Letter to Congress Regarding Deployment of U.S. Forces
in Beirut
(August 24, 1982)
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
On August 18, 1982, the Government of Lebanon established a plan for
the departure from Lebanon of the Palestine Liberation Organization
leadership, offices, and combatants in Beirut. This plan has been accepted
by the Government of Israel. The Palestine Liberation Organization has
informed the Government of Lebanon that it also has accepted the plan.
A key element of this plan is the need for a multinational force, including
a United States component, to assist the Government of Lebanon in carrying
out its responsibilities concerning the withdrawal of these personnel
under safe and orderly conditions. This will facilitate the restoration
of Lebanese Government sovereignty and authority over the Beirut area.
In response to the formal request of the Government of Lebanon, and
in view of the requirement for such a force in order to secure the acceptance
by concerned parties of the departure plan, I have authorized the Armed
Forces of the United States to participate on a limited and temporary
basis. In accordance with my desire that the Congress be fully informed
on this matter, and consistent with the War Powers Resolution, I am
hereby providing a report on the deployment and mission of these members
of the United States Armed Forces.
On August 21, in accordance with the departure plan, approximately
350 French military personnel -- the advance elements of the multinational
force -- were deployed in Beirut together with elements of the Lebanese
Armed Forces, and the departure of Palestinian personnel began. To date,
Palestinian personnel have departed Lebanon in accordance with the terms
of the plan.
On August 25, approximately 800 U.S. Marines began to arrive in Beirut.
These troops are equipped with weapons consistent with their non-combat
mission, including usual infantry weapons.
Under our agreement with the Government of Lebanon, these U.S. military
personnel will assist the Government of Lebanon in carrying out its
responsibilities concerning the withdrawal of Palestinian personnel
under safe and orderly conditions. The presence of our forces will in
this way facilitate the restoration of Lebanese Government sovereignty
and authority in the Beirut area. Our forces will operate in close coordination
with the Lebanese Armed Forces, which will have 2500 - 3500 personnel
assigned to this operation, as well as with a total of approximately
800 French and 400 Italian military personnel in the multinational force.
Transportation of the personnel departing is being carried out by commercial
air and sea transport, and by land. According to our agreement with
the Government of Lebanon, the United States military personnel will
be withdrawn from Lebanon within thirty days.
I want to emphasize that there is no intention or expectation that
U.S. Armed Forces will become involved in hostilities. They are in Lebanon
at the formal request of the Government of Lebanon. Our agreement with
the Government of Lebanon expressly rules out any combat responsibilities
for the U.S. forces. All armed elements in the area have given assurances
that they will take no action to interfere with the implementation of
the departure plan or the activities of the multinational force. (The
departure has been underway for some days now, and thus far these assurances
have been fulfilled.) Finally, the departure plan makes it clear that
in the event of a breakdown in its implementation, the multinational
force will be withdrawn. Although we cannot rule out isolated acts of
violence, all appropriate precautions have thus been taken to assure
the safety of U.S. military personnel during their brief assignment
to Lebanon.
This deployment of the United States Armed Forces to Lebanon is being
undertaken pursuant to the President's constitutional authority with
respect to the conduct of foreign relations and as Commander-in-Chief
of the United States Armed Forces.
This step will not, by itself, resolve the situation in Lebanon, let
alone the problems which have plagued the region for more than thirty
years. But I believe that it will improve the prospects for realizing
our objectives in Lebanon:
-- a permanent cessation of hostilities;
-- establishment of a strong, representative central government;
-- withdrawal of all foreign forces;
-- restoration of control by the Lebanese Government throughout the
country; and
-- establishment of conditions under which Lebanon no longer can be
used as a launching point for attacks against Israel.
I also believe that progress on the Lebanon problem will contribute
to an atmosphere in the region necessary for progress towards the establishment
of a comprehensive peace in the region under Camp David, based firmly
on U.N. Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
Sincerely,
Ronald
Reagan
Sources: Public Papers of the President |