Grim anniversaries for F

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JUNE 5 is a black day in the history of the Middle East, since it marked the start of the Six Day War in 1967.

In the course of that whirlwind operation Israel defeated the Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian armies, expelled hundreds of thousands of Syrians and Palestinians from their homes across its newly gained frontiers, and settled for a pro longed occupation over more than a million others.

This year the same cursed day also marked the first annivesary of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, massacring tens of thousands of Palestinians and Lebanese, expelling once more hundreds of thousands (many of them for the third or fourth time) and establishing its occupation over more than a million others.

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The sponsors of the last invasion had no time to commemorate their anniversary. They have been too busy in recent weeks with new plots to achieve the same strategic aims for which they unleashed the last war.

US Secretary - of State Shultz redefined these aims in the framework of the agreement signed on May 17 by Israel and the regime in Beirut. It calls for:

*Continued Israeli military supervisory presence in southern Lebanon, with an open right of military intervention. Strengthening of the US and European imperialist occupation forces in Lebanon. Lebanese troops take away Palestinian fighters stopped the seemingly unstoppable torce of the invasion, but has begun to tip back the balance of power.

The Syrian army has reintorced itself, and seems more ready to confront an Israeli assault now than it was a year ago.

The Assad regime has seen the imperialist stranglehold tighten around Syria with the new "Israeli-Lebanese" agreement. As a result Syria is now better armed and air-defended - by the Soviet Union, whom the US wanted to oust altogether from any foothold in the Middle East.

The PLO 'has not, as expected, been pushed into the deadly embrace of Jordan's King Hussein by the blows it suffered in Lebanon. Instead it has been pushed by imperialism's harsh legitimacy of the regime installed on Israeli and US bayonets.

Guerrilla activity continues all across the occupied territories. It was brought to the international spotlight by the blasting of the American embassy, now carrie terrilla actions are Bene ing some two to three Israeli soldiers dead each week.

"Security measures" undertaken by the occupiers more and more take the form of mass repression. Whole regions are put under curfew; mass arrests and carried out; and the whole population is terrorised to force it to stop giving shelter to the guerrillas.

That has not worked so far, and the Israelis themselves admit that more and more Lebanese people now actively support the guerrillas.

Some Israeli press and politicians, drawing up their balance sheets on the anniversary of the war, raised the possibility of another definition of their aims.

They say that the war was carried out in line with the 'grand plan' for a new order in Lebanon. Now they are claiming that plan was never endorsed by them, and are calling for the implementation of a "small plan" to create a . "security zone" some 45 kilometres along Israel's northern border.

They claim that this zone could be held for a longer period without so many casualties.

It should be noted that the Israeli 'Labour' Party, and parts of the Peace Now movement now call for this plan, which actually means annexing to Işrael an area containing 750,000 Lebanese.

They say a withdrawal from these areas will be possible if Israel's security is protected by Israel's own puppet Major Haddad.

The chances of Haddad holding on without israel are slender. So far the Israelis claim to have enlisted 1600 Lebanese to his militia, and his forces are no-more than a thin cover for Israeli army units.

The US officials have said they wouldn't even hear of an early Israeli withdrawal from any part of Lebanon without securing the regime in Beirut.

Israel's preparations for long occupation suggest that they do not see the "independent" Lebanon project as feasible.

In sidon, the capital oi the Sion h, as carried ave to destres all social institutions, trade unions, the chamber of commerce, etc., and to force the emigration of anybody liable to constitute a centre of opposition to prolongea occupation.

Che" grand plan" calls today for a new full-scale war in the north. The "small plan" means a full-scale war against the population in the south.

War The anniversary of the war and occupation was marked by the people of the West Bank and Gaza by strikes, demonstrations and clashes with the police. Curfews were declared in advance to cover many refugee camps - one of the tactics introduced by the new Israeli war minister Arens.

The biggest university in the West Bank, Al-Nagah in Nablus, was closed by the military governor for the rest of the year, joining many high schools. In Bir-Zeit, the meeting by • national and left movements wi attacked by the Mosie Brotherhood.

The effects of the prolong war are starting to strain d nerves of Jewish society whi has been used to short and eal victories.

Near Begin's home there permanent picket showing number of Israeli soldiers died in the invasion.

By this week, the offici Israeli count reached d symbolic 500 dead. The TV at press carry constant repor from new funerals, whe parents and friends blame government for the death their loved ones.

Official criticism of publicity given to the rising t of victims can only infuri more people.

Some soldiers are oper refusing an order to en Lebanon, and are routinely se for some 30 days to a milita prison.

They are organise here t banner ot the . border" movement, which coll ted two thousand signatures soldiers and officers requesti not to be sent to Lebanon.

For the first ten months of d war some three were jail every month. For the last ti months refusals have started/ grow in number and the tol has reached 60.

War Minister Arens clair -that refusals on principle • marginal in number and do constitute a problem. He no! that there is a much wider t dency to avoid service in Lebl on by soldiers giving fam health or economic reasons. 1 More than one hund thousand people joined Peace Now demonstration in ! centre of Tel Aviv on Saturd night, June 4.

The leadership didn't agree the slogan calling for an imm iate withdrawal from Leban but the demonstration was f of it.

The Peace Now. leaders also avoided mention of the 1! anniversary of the 1967 occul tion, but again slogans w shouted by the participa like 'The war's head is. Lebanon, and its foot in West Bank"

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