Delicate task for French

Press, 2 March 1982, Page 8

Delicate task for French

NZPA Jerusalem The French President (Mr Francois Mitterrand) faces the delicate task of making ten speeches in Israel this week that are likely to annoy either the Israelis or the Arabs of both, diplomatic observers have said in Jerusalem. Mr Mitterrand is the first Western European head' of State to run the diplomatic risk of coming to Israel, which has been shunned by practically every country except the United States. Officials of isolated Israel admit that his visit will be an unhoped for development after practically all governments denounced Israel for its air raids .on Iraq and Lebanon, and its annexation of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. Therefore, Israeli leaders have refrained from scathing criticism of French official statements that the Palestinians have a right to a State of their own. But Menachem Begin’s Government hopes Mr Mitterrand’s trip will not merely be a good-will gesture. They hope France will restrain the Common Market countries from taking prb-Arab initiatives from now on instead of urging them to do so as in the past. Mr Mitterrand has explained that he will come “neither as a mediator nor arbitrator but as a friend who does not need to flatter — so that they will count on him.” A French official in Paris said Mr Mitterrand’s goal was to first persuade the Israelis he is a friend, and then warn them that their long-range security depends on striking a bargain with the P.L.O.