Washington Report, May 30, 1983, Page 6

Facts For Your Files: A Chronology of U.S.-Middle East Relations

May 13:

Commenting on the recent flows of sophisticated Soviet weaponry and Soviet technicians to Syria, Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger said at a meeting of the American Jewish Committee in New York City: "I want to make it very clear to the Soviets and any proxies they may have in Syria that any aggression by them would be met by a retaliatory force that would make the aggression totally unworthwhile, totally lacking in any hope of gain to the aggressors." Mr. Weinberger, who described himself as a "strong supporter" of Israel, did not say what country would be responsible for retaliation.

May 13:

In remarks that were more conciliatory toward Syria than those made by Secretary Weinberger on the same day, Secretary of State George Shultz said in an address to the Business Council of Hot Springs, Virginia, that Syria has "legitimate security concerns with respect to Lebanon" and that both it and the U.S. "regard a renewal of contacts and improved relations as in the mutual interest."

May 16:

The parliaments of Israel and Lebanon both endorsed the U.S.-backed agreement between Lebanon and Israel which calls for the withdrawal of Israel's troops from Lebanon. The Israeli approval was by a vote of 57 to 6, with 45 abstentions. Most of the abstentions were cast by Labor Party members, who disapproved the agreement because it did not set a specific timetable for the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The vote in Lebanon's parliament was unanimous.

May 17:

Government representatives of Lebanon and Israel signed—in separate ceremonies in each of the two countries—the agreement formally ending the state of war between Lebanon and Israel and setting forth a framework for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon. The signing was witnessed by Morris Draper, the U.S. Special Negotiator for Lebanon. Negotiations on the withdrawal accord commenced last December 28.

May 17:

When asked at a press conference how he planned to encourage Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon, thereby setting the stage for Israel's evacuation, President Reagan said: "I can't believe that the Syrians want to find themselves alone, separated from all of their Arab allies," which, the President added, were "urging them to stick with their word and to leave when all forces are prepared to leave."

May I8:

In response to Syria's announced decision not to receive U.S. special envoy Philip Habib for a discussion of a Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, State Department spokesman John Hughes said: "The Syrian attitude regarding the Ambassador's (Habib's) visit is certainly not in the spirit we hoped to have." But he stressed that Administration officials had "not accepted the suggestion that this is a final closing of the door" for a possible Syrian commitment to leave Lebanon.

May 20:

The Reagan Administration notified Congress of its intention to allow the purchase by Israel, for delivery in 1986—a year later than originally planned—of 75 F-16s. The President had suspended the sale after Israel's invasion of Lebanon last summer. The President had said that the planes could not legally be sold to Israel while its forces were "in the position of occupying another country," meaning Lebanon.

 May 20:

The Senate approved $251 million in additional assistance for Lebanon this year, including $150 million in grants to help rebuild Lebanon's economy, $100 million in loan guarantees for military equipment purchases, and $1 million for military training.