Soviet pledge

Press, 29 May 1981, Page 9

Soviet pledge

NZPA-Reuter . Moscow The Soviet Union yesterday pledged continued support for Syria’s role in Lebanon and urged Arab States to concentrate their efforts on convening an international conference on the Middle East.

The pledge of support for President Hafez Assad of Syria in his confrontation with Israel came in an official report by the Soviet news agency Tass after talks between King Hussein of Jordon and President Leonid Brezhnev. “It also intends to continue giving support to the legitimate Lebanese authorities and the pan-Arab peacekeeping forces in Lebanon and to work for achieving national concord in that country,” the report said. It did not say whether King Hussein endorsed the statement of support for Syria. In a speech on Wednesday evening he condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon but made no mention of Syria. But Western and Arab di-

plomats said that despite some differences, the Soviet Union would have reason to be satisfied with the main outcome of King Hussein’s visit — his support for the Soviet goal of a new Middle East peace conference, to include the Palestine Liberation Organisation. The King gave explicit backing for Mr Brezhnev’s proposal after meeting him for an opening round of talks.

The report on yesterday’s discussions said the Soviet side was convinced that Arab countries should concentrate their efforts on convening an international Middle East conference.

Diplomats said Moscow would be likely to present King Hussein's support for the Soviet stand as more evidence of the failure of American policy in the Middle East.

But the king, unlike Mr Brezhnev, refrained from attacking the United States in his speech and carefully left the door open for other peace initiatives.