DATE=4/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL - LEBANON (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260850
BYLINE=SUSAN SAPPIR
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
Intro: Israel rejects a Lebanese threat to deploy
Syrian troops on its southern border in the event of a
unilateral Israel withdrawal. Susan Sappir reports
from Jerusalem.
Text: Israel says it will not permit the stationing of
Syrian troops on its border with Lebanon, that would
Tel Aviv within Syrian rocket range. The statement by
Israeli military sources came in response to comments
by Lebanon's defense minister who warned Syria could
move into the border area if Israel withdrew.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has vowed to end
Israel's 22-year occupation of south Lebanon by July.
Israel had hoped its move would be part of a larger
peace deal with Syria, so that Syrian forces would
assume the responsibility for reining in Lebanese
guerrillas. But following the deadlock in Israeli-
Syrian negotiations, Israel has promised to pursue its
policy of withdrawing from Lebanon even if it has to
do so unilaterally.
Lebanese Defense Minister Ghazi Zueiter stated on
Saturday that Syrian troops, which have been stationed
in Lebanon even longer than the Israelis, could move
in to the border area. He went further and said
explicitly that this would `bring Tel Aviv within the
range of Syrian missiles.'
Israeli Trade Minister Ran Cohen said the Lebanese,
together with the Syrians, were attempting to keep the
border tense while avoiding peace talks, and called
this an evasion of responsibility. Israeli Tourism
Minister Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, a former army chief,
said Syria appeared to be avoiding a direct
confrontation with Israel now. However, he said, if
its forces were deployed on the Lebanese border, this
would create `a whole new situation.' Israeli military
sources said such a movement would cross a `red line'
and Israel would not permit it. (Signed)
NEB/SS/PLM
02-Apr-2000 06:09 AM EDT (02-Apr-2000 1009 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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