The State Department indicated today that it judged last night’s terrorist grenade throwing in a Tel Aviv movie house to be part of the same pattern as Israeli retaliatory raids on terrorist bases. Asked if he equated the grenade incident with attacks such as was carried out by the Israel Air Force today against El Fatah and PLO bases in southern Lebanon, Department spokesman Paul Hare replied, “I’m talking of the cycle of violence. Obviously, the tragedy at the Tel Aviv theater includes the pattern of raids against refugee camps.”
He said he was not aware of any contact by the U.S. government with the Lebanese government regarding today’s Israeli air raid. But, he added, “All parties in the area are aware of our feeling in this matter.”
Pressed for a State Department reaction to the grenade throwing in Tel Aviv for which the PLO has claimed responsibility. Hare said, “Let me frame my response as to whether the Department has a reaction to a series of incidents which have been occurring in the area and not speak to just one particular incident.” He added, “As you know, the U.S. now is engaged in quiet diplomacy looking toward the next stage in the negotiating process for a peace settlement in the Middle East. We have repeatedly said we deplore the action-reaction cycle of violence in that part of the world. It not only affects innocent persons but tends to undermine the climate conducive to efforts to bring peace to the region.”
Meanwhile, the National Association of Arab Americans with offices in Washington, circulated a letter today to Senators and Representatives saying “Today’s bombing of Beirut, Lebanon by Israel is a violation of Section Four of the Foreign Military Sales Act.” It also said “The Congress has acted against Turkey for violation of this law and we demand the Congress act against Israel for the violation of the Foreign Military Sales Act.” The letter was signed by Richard C. Shadyac, president of the Association.
The House voted yesterday that military aid to Turkey be cut off until President Ford certifies that “substantial progress” is being made in a peace settlement with Cyprus.
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