LEBANESE CRISIS Leftists’ strike call challenge to Syria

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34129, 15 April 1976, Page 13

LEBANESE CRISIS Leftists’ strike call challenge to Syria

(,v 7 P A.-Reuter—Copyright BEIRUT. April 14. A Left-wing call for a general strike today in the southern port of Sidon poses a challenge to Syria's growing role in Lebanon's crisis.

Leftist leaders have j urged their supporters to demonstrate in Sidon against Syrian intervention, and what they describe as an American plan to weaken the Palestinian commando movement. Syrian-led troops, some of [them Palestinians, have taken iup positions in Sidon, where i disturbances early last year 'gave a taste of the trouble [to come. ■ Syria, which is reported now to have about 16.000 troops under its command in I Lebanon, will recall the lesson of those demonstrations, when the death of a Leftwing politician was blamed on the Lebanese Army. The incident gave the army a pro-Right wing Christian image, which rendered it useless for restoring peace later between the Right and Leftwing factions’ gunmen. Commandos' fear I Syrian penetration of many I parts of Lebanon has aroused j the ire of the Lebanese Left, [and the anxiety of Pales-; itinian commandos. The' [United States is a more con-. [venient political whipping j boy than Syria, but many! commando leaders fear that' Syria wants to curb their i power in order to do a deal with Israel. The commandos still need Syria’s support, however, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation leader, Mr Yasser Arafat, yesterday’ had talks with Left-wing and Moslem Lebanese leaders. There are still signs of severe strain and diplomatic sources say that the Socialist leader, Mr Kamal Jum[blatt, has been angered by an [understanding reached between Syria and two key [Leftist leaders in northern Lebanon. i No details are available, jbut if Syria has pacified the [northern port of Tripoli, the 'Moslem blockade of Christian

.strongholds north-east of I Beirut may well be lifted A further sign of discontent with Syria is that Radio Beirut, which is controlled by the leaders of the abortive coup d'etat bid on March 11 against President [Franjieh, has not yet mentioned the speech on Monday by President Assad of Syria, [who took the Lebanese Left Ito task, tactfully not mentioning names but implicitly accusing it of trying to wage [sectarian war against the Christians. ' Tile speech has been welcomed by Mr Franjieh’s Right-wing supporters. and [observers wonder whether [this could provoke a Leftist 'backlash. The truce proclaimed this month by Mr Jumblatt continued yesterday in familiar pattern: there was some sniping, kidnapping. and shelling. ' The police say that 51 bodies were found yesterday, and that 95 people were wounded. In Jerusalem, the Israeli [Prime Minister (Mr Rabin) [said last night that Israel [Would decide on any action over Lebanon only if its se[curity were endangered. Mr Rabin told a group of [.students: “What steps to (take, and when to take I them, will be decided when ‘the Cabinet has become convinced that Israel s security is in direct danger." the Prime Minister said. The Minister of Defence (Mr Shimon Peres) had earlier told paratroopers that Israel had the strength to repulse any’ Syrian initiative

on the Golan Heights or along the Lebanese Border Mr Peres said later on television that Israel was appraising the situation ill Lebanon on an hourly basis “Our attitude has not changed. What is changing is the situation in Lebanon from hour to hour, and we are watching this from hour to hour." he said. Il is reported from Washington that the United States Navy aircraft-carrier U.S S Saratoga has been moved into the eastern Mediterranean The Pentagon spokesman. Mi V. i - wtn said that the Saratoga and two escorting destroyers sailed from Yugoslavia to [the Mediterranean more than a week ago, indicated that the carrier force was in the same general area as a task force of seven ships led by the helicopter-carrier Guadalcanal. The task group has been standing off about 400 miles from the coast of Lebanon for more than two weeks in case it is needed to take to safety the 2400 American citizens in Lebanon. Citroen tube-over Peugeot, the french private car producer, has announced it has taken complete control of its mam competitor, Citroen. The take-over gives the tw> firms a combined output and sales capacity to vie with the State-owned Renault Company for leadership of Ithe French car market. — [Paris.