Statement Criticizing Israeli Shelling of Beirut
(August 4, 1982)
Last night Israeli forces moved forward on several
fronts from their cease-fire lines around Beirut. These movements were
accompanied by heavy Israeli shelling and came only a day after I had
made clear to the Israeli Government, in my meeting with Foreign Minister Shamir, that the United
States placed great importance on the sustained maintenance of a cease-fire
in place -- to avoid further civilian casualties and to secure the prompt
withdrawal of the PLO forces
in Beirut.
This is a necessary first step toward our goal of restoring the authority
of the Government of Lebanon, a goal Ambassador Habib is earnestly working
toward with the full cooperation of the Government of Lebanon.
Through governments which have direct contact with
the PLO, I have expressed my strong conviction that the PLO must not
delay further its withdrawal from Lebanon.
At the same time I have expressed to the Government of Israel the absolute
necessity of reestablishing and maintaining a strict cease-fire in place
so that this matter can be promptly resolved.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |