The State Department expressed concern today about increased tensions on the West Bank and “the use of potential lethal. force against demonstrators.”
Department spokesman Dean Fischer, in response to a question, said the Department had seen press reports about the demonstrations on the West Bank. “We are concerned about the heightened level of tensions and the use of potential lethal force against demonstrators,” he said reading from a prepared statement.
“We deeply regret the tragic loss of life,” Fischer continued in an apparent reference to the reported deaths of two West Bank residents. “We strongly urge all concerned to exert their best effort to restore calm and to avoid further violence by bloodshed.”
In another matter, Fischer refused to comment on reports that Israel had been poised to move its troops into Lebanon twice last week but had been dissuaded by the Reagan Administration not to do so, one time 30 minutes before the Israeli troops were ready to move.
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