Sharp differences of opinion over Israel’s position in the negotiations with Lebanon surfaced at today’s Cabinet meeting. One minister challenged the wisdom of Israel’s demand that its ally,Maj. Saad Haddad, be made supreme commander of security forces in south Lebanon after the Israeli army pulls out.
The Cabinet session, deferred from Sunday because of Memorial Day and Independence Day, also discussed the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut yesterday which took at least 60 lives, including up to 15 Americans. Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir claimed that the bombing reinforced Israel’s demands for satisfactory security arrangements because it proved more than ever the need for Israeli, Lebanese and U.S. cooperation against terrorism.
Unofficial Cabinet sources suggested that the U.S. had learned “the hard way” that Lebanon is still a country ruled by terror, a point the Israelis have been pushing in support of their security demands.
Energy Minister Yitzhak Modal complained that the proposed security arrangements would not allow Israel to engage in “hot pursuit” of terrorists into Lebanon. Defense Minister Moshe Arens noted that Israel had no such arrangements to pursue terrorists who might penetrate from Jordan or Egypt.
Premier Menachem Begin observed that Lebanon cannot be compared to Egypt or Jordan because it does not have a strong central administration or an army capable of preventing terrorist penetration.
Former Defense Minister Ariel Sharon wanted to know why Israel was not negotiating for the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanese territory. He contended that Syria intends to retain control of several regions in Lebanon.
Shamir reviewed the latest tripartite negotiations between Israel, Lebanon and the U.S. in which U.S. special Ambassador Philip Habib participated. He seemed to back away from Israel’s claim a few days ago that an agreement with Lebanon could be reached within two weeks.
According to Shamir, even on those issues where agreements have been reached in principle, there was still room for much “phrasing work.” He said the three main obstacles were the role of Haddad, the continued presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the powers and authority of Israeli liaison officers to the Lebanese army.
TALKS RESUME IN NETANYA
The tripartite negotiations resumed today at Netanya. According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Avi Pazner, further progress was made. The military subcommittee discussed the exact line of the proposed security border in south Lebanon and the integration of Haddad’s militia into the Lebanese army. The political committee discussed the establishment of liaison offices in Israel and in Lebanon.
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