European Leaders Urge Eec Not to Impose Anti-israel Sanctions

The European Economic Community has drawn the line against imposing sanctions on Israel, despite its unanimous condemnation of Israel’s deportation of Palestinian activists and the use of lethal force against demonstrators in the occupied territories. French officials said Thursday they would not support EEC sanctions against Israel. Chancellor Helmut Kohl of West Germany rejected the idea out of hand.

Kohl, who spoke with foreign correspondents Thursday at a luncheon in Bonn, made light of suggestions by Socialist factions in the Strasbourg-based Parliament of Europe that the EEC freeze its economic agreements with Israel. He said he has consistently opposed economic sanctions as a means of dealing with political problems.

West Germany assumed the rotating chairmanship of EEC institutions on Jan. I. Kohl will preside next month at a summit meeting of the heads of state and heads of government of the 12 European Community member states.

The chancellor disappointed Arab journalists at the luncheon, who pressed him to issue a separate condemnation of Israel’s handling of unrest in the administered territories. Instead, he read parts of a prepared text, released by the EEC two days ago, that expressed concern over Israeli actions.

Kohl stressed repeatedly that the EEC was doing what it could with respect to the Middle East and warned against unrealistic expectations.

When an Arab journalist asked for his view on the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, Kohl, apparently annoyed, replied, “I talked about it so many times. Do you want me to repeat it again?”

‘VERY GOOD’ RELATIONS

Answering other questions, Kohl said Bonn’s relations with Israel are “very good.” He said they were an example of West Germany’s success in learning from the past and winning friends among those persecuted by the Nazis.

The chancellor’s remarks and responses were a clear signal that Bonn does not favor putting excessive European pressure on Israel at this time.

In Paris, meanwhile, diplomatic circles expressed concern that the EEC’s determination to avoid economic sanctions against Israel could be undermined by the European Parliament, its legislative institution.

The parliament may fail to ratify Israel’s latest economic agreements with the European Community, signed in Brussels last month. Ratification normally would be routine. But the continuing violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Israel’s tough response, make it “highly problematic,” sources in Paris said.

The agreements themselves are of minor economic importance. But the European Parliament’s refusal to ratify them would be a serious blow to Israel’s prestige. Ratification must be voted by a majority of members. Abstentions or the absence of a sizeable number of parliamentarians would be sufficient to kill ratification.