Deputy Press Secretary Speakes on Postponement of Begin Visit
(July 19, 1983)
The President, as you know, spoke this morning with
Prime Minister Begin regarding the postponement of the Prime Minister's visit to Washington,
which had been scheduled for next week.
While we regret the President and the Prime Minister will not be able
to meet next week, we look forward to rescheduling the meeting before
the end of the year.
Meanwhile, we anticipate discussions on the Middle East peace process
with Israel and other nations in the region will continue. We see this
as in no way an impediment to the progress of our peace initiative in
Lebanon or in the region as a whole. Secretary Shultz has just completed
an extensive round of talks with the leaders of Israel, Syria, Egypt,
Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan regarding the current situation. In
Israel, he had detailed discussions with the Prime Minister, the Foreign
Minister, and the Defense Minister. We anticipate our diplomatic discussions
will continue at all levels during this critical period.
As far as the President is concerned, we will continue our pursuit
of the full withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, the reestablishment
of Lebanon's sovereignty over all its territory, and the security of
its borders. We will continue to have discussions with all parties leading
toward this objective.
At the same time, we will continue our pursuit of peace as outlined
by the President last September 1.
Note: Deputy Press Secretary Larry M. Speakes read the statement to
reporters assembled in the Briefing Room at the White House for the
daily press briefing, which began at 12:30 p.m.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Speakes announced that Prime
Minister Menachem Begin of Israel telephoned the President that morning
to say that he would have to postpone his visit to the United States
for personal reasons.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |