Arafat Talks of War and Strategy

A jubilant Yasser Arafat projected an image of satisfaction and optimism as he talked with TIME Correspondent Wilton Wynn after the Rabat summit last week. The P.L.O. leader was not wearing his customary checkered kaffiyeh and dark glasses, but was dressed in an olive-drab military uniform and had a small pistol strapped to his belt. Over mint-flavored tea and pastries in the white guest villa that Morocco's King Hassan had provided him, Arafat smiled and chuckled often, his quick, jerky gestures reflecting boundless energy. Tired? Not at all, he said. "I only get tired when I don't work." Among the points he made in the interview:

ON THE DANGER OF WAR: It is my understanding that a majority of members of the Israeli Knesset are against any withdrawal from the West Bank. This leads me to believe that the Israelis are only asking [Premier Yitzhak] Rabin for time to prepare--asking for six months--by whichtime they will be politically and militarily in a position to demolish the effects of the October war. Their chief of staff, Mordechai Gur, declared that in the next war the element of surprise will be on the side of Israel. They have made it clear they intend to make a pre-emptive strike against the Syrians and Palestinians to begin the fifth Arab-Israeli war. It is the duty of the United Nations to bring pressure to bear [on Israel]. Otherwise, a catastrophe is coming to this area.

ON THE GENEVA CONFERENCE: The October war produced many new elements, new facts, new ways of dealing, and the Geneva conference is one of those things produced. Until now, this has been the only diplomatic channel open to us, but in my opinion it will not solve the Palestinian question. The Geneva conference could calm down the area, but it cannot produce a final and lasting peace.

ON A RECONCILIATION WITH KING HUSSEIN: We have reached agreement only on principles. We will have a meeting of the four powers [Egypt, Syria, Jordan and the P.L.O.] to discuss details. Only then will we understand the real situation. However, it is a new starting point.

ON THE U.S. ROLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST: The U.S. holds the key to Israel. You give Israel military, financial, diplomatic, political and technological support, and you support the increase of immigrants to Israel. But if you c ontinue this unlimited support year after year, your balance of payments will remain forever in deficit. Last year you officially gave Israel $2.2 billion, but my information is that the figure is closer to $5 billion. Does the American citizen and taxpayer know he is paying such a bill at a time when he is in such difficulties with inflation and economic crisis? But if you would act to solve the Palestinian problem, you and the whole Group of Ten [top Western industrialized nations] could start a new era of cooperation with the Arab countries.

ON MEETING WITH KISSINGER: I am against secret meetings, but I am willing to meet anyone, including Kissinger, in an encounter that is made known publicly and approved by the P.L.O. leadership.

ON ISRAEL AND THE OIL CRISIS: The Israelis are trying to use what is called the energy crisis for blackmail. They are trying to convince the West that they can be the spearhead of what is called the military solution.

ON ANY U.S. MILITARY ACTION: I sincerely hope the Americans will not make the mistake [of intervening militarily to secure the oilfields]. It will be an extremely misleading calculation if the Americans think other superpowers will not act.

ON THE PALESTINIAN PROBLEM: Remember this. We are not trying to kick anyone into the sea. Our ultimate, strategic aim is to create a united, democratic Palestine in which Christians, Jews and Moslems can live together in terms of equality. This will come about when a new generation of Israelis grows up and understands the mistakes of the older group. There already are many signs that this is being understood inside Israel--only small indications, but significant. We are only asking that we all live together. I not only hope the Israelis one day will accept this, but I predict that they will.

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