NSDD 109 Responding to the Lebanon Crisis

UNCLASSHED Beirut area including closer collaboration with Lebanese security agencies and those confessional militias able to assist in controlling the movement of hostile terrorist factions. -- General Kelley will meet with delegations of other MNF countries that may travel to Beirut and the leadership of the MNF contingents to explore means and measures to our reduce collective exposure. High-Level MNF Meeting bl -- To this end, the interagency review of our Persian Gulf policy, in particular the questions of our position toward the Irag-Iran War, should be completed early this week. test Lebanon Negotiations The choice of a Presidential envoy for the Middle East will be made within the next several days. Thereafter, the selection of supporting staff and travel arrangements should be completed forthwith with a view to permitting an early departure for the Middle East. : -- Our ambassador in Beirut should schedule meetings with President Gemayel and the Lebanese government to accelerate the resolution of outstanding issues in the process of promoting national reconciliation. -- He should formally request that the government of Lebanon sever all diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. -- He should also undertake urgent consultations with the leaders of all the principal Lebanese factions to stress U.S. disquiet over repeated delays in arranging the national reconciliation conference. He should stress that while we are committed to the process of reconciliation, the U.S. government cannot tolerate interminable delays in the process. Ramer Reyan IINO ASSIFIFO