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Leaving Through the Back Door: The Final Days of the US Intervention in Lebanon

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US Foreign Policy and the Multinational Force in Lebanon

Abstract

This chapter covers the final days of the US in Lebanon, with Reagan and Shultz’s attempts to secure a last-ditch success. This chapter discusses how the Reagan Administration resigned Lebanon’s fate to Syrian dominance and examines how Shultz and Reagan distanced themselves from the humiliation of the MNFII’s failure. This chapter argues that US policy at the end of the MNFII was determined exclusively by the need to find a face-saving exit for US troops rather than due to any concern about stability or security in Lebanon.

Multinational Force II, Phase Four (27 December 1983 to 21 March 1984)

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Notes

  1. 1.

    [Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session with Reporters on the Pentagon Report on the security of US Marines in Lebanon], 27 December 1983.

  2. 2.

    Bernard Guetta, ‘Le risque inhérent à l’engagement américain au Liban constitue la seule menace pour la réélection de M. Reagan’, Le Monde, 26 January 1984.

  3. 3.

    [My meetings with Jumblatt and the Shaykh Aklat Ba’Daran January 9], 3:11 pm 10 January 1984, Cable #101514, Box 45, p.3 & [Situation as of 1700 EST 19 February 1984.], 5:00 pm 19 February 1984, Box 8, RRPL, p.1.

  4. 4.

    Khattar Abou Diab, ‘Le Role de la Force Multinationale au Liban de 1982 a 1984’, (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1984), p.99.

  5. 5.

    Bernardo Valli, ‘Libano strangolato’, La Stampa, 1 February 1984, p.2.

  6. 6.

    [Strategy for US Actions in Lebanon], 4 January 1984, Box 90929, RRPL, pp.1–3.

  7. 7.

    ‘Libano, il “ritiro” Usa si trasforma in una prova di forza con la Siria’, La Stampa, 11 February 1984, p.5.

  8. 8.

    [Next Steps in Lebanon (U)], 30 December 1983, Box 45, RRPL, p.1.

  9. 9.

    ibid.

  10. 10.

    Abdul Halim Khaddam was Syria’s Foreign Affairs Minister until March 1984 when he was promoted to Vice President which he remained for two decades.

  11. 11.

    [Next Steps in Lebanon], Box 45, RRPL, pp.1–3.

  12. 12.

    Thomas Friedman, ‘New Lebanon Talks: Forced Optimism and Crumbs of Hope’, NYT, 12 March 1984.

  13. 13.

    Thomas Friedman, ‘Gemayel, Opening Talks, Urges and End to “9 Years of Insane War”’, NYT, 13 March 1984.

  14. 14.

    [Demarche to MNF Governments], 3:55am, 15 January 1984, Cable #150500, Box 45, RRPL, p.4.

  15. 15.

    [Next Steps in Lebanon], p.3.

  16. 16.

    [Talking Points], 3 January 1984, Box 45, RRPL, p.1.

  17. 17.

    [Address before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union], 25 January 1984; ‘Text of Reagan Letter on Policy in Lebanon’, NYT, 24 January 1984; ‘Wednesday January 4, International’, NYT, 4 January 1984 & [Statement on the Situation in Lebanon], 3 January 1984.

  18. 18.

    [Strategy for US Actions in Lebanon], p.1.

  19. 19.

    [Information support cable for January 7 1984], 11:24 pm 7 January 1984, Cable #72158, Box 90929, RRPL, p.2.

  20. 20.

    [Issues for Discussion/Decision at NSPG], 3 January 1984, Box 45, RRPL, p.1.

  21. 21.

    [CMF Support Cable for 4 January 1984], 3:44am 4 January 1984, Cable #0040011, Box 90929, RRPL, p.1.

  22. 22.

    [Lebanon], 9:00am 4 January 1984, #4 & [Lebanon], 10:45am 7 January 1984, #12, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  23. 23.

    ‘Explosion à proximité de l’ambassade de France: pas de victimes’, 12 January 1984, L’OLJ, p.1.

  24. 24.

    [Lebanon: a 90-day withdrawal scenario], 4 January 1984, Box 90929, RRPL, p.1.

  25. 25.

    ibid. p.2.

  26. 26.

    ibid. p.3.

  27. 27.

    [The Terrorist Threat to US Personnel in Beirut], 12 January 1984, #56234, CIA, pp.1–4.

  28. 28.

    Bernard Guetta, ‘L’opposition grandit au Congrès contre le maintien des troupes américaines au Liban’, Le Monde, 2 January 1983.

  29. 29.

    [NSPG Meeting on Next Steps in Lebanon], 3 January 1983, Box 45, RRPL, p.1.

  30. 30.

    [Rumsfeld Mission. Highlights of Asad Meeting January 13], 3:34am 14 January 1984, Cable #140348, Box 45, RRPL, pp.3–4.

