The State Department accused the Soviet Union today of trying to “exacerbate inflamed emotions and increase tensions” in the Mideast by charging that Israel plans a “piratic strike” against Syria.
Department deputy spokesman Alan Romberg said, “We don’t have any information that a buildup is underway” by the Israeli army or that Israel plans any “military action” in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon against the Syrians or against the SAM-5 surface-to-air Soviet-made missiles recently installed in Syria.
Romberg said the Soviet charges may be aimed at “undermining political efforts of all parties to achieve a fair and comprehensive settlement” in the Middle East.
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