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Home , Ezer Weizman, President of Israel

Points for meeting Vith Mr. President of

Congratulate the Hebron protocol and the resumption of the peace process. Enquire about the resumption of the direct negotiations with . Underline that Mr. Gharekhan will continue to focus his efforts on economic and social development in the West Bank and Gaza.

Express concern about the plans to build or expand settlements in east and the West Bank.

Express appreciation for Israel's readiness to participate in a full range of UN activities.

\\ews OB. \StaeV S attempt Xo seek membership m \Yie Group. Reassure your personal attention to seek information on the four missing Israeli soldiers, in particular, Captain Ron Arad, BRIEFING NOTE FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MEETING WITH EZER WE1ZMAN.

The peace process appears to be back on track. Israel released thirty-one female Arab prisoners as a confidence-building measure. Talks have been held on the release of other Palestinian political prisoners, the establishment of a safe passage route between Gaza and the West Bank and the opening of an airport in Gaza. The permanent status of negotiations (on refugees, settlements, Jerusalem, etc.) are expected to start two months after the implementation of the Hebron protocol.

Although both Governments have expressed their desire for the resumption of talks, it seems unlikely that they will go back to the negotiating table hi the near future. The main obstacle appeared to be Israel's reluctance to accept former understandings negotiated by the previous Government. The Labour Government had made a tacit commitment to return the to Syria. Damascus would like to restart the talks at the point where they were suspended in February of 1996. The Israeli Government is currently believed to have a new formula to persuade Syria to return to the talks: that both parties be aware of previous negotiations and agreements reached in prior negotiating sessions.

Recent Government and MPs' plans to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza and to build a new settlement in east Jerusalem will be a serious obstruction to the peace process.

The Government is interested in participating in the full range of UN activities and in particular, in the technical and logistical aspects of peace-keeping. Last year, Dr. Ya'akov Adler was appointed as Head of the Medical Support Unit of DPKO.

Israel remains the only country at the UN which is not part of a regional group. It continues to seek membership in the Asia Group by virtue of its geographic position. Meanwhile, it has been unsuccessful in obtaining temporary participation in the Western European and Other States Group (WEOG). This issue is of particular importance since it deprives Israel from gaining membership in a number of UN bodies and organs.

Three Israeli soldiers, captured in in 1982, are still missing and believed dead. In addition, Capt. Ron Arad, whose plane was shot down over Lebanon in 1986, is believed to be alive. It has been reported that the pilot, who fell into the hands of the Lebanese Shiite militia, Amal, has been moved into Iran and that Tehran has information of his whereabouts.

-r- A _--^__. Telma Abascal ' " '^ ' *Lr\ Raymond Sommereyns Senior Political Affairs Officer Director,West Asia Div./DPA 21 February 1997 PROFILE OF MR. EZER WEIZMAN PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL

Born in 1924 in , General Ezer Weizman is the nephew of the first President of Israel, Haim Weizman.

Ezer Weizman served in the during World War II. During the British Mandate, he joined the Zva'i Le'umi (IZL), a right-wing underground armed group and served as a pilot in the Jewish Air Service. He is considered to have been instrumental in the establishment of the Israel Air Force (IAF) in which he served until 1966, the last eight years as its Commander.

From 1966 to 1969, he was Head of the IDF Operations Branch and Deputy Chief of Staff. In 1969, he was appointed Minister of Transport for , the -Liberal Party right-wing coalition under EshkoPs second National Unity Government. Chairman of the Herut Executive Committee from 1971 to 1972, Mr. Weizman remained in this party until 1980. He was in charge of the Likud's election campaign which brought the right-wing coalition to power in 1977.

Minister of Defense from 1977 to 1980 under the Likud Government, Mr. Weizman played a major role in the peace process with , launched the Litani Operation in March 1978 and proposed the establishment of a "National Peace Government" to further the peace process. During this period, his political views underwent a drastic change and in May 1980 he resigned from the Cabinet.

Following four years in the private sector, Mr. Weizman returned to political life in 1984. He formed a new party which promptly joined the left-wing coalition and was appointed Minister without Portfolio and member of the inner cabinet in the National Unity Government. In 1985, he was appointed Coordinator of Arab Affairs, in which capacity he helped to improve the conditions of the Arab citizens of Israel. In 1986, he joined the Labour Party.

In 1989, while holding the position of Minister of Science and Technology in the National Unity Government, Mr. Weizman's contacts with the PLO provoked a Government crisis which was followed by the breaking up of the governing coalition the following year.

Mr. Weizman was elected by the in 1993 for a five-year term as President of Israel. In this capacity, he has distinguished himself for being controversial and outspoken in a country where this position is merely honorific. Media presents him as the -2- voice of the public opinion. He strongly condemned Prime Minister Peres for his peace policy during the 1996 bombings, and more recently attacked Prime Minister Netanyahu for the slowing down of the peace process.

He is the author of two books: "On Eagle's Wings" (1974) and " The Battle for Peace" (1981).