  31. 31.

    [Non-Paper: Next Steps in Lebanon], 3 January 1984, Box 45, RRPL, p.3.

  32. 32.

    ibid. pp.3–4.

  33. 33.

    [Information support cable for January 4 1984], 12:16am 5 January 1984, Cable #0060025, Box 90929, RRPL, p.2.

  34. 34.

    ibid. p.2.

  35. 35.

    ibid.

  36. 36.

    ibid. p.6.

  37. 37.

    [Rumsfeld Mission. Highlights of Asad Meeting January 13], 3:34am 14 January 1984, Cable #140348, Box 45, RRPL, pp.3–4.

  38. 38.

    [Demarche to MNF Governments], 3:55am 15 January 1984, Cable #150500, Box 45, RRPL, p.4.

  39. 39.

    [Rumsfeld referred several times to risks of present situation], 3:34am 14 January 1984, Cable #140350, Box 45, RRPL, pp.2–3.

  40. 40.

    [Rumsfeld Mission], p.2.

  41. 41.

    ibid.

  42. 42.

    ‘“La présence syrienne au Liban constitue un atout stratégique pour Israël” déclare le chef d’état-major de l’armée israélienne’, Le Monde, 9 January 1984.

  43. 43.

    [Rumsfeld Mission. Discussions with the Syrians on TARPS Missions], 2:09 pm 15 January 1984, Cable #151515, Box 45, RRPL, pp.3–4.

  44. 44.

    ibid. p.3.

  45. 45.

    ibid. pp.1–2.

  46. 46.

    ibid. pp.3–4.

  47. 47.

    [Highlights of Asad Meeting January 13], p.3.

  48. 48.

    [Follow up Message for Syrians on TARPS], pp.2–3.

  49. 49.

    ‘La mission Rumsfeld Purement Exploratorie’, 29 January 1984, L’OLJ, p.1.

  50. 50.

    [Follow up Message for Syrians on TARPS], pp.3–4.

  51. 51.

    ibid. p.3.

  52. 52.

    ibid.

  53. 53.

    [Message to President Reagan], 12:50 pm 14 February 1984, #177, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  54. 54.

    [Lebanon], 8 February 1984, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  55. 55.

    [Demarche to MNF Governments], p.3.

  56. 56.

    [Rumsfeld Mission. British Options for expanded UN role in Lebanon], 2:55am 15 January 1984, Cable #150259, Box 45, RRPL, p.2.

  57. 57.

    [Interview with Defense Minister Arens on ABC Television], Israel Ministry of Defense Archives, Vol. 8: 1982–1984, #155, 19 February 1984.

  58. 58.

    [Statement by the Prime Minister’s bureau on the Israel-Lebanon Agreement], Israel Ministry of Defense Archives, Vol. 8: 1982–1984, #157, 5 March 1984.

  59. 59.

    [British Options for expanded UN role in Lebanon], p.2.

  60. 60.

    ibid.

  61. 61.

    [Lebanon], 16 February 1984, PM/84/29, p.1.

  62. 62.

    ‘M. Mitterrand: je n’exposerai pas au-delà de la nécessité la vie de nos soldats au Liban’, Le Monde, 14 February 1984 &‘Reagan: Donnons une change a la paix au Liban’, 27 January 1984, L’OLJ, p.1.

  63. 63.

    [Letter from Jumblatt and Chacra to Thatcher], pp.1–2.

  64. 64.

    [Demarche to MNF Governments], 3:55am 15 January 1984, Cable #150500, Box 45, RRPL, pp.2–3.

  65. 65.

    ibid. p.3.

  66. 66.

    ibid.

  67. 67.

    Avigdor Livni, ‘L’ Italia si ritira ma non abbandona i campi dei profughi’, La Repubblica, 9 February 1984 & ‘M. Mitterrand rappelle que la France n’est pas au service de l’un ou de l’autre parti dominant au Liban’, Le Monde, 9 February 1984.

  68. 68.

    [Secretary of State Communication], 3:55am 15 January 1984, Cable #150501, Box 45, RRPL, p.2.

  69. 69.

    ibid. p.3.

  70. 70.

    ibid. p.6.

  71. 71.

    ibid. p.5.

  72. 72.

    ibid. p.6 & Hallenbeck, p.170.

  73. 73.

    [Next Steps in Lebanon], 26 January 1984, Box 91834, RRPL, pp.1–2.

  74. 74.

    ibid. p.2.

  75. 75.

    [Preliminary Thinking on LAF Operation], 30 January 1984, Cable #29778, Box 91834, RRPL, pp.1–4.

  76. 76.

    [Strategy for Lebanon], 10 September 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, p.1.

  77. 77.

