Arens Says Recent Policy of IDF North of Awali River is to Prevent Terrorist Re-infiltration

Defense Minister Moshe Arens sharply criticized the performance of the Lebanese army in its recent battles with Druze and Shiite Moslem militias. In most cases, the army did not put up a fight. Unlike the Druze and Shiites, the soldiers had no motivation, he told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee today.

Arens defended the recent policy of the Israel Defense Force to send armored patrols north of the Awali River line. He said the purpose was to prevent the return of Palestinian terrorists to territory evacuated by the IDF and the fact that there are no terrorists facing Israeli soldiers is proof of its success.

At a press conference yesterday, Arens insisted that Israeli military action north of the Awali and air raids on terrorist targets were not intended to bolster the regime of President Amin Gemayel in Beirut. “We are not his ally. We do not even have diplomatic relations,” Arens said.

Observers interpreted his remarks as a reiteration of the government’s claim that its policies and actions in Lebanon are intended solely to ensure the security of Israel’s northern borders and have nothing to do with internal Lebanese politics and internecine strife.

POSSIBLE REDEPLOYMENT SOUTH OF AWALI RIVER

Arens said an IDF redeployment south of the Awali River was not contemplated “at this stage” but he did not rule out the prospect. “The situation requires that we consider (our position) each month,” he said. He rejected the idea that Israel would remain in south Lebanon permanently or even indefinitely.

But for the present, the IDF must be there because there is no prospect of a Lebanese government which could honor commitments to maintain security in the south, Arens said.

In his appearance before the Knesset panel today, Arens said that in a few instances, such as the battle for the Lebanese Christian stronghold of Souk Al-Gharo, terrorists fought alongside the Druze. But the Druze did not allow them to remain in the territory they took from the Lebanese army. He noted that the Druze and Shiites enjoy the support of the local population.

Arens said the government did not oppose the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as an element in the security of south Lebanon. But he pointed out that UNIFIL could operate only with the consent of all parties concerned.

Labor MK Mordecai Gur supported military operations against terrorists in Lebanon but maintained that military measures alone were insufficient and should be complemented by political moves. He suggested that Israel reach an understanding with the Syrians, even if Syrian forces stay in Lebanon.

Haim Druckman, a hardliner of the one-man Matzad faction in the Knesset, also supported talks with the Syrians. He proposed that Lebanon be divided into spheres of influence between Syria and Israel.