Administration Plans to Keep Marines in Lebanon for the Forseeable Future, Jewish Leaders Are Told

The Reagan Administration made it clear to a group of II American Jewish leaders yesterday that it plans to keep the marines in Lebanon for the foreseeable future in the hope that the government of President Amin Gemayel will be able to survive the current crisis.

That position was emphasized after the Jewish group, representing the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the National Republican Jewish Coalition, met with National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane for 75 minutes at the White House. Julius Berman, chairman of the Presidents Conference, said the entire Middle East situation was discussed, with particular emphasis on Lebanon and terrorism. (Related story, page 3.)

Berman stressed that the organized American Jewish community has not reached a consensus as to whether the marines should be kept in Lebanon. He said that American Jews, like most Americans, are unclear about the mission of the marines and that the meeting with McFarlane was for the purpose of “fact finding” and to get a better understanding.

FEAR OF UNDERMINING GEMAYEL’S CHANCES

The Administration clearly believes that any withdrawal of the marines at this time “would reflect to both the terrorist forces and to allies throughout the world that terrorism can succeed,” Berman said. He added that the Administration also feels that a “precipitous withdrawal” of the marines would undermine President Amin Gemayel’s faith in the support of the West and could destroy his chances to achieve the reconciliation of the various factions in Lebanon.

At the same time, Berman noted “the Administration feels very strongly that Gemayel sees what is happening and if he does reach out to the various constituent elements in Lebanon, there is a very solid chance” that he will be able to form a new government and bring about national reconciliation in Lebanon.

The Administration believes there is presently a “tug-of-war” between Syria and the Gemayel government for the support of the various factions in Lebanon all of whom do want a reconstructed Lebanon, Berman said.

In other matters, Berman said the Jewish leaders made known their opposition to the proposed U.S. arms sales to Jordan on grounds that Jordan is still in a state of war with Israel. He noted that the Administration is now arguing that Jordan needs the arms to protect itself from Syria.

REAGAN TO MEET HUSSEIN, MUBARAK NEXT WEEK

Berman said that King Hussein of Jordan, who left the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Hospital yesterday following a two-day examination, is expected to visit Washington, before returning to Jordan. Hussein checked into the hospital last Friday for a general physical examination and was pronounced in good general health. President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt is expected to meet with President Reagan in Washington next week.

The White House confirmed that Reagan will meet with Hussein next Monday and with Mubarak on Tuesday. The crisis in Lebanon and the overall search for peace in the Middle East will be on the agenda of both meetings.