U.S. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger warned Syria today that the United States will continue to hit Syrian positions in Lebanon if they shoot at American reconnaissance flights.
Weinberger, who is in Paris for talks with French Defense Minister Charles Hemu, confirmed that “according to information we now have” two American planes were lost in this morning’s air strike over Lebanon. The U.S. Defense Secretary said that one of the downed pilots has been recovered and is aboard an American vessel and that two others were “in Syrian hands.”
Weinberger told newsmen after a four hour meeting with Hemu that diplomatic contacts would start “immediately” to obtain the release of the two American airmen. He said daily reconnaissance flights over Lebanon were essential for the safety of the entire multinational force which consists of American, French, Italian and British contingents. He said America took the decision to stage today’s air strike in response to attacks on U.S. reconnaissance missions. He said that “some 28 planes” had taken part in today’s air strike. Weinberger and Hemu, according to French sources, were in nearly complete agreement on the need to keep the multinational force in Beirut, back Amin Gemayel’s government and respond to any provocations.
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