The State Department indicated a balanced approach to the fighting in Lebanon today. “Israel will have to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and the Palestinians will have to stop using Lebanon as a launching pad for attacks on Israel,” the Department’s deputy spokesman Alan Romberg told reporters.
He added, “A divided Lebanon must not be the outcome of this present violence.” Romberg stressed that “The United States has been doing its very best — not only in recent days but also as for back as last year — to forestall the terrible tragedy now unfolding.” He noted that the U.S. joined in the United Nations. Security Council’s call for a cease-fire in Lebanon two days ago “which, if observed by all sides, might have prevented the present developments.”
He noted that President Reagan’s special envoy for the Lebanese crisis, Philip Habib, has been sent to the region “with some new ideas.”
Asked whether U.S. arms shipments to Israel have been delayed, the State Department official said they have not been interrupted, but added, “We will be looking into the question of possible use of American equipment” by Israel. “The United States has been in touch with the Israeli government and quarters which have influence on the situation,” he said. “Our counsels of restraint and caution have been intense and constant.”
Romberg refused to reply when asked if the U.S. has discussed the situation with the Soviet Union. He observed, however that “There have been a number of statements coming out of the Soviet Union which I think have not been terribly useful.” With respect to possible Syrian involvement in the Lebanese fighting, he said “We have expressed our concern that there be no widening of this conflict.”
Romberg said that some U.S. Navy ships have been ordered to Port Rhoda in Spain where they will be in a position, if required, to help in the humanitarian evacuation of civilians from Beirut. He declined to say how many Americans there are at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut or how many might be evacuated if necessary.
“The United States strongly supports the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders,” Romberg said.
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