire is declared but then violated by Arafat, we'll then have to take harder steps.
Q: What are you planning to do -- go after the Palestinian Authority with a military campaign or pursue a political process?
A: There should be a combination of military actions and talks. I am ready to discuss a cease-fire under fire, which is a change in my position. . . .
Q: Some people say settlements should be dismantled, Israel should withdraw from the territories and build a fence to separate Israel from the Palestinians. Your opinion?
A: This is only a good slogan. On Israel's northern border, we have the most sophisticated devices. Just a week ago, Hezbollah crossed the border and killed five civilians and one army officer. How do you build a wall that will protect us against rockets?
Q: What do you say to Binyamin Netanyahu, who suggests going after Arafat and disarming the Palestinian Authority?
A: There are 3 1/2 million Palestinians. Are we going once again to conduct their education, their health program? . . .
Q: The Palestinian Authority has broken nine or 10 cease-fires. Why would you trust Arafat?
A: I don't trust him, but we have to make an effort.
Q: But can it work?
A: How can one believe Arafat? He's violated all the agreements he's signed so far. Real pressure should be put on the Palestinian Authority by the Americans. The PA must understand that if it continues terrorism it will have to pay for it. . . .
Q: Will you allow Arafat to go to the Organization of the Islamic Conference meeting in Beirut?
A: I don't know if he's going to Beirut. We have not yet decided whether to let him go. In talking to the Americans, I suggested I'll go to Beirut to talk to the Arabs directly about what might be achieved and I would welcome an American initiative to advance such a move.
Q: Do you have a plan?
A: My plan is comprised of three stages: (1) A complete cease-fire in accordance with Tenet and implementation of the Mitchell plan; (2) a long-term interim agreement granting the Palestinians territorial contiguity without naming final borders; (3) The final borders of the two states would be determined by the future relations between Israel and the Palestinians and in the spirit of U.N. Resolutions Number 242 and 338.
Q: Does Arafat have control over the various terror groups?
A: Of course. Most of the terror now is conducted by forces that are under his full control. For example, the suicide bomber who struck yesterday was a policeman. He was a member of the Tanzim, which is the military arm of the Fatah. . . .
Q: Are you acting quietly to prevent terror?
A: During the last week we managed to capture or get rid of about 13 suicide bombers. If we had not acted, the number of casualties would have been much greater. They are now choosing targets where celebrations are taking place, weddings and bar mitzvahs. . . .
Q: What do you think Arafat really wants?
A: Former prime minister Barak promised him almost everything. He turned it down. I think Arafat would like to get concessions from Israel, and his final desire is that Israel be eliminated. One of his immediate goals is the destruction of the national unity government.
Q: Are you going to strike back at the PA?
A: We can wipe out the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure in a major operation, but must consider what else is happening in the Middle East. We don't want to escalate the situation.
Q: Could it turn into a wider war?
A: I'm very concerned about having Hezbollah and the Iranian revolutionary guards organizing on our northern border. Hezbollah is developing a terrorist infrastructure with Iranian assistance and Syrian support. Such a new front could lead to regional deterioration. American pressure on Lebanon and Syria is necessary . . .
Q: How does [Syrian President] Bashir Assad differ from his father?
A: He's much weaker. Hezbollah and the revolutionary guards never had it so good.
Q: What's your reaction to the recent plan proposed by the Saudis?
A: Every initiative is welcome. What's interesting is the vision of peace and normalization with all the Arab world. But there appears to be a precondition -- Israeli withdrawal to the '67 borders. Israel will not be able to do that if it wants to survive. Of course we are ready to talk to the Saudis. Israel can reach an agreement based on U.N. Resolutions Number 242 and 338. But the Arabs support the Saudi plan because they would like it to replace resolutions 242 and 338 [which speak of withdrawal to secure and recognized boundaries]. . . .
Q: Since Gen. Zinni arrived, has Arafat given one order to stop the terror?
A: Not one order. They have not done anything.
© 2002 The Washington Post Company
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