U.S. Looks to a Political Accommodation in Lebanon

The United States looks to “a political accommodation” in Lebanon which will “preserve the security of all the Lebanese communities,” the State Department said today.

Under questioning, Department spokesman John Trattner said, in reference to the Syrian government’s mediation with the warring parties that “we would, of course, be encouraged by a successful outcome of what appears to be a serious effort to achieve a cease-fire that sticks and a political accommodation in Lebanon which would be acceptable to and preserve the security of all Lebanese communities.”

Trattner later stressed that “we are assuming that any arrangement reached has to be acceptable to the Lebanese government and leadership and has to preserve the security of all the Lebanese communities.”

Questioned about the comment by Undersecretary of State Joseph J. Sicso that an international settlement is needed in Lebanon. Trattner said that “while efforts are underway to resolve the crisis we have to wait and see the results of the discussions between the Syrians, the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Lebanese Christians and Moslem groups.

NOT IN TOUCH WITH PLO

While the impression has been that the U.S. has been in contact with the PLO on the Lebanese civil strife, Trattner indicated that Washington has not been in communication with the organization.

Asked by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency whether the PLO was among the “parties” to which the U.S. had addressed itself on the preservation of Lebanon’s integrity. Trattner said the U.S. had been in touch with the “governments” concerned, the Arabs, Israel and European countries. He said he did not have “specifics” on what had been agreed upon in Lebanon so far nor what Lebanese leaders have consented to the Syrian proposals.