The Michigan Daily-Thursday, May 7, 1981-Page 9
'Missile crisis' focus
ofSyria-Israel con flict
From AP and UPI own territory and demonstrated they restrict the ability of Israeli pilots to at-
BEIRUT, Lebanon-Syria accused are "continuously ready to confront tack Lebanon-based Palestinian
Israel and the United States yesterday Israel at any time," the official SANA guerrillas. The Israelis say an unwrit-
of turning the Middle East into "a real news agency said in Damascus. ten 1979 agreement gave them free rein
powder keg," and gave no sign it plan- ISRAELI warplanes streaked over over Lebanese skies in exchange for
ned to withdraw Soviet-made anti-air- the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon Syrian freedom to police north and cen-
craft missiles from Lebanon. Israeli for the first time since Syria deployed tral Lebanon. Syria denies it made such
Prime Minister Menachem Begin anti-aircraft missiles there last week, an agreement.
called the missile crisis "very grave." n Associated Press reporter in the In his newspaper inter-
"We have a position on the missile valley said. No fire was exchanged, he view-published on Israel's Memorial
problem," Begin was quoted yesterday said. The jets also were seen over the Day, honoring soldiers killed in its wars
as saying in the newspaper Maariv. "It Mediterranean port cities of Sidon and with the Arabs-Begin said his gover-
must be solved. If a solution is not found Tyre. nment has given the United States time
one way, it will be found in another The Syrian government newspaper to solve the missile crisis. But he added,
way. But it will be found." Tishrin said if the United States wanted "it is difficult to say what a reasonable
HIS COMMENTS preceded the to "avert an explosion in the area," it period is."
arrival in the Middle East of American should send emissaries "and advice to Begin said he fears waiting too long
and Soviet envoys. Soviet Deputy the Israeli leaders." would allow Syria to introduce more
Foreign Minister Georgy Kowniyenkov Syrian Foreign Minister Abdul Halim weapons, limiting his nation's military
flew into Damascus yesterday. Veteran Khaddam said Tuesday that Israel's in- options. "The effort to destroy them
American diplomat Philip Habib was sistence on withdrawal of the missiles may hurt our boys. We want to prevent
due in Lebanon today, the Lebanese is "ridiculous and not negotiable." But that."
Foreign Ministry reported. he said his government was willing to
The visit was seen as a sign of listen to what Habib had to say. Support the
possible cooperation between the THE CHRISTIAN-RUN "Radio Free
Soviets and the Reagan administration Lebanon" said the Syrians had March of Dim es
to keep the peace. deployed more than 20 anti-aircraft .M IRTH DEFECiS FOUNDATION .
Meanwhile time appeared to be run- batteries, armed with SAM-2, 3 and 6
ning out as Syrian soldiers held mock missiles. Previously reports from
war games and Israeli jets flew over Lebanon only mentioned the SAM-6
Syrian surface-to-air missile em- missiles.
placements ir Lebanon yesterday. Israel contends its security is en-
Syrian troops maneuvered on their dangered by the missiles because they
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