The State Department continued to say today that it was “profoundly concerned” by the violence on the West Bank and Gaza Strip which, it said, “horesulted in needless and tragic deaths and injury to Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
The statement, which like all others in the past several days issued by the State Department avoided placing blame for the situation, also said: “It is a serious source of regret to us that appeals for restraint to calm the situation have as yet had no effect.”
Department spokesman Dean Fischer also expressed today the Administration’s “regret” over the removals of the mayors of Nablus and Ramallah by the Israeli authorities. “We always regarded the Israeli decision to permit municipal elections as a progressive and helpful policy. Consistent with this position we regret — as we have made clear previously — the removal of elected municipal officials on the West Bank,” he said.
WITHDRAWAL TIMETABLE NOT AFFECTED
Fischer said the U.S. does not believe the situation on the West Bank and Gaza Strip will affect the timetable of Israel’s withdrawal from Sinai on April 25. He said that Premier Menachem Begin has “consistently” said he would “adhere” to Israel’s commitments under the Camp David agreements. “We believe the withdrawal will take place on schedule,” Fischer said.
The spokesman rejected a suggestion by an Arab reporter that U.S. troops in the new Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), which will police Sinai after Israel withdraws, should be used to restore peace to the West Bank and Gaza. This is “not an option under serious consideration,” Fischer said.
Meanwhile, the State Department has scheduled a ceremony tomorrow morning at which Secretary of State Alexander Haig will sign the MFO agreement for the U.S. The other signatory is MFO Director General Leamon Hunt.
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