U.S. Says It is Working Diligently for Cease-fire

The State Department said today that the U.S. is “working diligently for a cease-fire” in Lebanon “and Israel’s withdrawal” of its forces in compliance with the United Nations Security Council resolution to that effect. “The U.S. hopes that no actions from any quarter will be taken that would further aggravate the situation,” Department deputy spokesman Alan Romberg said.

Secretary of State Alexander Haig, at a press conference in London today, said “there has been no decision” by the U.S. to impose sanctions against Israel as of means of affecting its withdrawal from Lebanon. “President Reagan made it clear the first priority must be to do all possible to bring about a termination of the bloodshed,” Haig said. The Secretary of State who is accompanying Reagan on a state visit to Britain, noted that U.S. special envoy Philip Habib met with Premier Menachem Begin in Jerusalem yesterday and today. He said their talks had been “profitable.”

“Until we see how these discussions proceed, value judgments will be deferred,” Haig said. He added that “The primary objective of U.S. policy, and it will become increasingly urgent, will be to strengthen the Lebanese government. We would hope there would be a lessening of the Syrian presence and a strengthening of Lebanese institutions.” Haig also said the U.S. “would view … with grave concern” any appeal by the Palestine Liberation Organization for assistance from the Soviet Union.

Romberg, asked about reports that PLO chief Yasir Arafat had asked the Soviets for help, said “We do not expect Soviet forces to be involved.” He also said, in reply to questions, that he was “not aware” that the PLO has made any direct or indirect contacts with the U.S. “As in the past, the patterns of our activity is that we are in touch with people who have influence in the situation. I am not aware of any effort by the PLO to get in touch with us either directly or indirectly,” he said.

Romberg said he had seen, but could not confirm, reports that Iran might send its forces to join the fighting in Lebanon. “We certainly trust that the conflict will remain contained within the present context and we strongly urge all parties to do nothing further that will result in a widening of the fighting,” he said. Romberg said he could not confirm reports that Haig would go to the Middle East after his present visit to Europe.

Meanwhile, several Arab Ambassadors met today, at their request, with Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Walter Stoessel Jr. The Israeli Ambassador, Moshe Arens, met with Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. No details of these meetings were released.