French Political Spokesmen, Right and Left, Assail Libya Arms Deal

French political figures of all complexions, including Gaullists and even sympathizers with the Arab cause, continued today to denounce the Government’s arms deal with Libya. The main points of their criticism was that the sale of Mirage jets and other modern military equipment to the militant leftist regime in Tripoli endangered peace and jeopardized the integrity and honor of France.

Former Foreign Minister Georges Bidault declared today that “from the beginning to the end of this affair there has been deceit, double dealing and lies.” The Federal Committee, a body presided over by the pro-Arab, Robert Buron, said in a published statement that French policies “can have serious consequences for world peace.” The right-wing leader, Tixier Vignancourt, called France’s Mideast policy “ridiculous” and Jean Lacanuet, the re-elected president of the French Centrist faction criticized it in even harsher terms. A Gaullist Deputy, Jacques Mercier, said in a speech yesterday that “the French Government’s decision to sell Mirage planes to Libya and the manner in which it was reached may have serious consequences for French public opinion.”

Government circles have adopted the attitude that verbal assaults cannot force a change of policy. But the weekly Nouvelle Observateur warned today that if Americans were unkind to President Georges Pompidou on his forthcoming visit to the United States, French national feelings would be hurt and would be transformed into anti-Semitism. The paper said it would be advisable if “people of good will advised both Israel and the American Jews to behave well.” It added, however, that “no matter what one’s position is on the Palestine affair, this latest maneuver (the Libyan arms deal) makes one sick.”