I do not believe we should make equally unsupportable charges against Lebanon. I contend. after careful study of the situation. that Lebanon is doing all it can to contain and discourage the militants that it cannot force to leave its borders. In the first place. where would Lebanon get the force to expel the refugees? And second. what good would expulsion do? As long as the refugees have no hope of having their problems settled. they will be cancers on Mideast harmony wherever they may settle. But I am saddened and must protest that innocent men. women. and children are being killed in quiet Lebanon villages with equipment furnished by the United States. Certainly our purpose in sending planes and munitions was to maintain peace. and I believe that we have a vested interest in maintaining that peace. Our Government has again renewed its official position recognizing the importance of fair and impartial treatment for all peoples of the Middle East and our insistence on the territorial integrity of their nations. This is a start toward peace in this troubled region. but peace can only be achieved if the refugee problem is solved. I know it has been a problem so large. so diverse that the nations of that area and indeed the world powers have been reluctant to demand and reach solution. But I also believe that the United States should now take the lead in seeking that solution.
Keywords matched
refugee refugees