State Department Says Gemayel’s Death Will Not Affect Reagan’s Middle East Peace Initiative

The State Department said today that President Reagan’s Middle East peace initiative remains the same even though yesterday’s assassination of Lebanon’s President-elect Bashir Gemayel “complicates that mission.” Department spokesman John Hughes also said that the U.S. does “not acquiesce” with the movement of Israeli troops into west Beirut today.

Hughes said that the death of Gemayel “was indeed a tragedy, made even more so because it came at a time of renewed hope that violence in Lebanon can be brought to an end.” He added that “this latest violent tragedy re-emphasizes the need for urgency in the search for peace in the Middle East.”

U.S. OBJECTIVES IN LEBANON

Noting that U.S. special Ambassador Morris Draper is presently in Beirut, the State Department spokesman said he would “continue to work closely with the government of Lebanon in pursuit of its objectives. ” He said those objectives, which were the goal of the slain President-elect and which the U.S. shares, are the restoration of authority of the central government and the withdrawal of all foreign military forces from the country.

Other American aims, Hughes said, were “the creation of conditions which assure that Lebanon will never again be a launching pad for attacks against Israel, the promotion of national unity and reconciliation” and “the strengthening of all national institutions including the army” of Lebanon.

Hughes said the U.S. would be consulting with President Elias Sarkis, Prime Minister Shafiq Wazzan and other Lebanese officials “to explore ways to assist their efforts to maintain stability.” He added; “We have also contacted Israeli officials in Beirut, Washington and in Israel. We have urged they do nothing to increase tensions and we again call upon all parties to exercise restraint.”

Asked if the U.S. shared Israel’s justification for its military actions to restore stability in Beirut, Hughes replied, “It is not a question of sharing their view. We do not acquiesce with the movement of those troops — we were not consulted.”