The State Department today said it had no problems with the statement issued by the European Economic Community (EEC) which condemned Israel’s invasion of Lebanon as long as it does not “interfere” with the negotiations between Lebanese government officials and special U.S. envoy Philip Habib.
“We do not have a problem with the public statement issued by the members of the international community as long as they do not interfere with the delicate, important negotiations underway which had been undertaken by Ambassador Habib,” Department spokesman Dean Fischer said.
The statement issued yesterday by the 10-member states of the EEC “vigorously condemned” the Israeli military action in Lebanon, called for the simultaneous withdrawal of Israeli and Palestinian forces from Beirut and also called for participation of the Palestine Liberation Organization in future peace negotiations.
On the latter call for PLO participation in peace negotiations which was a reiteration of the EEC’s 1980 Venice declaration, Fischer said “the U.S. remains committed to the Camp David peace process as the only existing workable basis for a negotiated resolution of the Palestinian problem and the Camp David accords call for a solution that recognized the legitimate rights and just requirements of the Palestinian people and also ensures the security of Israel.”
CITES ‘DELICATE MOMENT’
The spokesman also reiterated the U.S. position in Lebanon stating: “We support the goals set forth by the Lebanese government. This is a delicate moment in the discussions now underway in Beirut. The risk remains that if the various parties cannot come to terms, fighting will be resumed.”
On other developments, Fischer would not comment on a report that arrangements are being made for the evacuation of PLO leaders from west Beirut or on reports that the Israeli government has given the PLO an ultimatum. He said he would not “prejudge” a U.S. response to a break in the current cease-fire.
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