The European Economic Community (EEC) is seriously considering imposing economic sanctions on Israel if the political situation in Lebanon does not show signs of returning to normal by next week when the Foreign Ministers of the 10 member states are due to meet, again.
European sources in Luxemburg, where the 10 concluded a three-day session last night, said that several member states have “energetically pressed” for sanctions but that the majority decided to postpone a decision until the Ministers’ next meeting in Brussels June 28.
Among the countries reportedly in favor of sanctions are France, Britain. Italy, and Spain. Only West Germany and Holland have energetically opposed immediate sanctions and suggested that the issue be reexamined at a later session.
French Foreign Minister Claude Cheysson declared after the Luxemburg meeting “This possibility (sanctions) is being seriously considered by the 10. We already imposed a first sanction (on Israel) by refusing to sign a financial protocol.” The EEC and Israel were scheduled to sign an agreement providing for $40 million of European aid last Monday. It has been indefinitely postponed.
French official sources deny however that there are any plans for a possible visit to Paris by Palestine Liberation Organization chief Yasir Arafat. Several French newspapers, presumably on the basis of PLO reports, claimed today that such a visit is in the offing. Most of the reports are based on Saturday’s visit to France by the head of the PLO political department, Farouk Kaddoumi, who conferred with Premier Pierre Mauroy and Foreign Minister Cheysson.
The Israeli Ambassador, Meir Rosenne protested yesterday against these meetings and warned France not to invite Arafat.
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