The State Department asserted today that the withdrawal of Syrian and Israeli forces from Lebanon is not a condition that must be met before U.S. marines will leave Lebanon.
The Department’s deputy spokesman, Alan Romberg, explained that “during the limited period of time” the multinational force will be in Lebanon, “the U.S. expects that the Israelis and Syrians would follow through on their announced intentions and withdraw from Lebanon. The very presence of the multinational force will encourage early agreement on these withdrawals.”
Romberg said that President Reagan, in his press conference last night, did not make the withdrawal a condition when he said he expected Syria and Israel to leave Lebanon during the period the multinational force was helping the Lebanese government regain its ability to preserve its own security.
The President said the marines would leave once the Lebanese government feels it is “in charge.” However, Romberg left open the possibility that the Lebanese might not feel in charge until foreign forces have left their territory.
He added that the President’s urging of a withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon “as quickly as possible” included the “withdrawal of the PLO forces.” The PLO was not mentioned in the questioning last night or in the President’s response, Romberg conceded. But he noted that its withdrawal from Lebanon has been part of the U.S. position since the beginning of the present situation last June.
ARENS’ CHARGE CONFIRMED
Romberg also confirmed today a charge made by Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Moshe Arens yesterday that some PLO forces have returned to Lebanon through the “back door.” He said the U.S. has not been able to “verify” the exact number but “we are convinced that some PLO fighters and leaders evacuated from Beirut have re-infiltrated into Lebanon.” Romberg said none of them were in Beirut.
Arens claimed that thousands of PLO fighters are still in northern Lebanon and in the Bekao valley.
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