Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
Body:
FBIS 111 (SEE 103)
PERES SAYS ARGUMENTS, CRISIS CHARACTERIZE U.S.-ISRAELI RELATIONS
TA 12 1255 JERUSALEM DOMESTIC SERVICE I N HEBREW 1000 GMT 12 APR 75 TA
(TEXT) DEFENSE MINISTER SHIM"ON PERES HAS SAID THAT WE
ARE NOW IN THE MIDST OF ARGUMENTS AND CRISIS IN OUR RELATIONS
WITH THE UNITED STATES AND THAT THERE IS NO POINT IN
CONCEALING THIS FACT. HOWEVER, THE DEFENSE MINISTER BELIEVES
THAT THIS IS A PASSING CRISIS AND THAT WE CAN WITHSTAND
THE ARGUMENT WITH WASHINGTON. MR PERES SAID THAT IF THE ARMS
SUPPLY FROM THE UNITED STATES DRIES UP WE SHOULD PREPARE OURSELVES
TO TACKLE THIS SITUATION MAINLY BY INCREASING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION,
WORKING MORE, SAVING THE EQUIPMENT AND PRESERVING IT. THE
DEFENSE MINISTER WAS INTERVIEWED ON THE ARMY RAO10.
MR PERES REAFFIRMED THAT IN HIS OPINION THE GOVERNMENT DECISION
REGARDING THE QUESTION OF TALKS WITH KISSINGER WAS
RIGHT MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE WORLD WHICH
IS REFLECTED IN THE COLLAPSE OF GUARANTEES, THE ERUPTION OF WARS,
AND THE TREMENDOUS PRESSURES ON SMALL NATIONS. THE DEFENSE
MINISTER BELIEVES THAT ISRAEL CAME OUT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH
KISSINGER NOT WITH A BROKEN SPIRIT, BUT WITH A FEELING OF
INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM.
REPLYING TO ANOTHER QUESTION THE DEFENSE MINISTER SAID THAT
I N T A CERTAIN SENSE SYRIA I S TODAY THE MOST DANGEROUS ENEMY BECAUSE
ITT IS THE COUNTRY WHICH HAS ENJOYED THE LARGEST REARMAMENT OF ITS
AIR FORCE. ALSO ITS POLICIES ARE THE MOST EXTREME. THE DEFENSE
MINISTER BELIEVES THAT DAMASCUS FEELS THAT IT IS NOT EASY TO
BATTLE THE IDF, BUT HE SAID HE WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED BY A SYRIAN
MOVE.
THE DEFENSE MINISTER POINTED OUT THAT RECENTLY AN EXTREMIST
TENDENCY HAS APPEARED I N THE POLICY OF KING HUSAYN OF JORDAN,
WE MUST CONSIDER THIS SERIOUSLY, PERES SAID.
THE DEFENSE MINISTER ALSO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO
INCREASE THE SELF-GOVERNMENT I N THE TERRITORIES.
- 12 APR - 174 OZ B C S/ C H
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/02/14: LOC-HAK-157-5-17-4
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/02/14: LOC-HAK-157-5-17-4