President Reagan has been “very carefully” monitoring the violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Tuesday.
Both the White House and State Department called Tuesday for Israel and Palestinians in the occupied territories to end the violence.
“It is time for both sides to step back from confrontation, before there are more tragic casualties,” Fitzwater said.
State Department spokeswoman Phyllis Oakley called for “restraint by all parties and a common commitment to deal with the underlying problems and frustrations, which, in our view, need to be addressed.”
Oakley declined to say whether the State Department is satisfied with Israel’s handling of the crisis, except to reiterate past statements that the United States has raised concerns at the “highest levels” of the Israeli government and “remains in constant normal contact” with Jerusalem.
MEETING WITH SHAMIR
A State Department official said Tuesday that U.S. ambassador to Israel Thomas Pickering met Monday morning with Israeli Premier Yitzhak Shamir to express concern about Israel’s “excessive use of force” in quelling the violence.
Fitzwater said that Reagan has discussed the situation with his national security adviser, Lt. Gen. Colin Powell, and “he has been involved in the communications that have been made with Israel and with some of the Arab nations.”
He emphasized that despite Reagan’s personal involvement, “we think the appropriate channel has been primarily through our various diplomatic means.”
The United States criticized Israeli policy in the territories in two respects during meetings last week with Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
Fitzwater emphasized one of the points Tuesday — Israel’s use of “live ammunition” when shooting at rioters. He said that the United States has asked Israel to consider using “rubber bullets.”
The other concern raised by the United States was for Israel to consider creating a special police force to handle rioting in the territories, rather than relying on soldiers, who are more apt to shoot, an administration official said Monday.
A State Department official drew the conclusion Tuesday that Israel has apparently not “taken to heart” the U.S. concerns raised with Rabin, since Palestinians were killed again on Monday in the territories.
‘HARSH’ MEASURES DEPLORED
Fitzwater used the phrase “harsh security measures” in describing Israeli actions in the territories, but also criticized the Palestinians for engaging in demonstrations and riots.
The White House spokesman said that “the continuing occupation is exacting a toll on the 1.5 million Palestinians in the territories and on Israel as well.” He said the violence “undermines” the peace process and “damages the self-respect and world opinion of Israel.”
In her briefing at the State Department, Oakley said, “We have repeatedly urged restraint; now more than ever we believe that neither further disorder nor harsh security measures can contribute to reconciliation, negotiation and peace.”
“It is time for all sides to look beyond their own definitions of the causes of this violence and to commit themselves squarely through the process of negotiations,” she said, adding that the United States “stands ready to assist” in that process.
Both Fitzwater and Oakley said the United States has been in contact with other Arab governments and Palestinians. Fitzwater told reporters that the United States has been in contact with Palestinian leaders in the territories, but still refuses to talk with members of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The State Department on Monday reiterated the travel advisory in effect since March 1982 warning U.S. citizens about traveling to the administered territories. Oakley said there are “no thoughts” about upgrading the warning. She also said there were no plans for U.S. officials to visit the region.
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