The Reagan Administration indicated today that if it strikes at the terrorists responsible for the bombing of the marine headquarters in Beirut, it may be as a pre-emptive act to prevent further attacks rather than retaliation.
This attitude emerged in the wake of the French bombing today of terrorist positions in the same area hit by the Israelis yesterday. But while the Israelis called their action retaliation for the terrorist attacks against the U.S. and French military headquarters in Beirut and the Israeli installation in Tyre, the French reportedly said their strike today was a “preemptive” move.
State Department spokesman John Hughes, refusing to comment on the French action as he had refused on the Israeli raid, continued to maintain that the Administration will abide by the position announced Monday that it will not discuss the question of retaliation one way or another. Hughes said the United States was informed about the French action before it took place “through the multi-national force mechanism,” but stressed the French were not acting for the MNF which consists of United States, French, British and Italian troops.
The Israeli action yesterday could also be seen as preventive, according to Hughes. “I don’t think the Israelis ruled out the possibility that those in the target area might be active on another occasion against the Israelis,” he said.
Asked if the United States would consider taking a preventive military action, Hughes replied that “we have made our position plain” in statements by President Reagan and Secretary of State George Shultz. Both have said that the United States will do what it can to protect the marines from further terrorist attack.
SHAMIR VISIT SET FOR NOV. 29
Hughes also said he had no way of knowing if the raids by the Israelis and the French had eliminated all those in the groups responsible for the attacks on the United States, French and Israeli installations. “Some may be and some may not,” he said.
Meanwhile, the White House announced today that Reagan will meet with Israeli Premier Yitzhak Shamir and Defense Minister Moshe Arens on November 29. It will be Shamir’s first visit to Washington since becoming Premier.
The meeting will take place exactly a week after Reagan meets with Israeli President Chaim Herzog. While in Washington next week, Herzog is also scheduled to receive an honorary degree from Georgetown University on Monday and to address the National Press Club on Wednesday.
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