U.S., Lebanon dominate E.E.C. summit talks

Press, 29 June 1982, Page 9

U.S., Lebanon dominate E.E.C. summit talks

NZPA-Reuter Brussels European Economic Community leaders began a twoday summit conference in Brussels. Belgium, today with diplomats predicting that E.E.C concerns would be largely overshadowed by a crisis in relations with the United States and attempts to forge a united response to Israel's invasion of Lebanon.

But diplomats said that the 10 leaders would consider French concern about the cost and the effect on French Mediterranean farmers of Spain's and Portugal's planned entry into the Community in 1984.

Sharp differences with Washington over a SovietWest European gas pipeline, steel and monetary ■ policy have been worsened by the resignation of the American Secretary of State (Mr Alexander Haig). ■ Mr Haig was widely regarded in Europe as the’ man in Washington most sensitive to E.E.C. concerns. His departure has been seen by

some West European officials as evidence of a possible move to a more hawkish United States foreign policy. The diplomats said that the 10 leaders would probably issue a strong condemnation of an American decision to try to impose a tight embargo on technology for the pipeline and might send a special envoy to Washington to discuss relations.

Belgium, which will preside at the summit conference has made it clear that it opposes retaliation against Washington but favours regular E.E.C.-United States Ministerial meetings to improve relations.

The leaders, meeting for the second time this year, will also discuss the Miudle East and decide whether to impose sanctions on Israel for its invasion of Lebanon.

The meeting comes two years after an E.E.C. summit conference in Venice, when the Common Market first joined the search for a Middle East peace. It called

then for Palestine Liberation Organisation involvement in peace talks. Greece is pressing for sanctions to back up an E.E.C. condemnation of the invasion and other member States have suggested that an arms ban might be possible. But diplomats said that West German and Dutch opposition made such a decision unlikely. The diplomats said that the leaders would examine a possible E.E.C role in promoting Middle East peace and would issue a statement on means of achieving selfdetermination for the Palestinians in the Israelioccupied territories. The French President (Mr Francois Mitterrand) is expected to voice concern about Spanish and Portuguese entry to the E.E.C.. but Community officials said that he was unlikely to get much support. Diplomats 'said that the conference could give a clear political signal on whether the planned 1984 entry date could be met.