Escalating warfare in Lebanon and what the Administration can or should do about it, considering the precarious position of U.S. marines in the multinational force, promises to set off a prolonged debate in Congress which returned from its summer recess today.
A lack of consensus among the lawmakers was indicated by the remarks of four prominent Senators — three Republicans and a Democrat — in appearances on various television panel discussions yesterday. Robert Byrd (D. W. Va.), the Minority Leader, thought it was “obvious the situation requires the application of the War Powers Act” because “there is no question that there are hostilities.”
But Richard Lugar (R. Ind.) disagreed on grounds that the American position in Lebanon is “clearly defensive.” The War Powers Act requires that troops sent overseas where a war situation exists must be withdrawn between 60-90 days unless otherwise authorized by majorities of both houses of Congress.
Howard Baker (R. Tenn.), the Majority Leader, observed that “What we need to do is to decide what is our policy going to be in the Middle East and what role if any the American military will have to play.” His colleague, Robert Dole (R. Kan.) declared flatly that “The last thing America wants is to get embroiled in their (the Lebanese) civil war.” President Reagan acknowledged over the weekend — for the first time — that a civil war exists in Lebanon and admitted that this had not been anticipated when he ordered the marines to Beirut a year ago.
THE WARRING FACTIONS IN LEBANON
The Lebanese civil war is pitting the forces of the Beirut government — the Lebanese army and the Christian Phalangist militia — against Druze and Moslem leftist militia entrenched in the Shouf mountains of central Lebanon, an area vacated by the Israel Defense Force barely a week ago. According to the Israelis and some Western sources, the Druze are supported by Syria and backed in the field by various anti-Western forces, including elements of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Iranians.
In recent days, the Druze have scored significant military victories locally amid charges by both sides that civilians were being massacred. Marine positions at the Beirut airport have come under shell and mortar fire from either the Druze or Moslem leftists, sustaining casualties. Casualties have also been suffered by the French and Italian contingents of the 5,400-man multinational force.
LEBANESE ENVOY URGES WESTERN SUPPORT
In an appearance on the ABC-TV “This Week” program yesterday, Lebanon’s Ambassador to the U.S. Abdallah Bouhabib said his country required stronger support from the Western nations. He would not say what the nature of that support should be but said “There is no need for the marines or the multinational force to be increased. That is not the only option.”
Just last week, Lebanese President Amin Gemayel was urging the U.S. and its allies to strengthen their forces in Lebanon and enter the Shouf area. The Administration rejected his appeal, Bouhabib contended that the U.S. and the West “can do more than they are now doing to help us.” He acknowledged that the recently formed Lebanese army is no match for the forces arrayed against it.
JUMBLATT DENIES ROLE OF PLO
Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Lebanese Druze who was interviewed on the some program, strongly denied Israeli and Western claims that 1,000 Palestine Liberation Organization men were fighting alongside the Druze. “There are no Palestinians helping me. I don’t need their help. It’s a purely Lebanese internal problem,” he said.
Jumblatt accused the U.S. of pro-Christian bias and aiding the Lebanese army against the Druze. “If I am to defend myself, I will fire” on the multinational force, he said. He would not say if Druze artillery fire was aimed at the marines, claiming that the Americans were dug in side-by-side with the Lebanese army around Beirut airport, “How can I know who is firing on me, marines or the Lebanese army?” he asked.
Jumblatt defended the presence of Syrian forces in Lebanon on grounds that they had been invited by the Beirut government in 1976 to try to restore peace between warring Christian and Moslem factions. He contended that if the Syrians were to leave, there would be more rather than less violence.
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