Word: eban
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...Eban: There is no Israeli "interpretation." Those who first proposed and supported the resolution induced us to accept it by declaring subtly that it did not rule out a boundary negotiation and a boundary agreement. Any other interpretation is a forgery...
...Zayyat: We support the evacuation of all our lands. We insist on it. We got 13 votes for our interpretation last July in the Security Council. It was [America's] idea that "constructive ambiguity," a phrase coined by Mr. Eban and borrowed by Mr. John Scali [U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.], was a good thing. [The U.S. cast a veto against the Arabs at that session.] Our intentions are not to occupy Israeli territory or to drive Israel into the sea. We say this not out of any tender love for Israel but because we understand the political reality...
...Eban: I imagine that the Israeli forces will stop at the point that we think is safe against further attack. In this war we'll do what is necessary to repel the attack and ensure our security...
...Eban: If you're talking about guarantees in a peace settlement, let's eliminate some illusions. The major powers [including the U.S.] apparently don't intend to commit their forces to the Middle East. The U.N. is an arena for waging conflicts, not an instrument for solving them. It cannot "guarantee" anybody's security or take a single step without Arab consent. Israel's guarantee must be its own strength as well as secure boundaries that permit her to absorb an attack without being destroyed...
...Eban: This was a responsible decision by our Cabinet. History will decide. In the short term, the decision not to launch a pre-emptive strike was very costly in human life and in acute tactical disadvantages. In the longer view, we have left no doubt about Egyptian and Syrian responsibility for shattering the ceasefire. This may be important for Israel's position in the international community...