Habib Calls Negotiations for Syrian Withdrawal at ‘impasse’; but He Remains Optimistic

Special U.S. envoy Philip Habib indicated here last night that the simultaneous withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon has reached what he hoped was “momentarily an impasse” on the part of Syrians, who have refused to accept the Israel-Lebanon agreement.

Addressing the opening session of the three day annual national governing council of the American Jewish Congress, Habib said, “What it means is that it is going to take a little more talking, a little more negotiating, a little use of the influence of others.”

Habib, who returned from the Mideast last Thursday, said he will not continue to participate personally in this stage of the negotiating process to get the Syrians to withdraw from Lebanon simultaneously with Israeli troops, because the Syrians have made it clear that he was notwelcome in Damascus, where he has been declared persona non grata for alleged pro-Israel bias. (See story on Page 3.)

Habib, however, remained optimistic that there is the possibility for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon within a foreseeable timetable. “In this business, you learn that many things are a question of timing, and it looks as if the precise moment has not yet arrived at which you can say you’ve got it wrapped up, ” he said.

SEES INCENTIVES ON SYRIANS

The U.S. envoy said Syria, despite its current objection to the Israel-Lebanon accord, has its own incentives for cooperating with the Lebanon government, which include that the vast majority of the other Arab nations support Lebanon’s right to conclude its agreement with Israel, that Israel will not withdraw its forces from Lebanon unless Syrian and Palestinian Liberation Organization troops leave as well, and that Syria does not wish to be responsible for a continued Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon.

In response to a question, Habib said the current internal struggle between PLO chief Yasir Arafat’s “more moderate” followers and the more radical factions of the PLO is going to have a profound influence in the future of peace and stability in the Middle East.

A “total radicalization” and a return to militancy and terrorism by the PLO, which might be expected to occur if the more radical wing takes over, will hurt the peace process, according to Habib. He added that the PLO leadership is not going to be the same as it used to be, thus introducing a degree of uncertainty, “It isn’t going to simplify the task, it is going to complicate it,” Habib said.

According to reports from Beirut today, heavy fighting broke out this weekend between rival factions within Arafat’s mainline Al Fatah group of the PLO. The fighting among the PLO is part of a continuing battle between units in Lebanon’s Bekaa valley situated behind Syrian lines who are opposed to Arafat’s leadership. Reports said as many as 7 people were killed and 18 wounded in an exchange which included artillery, rockets and heavy machinegun fire.

SYRIANS VIOLATING AGREEMENT

Habib also noted in his address that the Syrians are bringing PLO troops into Lebanon in a “deliberate infiltration” contrary to the previous agreement arranged last summer for the evacuation of PLO forces from Beirut which said they would not return.

Should the Syrians change their current position against the withdrawal agreement, Habib said, then the PLO forces would also leave. He said in his opening remarks that attempts have been made to involve the Soviet Union in the troop withdrawal negotiations, but that their interest is for a continued Syrian presence in Lebanon and that the Israel-Lebanon agreement is not implemented.

“The Soviet Union is playing its usual negative role,” Habib said. He added that the United States’ immediate aim is to convince Syria that coming to the negotiating table is in its own interests. “We believe that Syria will make its own decisions.”

“I do not think in the case of the Lebanese situation, the Soviet Union is calling the shots, ” he added. However, the Soviets are agreeing with the Syrian position for its own objectives, he noted.

In response to another question, Habib said that Saudi Arabia has been very helpful in the efforts to persuade Syria to accept the withdrawal agreement. “It is no secret they are an actor in the drama of what is going on. ” he said. He explained thai the Saudis, although they will not admit it publicly, have the same policy as the Israelis and Americans — they favor a sovereign and independent Lebanon in which there are no external forces, Habib said.