State Department Says Most of the Outstanding Issues on PLO Departure Have Been Resolved

The State Department said today that it appeared that “most of the outstanding issues” in the negotiations for the evacuation of the besieged PLO terrorists in west Beirut have been resolved.

Alan Romberg, the Department deputy spokesman, gave that summary at the Department’s regular press briefing, basing it on the meetings of special Presidential envoy Philip Habib with officials of Israel, Lebanon and the Palestine Liberation Organization this weekend and last week.

Reiterating that the United States wanted all foreign forces to withdraw from Lebanon, Romberg said that, “following the resolution of the Beirut situation, we will be looking to the overall Lebanon situation with the objective of helping to establish a Lebanese central governmental authority throughout the territory of Lebanon,” a goal he indicated required “withdrawal of all foreign forces.”

He said “our view is clear that we would want all foreign forces, including the Israelis, to leave Lebanon.” He added that he could not comment on the question of the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from west Beirut, on which Israel has insisted.

MEETINGS ON BROADER MIDEAST QUESTION

Romberg was asked why Secretary of State George Shultz met today on Capital Hill with Senate Majority leader Howard Baker (R. Tenn.) He replied that President Reagan and Shultz “have discussed on several occasions and at length on what might be done,” in the context of “the broader Middle East question,” to address “not only the entire Lebanese question but also the Middle East peace process.”

Romberg said that in those discussions, Reagan asked Shultz to “seek the views of members of Congress. He is now actively engaged in doing that.” Shultz attended a Senate Republican leadership luncheon today to seek the views of the Republican Senators “on the Middle East situation, particularly the Palestinian question.”

Asked about restoration of basic services to west Beirut, Romberg said that “water has been flowing to the city for the last several days and we understand that the Israel Defense Force has permitted international Red Cross medical convoys to enter the city.” He said the United States “continues to notice there are problems in assuring regular deliveries” to west Beirut “of fuel supplies.” He added “we are working on this problem, particularly with respect to assuring delivery of fuel to hospitals.”

DENIES SHARON GOT THE COLD SHOULDER

Romberg was asked about a report that Israel’s Defense Minister, Ariel Sharon had indicated he wanted to visit Washington, presumably to confer with U.S. officials about the situation in Lebanon, but had been refused an invitation. Romberg said that the question of such a visit by Sharon had been raised.

He said that while the Reagan Administration felt that “Minister Sharon is welcome at any time,” the point “was made clear, however, that Ambassador Habib is our negotiator and has the confidence of both the President and Secretary (of State) and communication with Washington.” Romberg said “that is where the focus on that particular discussion rests.”

Romberg said he had no details on why Sharon wanted to come but that reports about a “frosty” reaction to the possibility of a Sharon visit here were “not accurate.”