The European Economic Community (EEC) today “vigorously condemned” Israel for its invasion of Lebanon and called for a simultaneous withdrawal of Israeli and Palestinian forces from Beirut and its immediate vicinity. The 10 West European heads of state and government refrained, however, from imposing economic sanctions on Israel as several member-states had wanted.
The European summit, which concluded a two-day round of meetings, also called for the Palestine Liberation Organization’s participation in future negotiations. The joint declaration said: “The Palestinians should have the opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination with all that this implies.” The statement added, “The position of the 10 remains that the Palestine Liberation Organization should be associated with the (future) negotiations.” This was a reiteration of the EEC’s 1980 Venice declaration.
MITTERRAND URGES STRONGER RESOLUTION
Diplomatic sources in Brussels said President Francois Mitterrand called on France’s European partners to adopt a strong resolution and specifically spell out the need for a Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza. The final declaration was toned down at West Germany’s and Holland’s request.
The Dutch, reportedly refused to underwrite any statement which could be interpreted as anti-Israel. The West Germans argued that Europe has enough problems with the United States as it is and should not further widen the rift with the American Administration.
The joint declaration which was finally issued stressed that Israel “will not obtain the security which it wants by using force. It can obtain it only by satisfying the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.” The 10 called for “an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from their positions around the Lebanese capital as a first step towards their complete withdrawal” from Lebanon. It said the Palestinians should simultaneously withdraw their forces from their enclave in West Beirut.
The 10 added: “In order to facilitate this withdrawal,” the separation of (enemy) forces should be controlled during this short transitional period by the Lebanese army and, by agreement with the Lebanese government, by United Nations observers and, or UN forces.”
European sources in Brussels said the 10 were “very critical” of past American policies in the Middle East and especially of the U.S. Security Council veto and its negative General Assembly vote. During their private sessions, only British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher defended the American stand. She maintained that Western Europe should refrain from widening rifts at a time when the West should close ranks.
MUBARAK URGES ACTION
The session opened yesterday with a personal note from Egyptian President Hosni Mubark asking Europe “to act immediately to obtain a complete cease-fire in Lebanon.” Mubarak’s message called on the 10 “to make it evident that aggression does not pay.” The Egyptian President rapped the U.S. saying that its Security Council veto “has been a great discouragement.” “It shows,” Mubarak said, “that the United States after having accepted the role of full partner in the (Camp David) peace process refuses, however, to adapt its policy in consequence.”
European diplomats said Mubarak’s tone was the harshest Egypt had used against either America or Israel since the Camp David agreements were signed.
The Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister, Butros Ghali, arrived in Paris today with a similar message to Mitterrand thanking him for his past efforts and urging him to continue trying to obtain “an honorable withdrawal” of the PLO and Israel’s total evacuation of Lebanon. Ghali met with Mitterrand only minutes after the French President returned to Paris from the Brussels summit meeting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
