Washington Report, October 3, 1983, Page 6

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

September 17:

According to a U.S. marine spokesman, two U.S. warships offshore from Lebanon fired at targets "deep inside Syrian-controlled areas of Lebanon" which were thought by marines to be the source of shelling on the U.S. ambassador's residence near Beirut and the nearby Lebanese Ministry of Defense. where several American military advisors have offices. The response marked the first time firepower was used by U.S. forces to protect Americans at the residence and the Defense Ministry.

September 18:

Gen. Paul X. Kelley, Marine Corps commandant, said on a television news show that whoever has been shooting at U.S. marine positions in Lebanon "...is shooting more at where we are than who we are." He added: "There is no indication anybody is purposefully taking marines under fire."

September 19:

Two American warships off the coast of Lebanon fired more than 300 47-pound shells into the hills overlooking Beirut. where Druze militiamen—seeking to capture the town of Stiq al Gharb—battled the Lebanese army. John Stewart. the U.S. embassy's public affairs officer, said the naval shelling—which he characterized as "defensive actions"—was directed at "military targets threatening the Lebanese armed forces' defense of Suq al Gharb." Up to this time no American force has been used in direct support of Lebanon's army.

September 19:

In an effort to justify the U.S. naval bombardment of Druze positions near Suq al Gharb, presidential spokesman Larry Speakes said: "The successful Lebanese army force defense of the (Suq al Gharb) area is vital to the safety of U.S. personnel, including the U.S. multinational force, other U.S. military and the U.S. diplomatic corps presence. If hostile forces should take the high ground at Suq al Gharb, they would pose a threat to the safety of our international contingent."

September 21:

In separate speeches before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee Secretary of State George Shultz said: "Our (the U.S.'s) policy, and that of Lebanon, has had two tracks: foreign troop withdrawal (from Lebanon) and national reconciliation. Both these tracks have been blocked by Syria..." He alleged that Syria "has instigated and organized political opposition within Lebanon and has armed several factions engaged in military actions against the legitimate government."

September 22:

The Senate approved an amendment to the FY 84-85 State Department authorization bill calling for the deobligation of all monies previously appropriated for Syria which have not yet been disbursed, a sum of approximately $227 million. A similar amendment, also approved, was attached to the FY 84-85 foreign aid bill during an appropriations mark-up session in the Senate Foreign Operations Subcommittee.

September 26:

A cease-fire went into effect in Lebanon following three weeks of intense fighting around Beirut and in the Shuf mountains between Lebanese army troops and various opposing militias-fighting which erupted when Israel redeployed its forces in southern Lebanon on September 4. President Reagan described the cease-fire as "a first step" toward a more permanent peace in Lebanon and said that we must recognize that Saudi Arabia had a very definite hand in bringing about this first step." U.S. Middle East negotiator Robert McFarlane was also a key figure in the negotiations.

September 28:

The House voted 270 to 161 to authorize President Reagan—under provisions of the War Powers Resolution—to keep U.S. marines, now totaling 1,600, in Lebanon for an additional 18 months.

September 29:

The Senate, like the House, voted by 54 to 46 to authorize U.S. marines to remain in Lebanon for an additional 18 months.