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A. Between two states. Israel has to ask this from the Palestinian state. It is not right to ask it from the P.L.O. I am telling the Israelis that I am searching for their De Gaulle, who will make peace with me and my people as DeGaulle did with the Algerians. But it seems there are no De Gaulles in Israel. In any case, we have to wait and see after their election. No De Gaulles. I know the Israelis. I know my enemy very well.
Q. Which Israelis would you talk with after the Israeli election?
A. Those who accept an international conference for Palestinian rights according to international law and are ready to fight together with us to implement peace in this area. Forty years is enough!
Q. Of course in the first instance you have to find a way to live with them.
A. I have declared it, but they refuse to listen to what we are offering.
& Q. Israelis say that all you want is to throw them into the sea.
A. This is a big lie. A big lie. A very big lie! We are ready to live with them. They don't want to live with us.
Q. If the P.N.C. declares the existence of a Palestinian state, how does that affect the P.L.O. Charter, parts of which concern the elimination of Israel?
A. Nowhere is there mention of the elimination of Israel. We are opposed to a Zionist state; Zionism is a racist movement, according to a U.N. resolution.
Q. Reading from the charter, Article 15: "The liberation of Palestine, from an Arab viewpoint, is a national duty and it attempts to repel the Zionist and imperialist . . ."
A. Zionist. Zionist.
Q. ". . . aggression against the Arab homeland." It is your responsibility, then, to throw Zionism out?
A. We don't want a racist state in this area.
Q. If the Israelis could show you that they are no longer Zionist, then the state would be welcome?
A. They would be welcome. They are our cousins. But if Zionism means having an empire between the Euphrates and the Nile, who can accept that in this area?
Q. And the next Israeli government?
A. I am sure there will be another coalition. They can't rule in this atmosphere without it. It is war. Twelve months of war. The intifadeh. More than 50% of the Israeli army is in the streets -- in the villages, in the towns, in the camps. Definitely, no single party can carry this responsibility.
Q. It's hard to imagine today, but let's say the international conference you want is convened, and it comes down to the Palestinians face to face with the Israelis. Can you make a deal?
A. I am ready to sit in an international conference with the Israelis, no matter whom they send. Anyone they choose. I am not like the Israelis, like an ostrich. I have to deal with my enemies. The enemy will say, our representative is Sharon, our representative is Peres, our representative is Rabin. I can't say no.
Q. You are willing at such a conference to negotiate on the basis of the two Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. Am I correct?
A. And self-determination and political rights for the Palestinian people. I am saying political rights, as Shultz has. The Palestinians have political rights, including our self-determination.