    [Preliminary Thinking on LAF Operation], p.6.

  78. 78.

    ibid. p.5.

  79. 79.

    Bernard Guetta, ‘M. Reagan nie que les États-Unis soient en train de “prendre la tangente”’, Le Monde, 24 February 1984.

  80. 80.

    [Secretary of State Communication Part II], 3:55am 15 January 1984, Cable #150501, Box 45, RRPL, pp.8–9.

  81. 81.

    [Next Steps in Lebanon], 1 February 1984, RRPL, p.1.

  82. 82.

    ibid. p.2.

  83. 83.

    [Rumsfeld Mission. Regional Support for Initiatives in Lebanon], 8:04am 14 January 1984, Cable #140812, Box 45, RRPL, pp.1–2.

  84. 84.

    ‘Gemayel souscrit aux huit points de l’arrangement seoudien’, 17 February 1984, L’OLJ, p.1.

  85. 85.

    Marius Deeb, ‘Syria’s Terrorist War on Lebanon and the Peace Process’, (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003), pp.94–100 & [Palestine Chronology December 1983–February 1984], Journal of Palestine Studies, Vol.13, No.3, 1984, p.235.

  86. 86.

    [Morberly to Thatcher], 2:10 pm 13 February 1984, #35, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, pp.1–2.

  87. 87.

    [Secretary of State Communication], 3:55am 15 January 1984, Cable #150501, Box 45, RRPL, p.2.

  88. 88.

    [Lebanon], 11:20am, 18 February 1984, #93, p.1 & [Lebanon], 7:25 pm, 18 February 1984, #587, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  89. 89.

    [Lebanon: The Next Steps], 2 February 1984, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, pp.1–3.

  90. 90.

    ibid.

  91. 91.

    ibid.

  92. 92.

    Joe Stork, ‘The War of the Camps, the War of the Hostages’, Middle East Research Report, MER133, Vol.15, June 1985, pp.3–22 & [My meetings with Jumblatt and the Shaykh Aklat Ba’Daran January 9], 3:11 pm 10 January 1984, Cable #101514, Box 45, RRPL, p.3.

  93. 93.

    ibid. pp.2–6.

  94. 94.

    [Lebanon], 5:00 pm 2 February 1984, Box 91834, RRPL, p.4.

  95. 95.

    [Lebanon and the Middle East Peace Process], 12:49am, 24 February 1984, #628, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.2,

  96. 96.

    [Lebanon: Situation Report as of 110500Z Feb 84.], 5:00am, 11 February 1984, Box 8, RRPL, pp.1–2.

  97. 97.

    [Lebanon], 9 February 1984, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, pp.1–2.

  98. 98.

    [Jumblatt and the Shaykh Aklat Ba’Daran January 9], p.3.

  99. 99.

    [Beirut Update], 10 February 1984, & [Lebanon: Situation Report as of 0400EST 10 Feb 84.], 4:00am, 10 February 1984, Box 8, RRPL, pp.1–2.

  100. 100.

    [Lebanon: MNF], 7 February 1984, pp.1–2 & [Lebanon], 9 February 1984, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, pp.1–2.

  101. 101.

    [Lebanon and the Middle East Peace Process], p.2.

  102. 102.

    [Lebanon] 16 February 1984, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  103. 103.

    ibid. p.2.

  104. 104.

    [Lebanon: Situation Report as of 120500Z Feb 84.], 5:00am, 12 February, Box 8, RRPL p.2.

  105. 105.

    ibid. p.1; [Lebanon: Situation Report as of 0400EST 10 Feb 84.], p.1 & [Lebanon: Situation Report as of 110500Z Feb 84.], pp.1–2.

  106. 106.

    [Situation as of 1700 EST 13 February 1984.], 5:00 pm, 12 February 1984, Box 8, RRPL, pp.1–2.

  107. 107.

    ibid. pp.1–2.

  108. 108.

    ‘In Libano Reagan sbaglia’, La Stampa, 20 February 1987.

  109. 109.

    [Lebanon MNF], 12:30 pm, 19 February 1984, #94, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  110. 110.

    S/16351, Rev.1 became S/16351, Rev.2 on the 28 February 1984, proposing the removal of all foreign forces and the authorizing of UNIFIL to re-establish security in Beirut and the Palestinian refugee camps. [UNIFIL and Lebanese Situation], 28 February 1984, S/16351, Rev.2, UNARMS, pp.1–2.

  111. 111.

    [Lebanon: UN Options], 1:15am, 28 February 1984, #204, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, pp.1–2.

  112. 112.

    [Lebanon: UN Options, French Draft Resolution], 1:35am, 28 February 1984, #205, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, pp.1–2.

  113. 113.

    [Lebanon Options], 10:15 pm, 17 February 1984, #177, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  114. 114.

    [Lebanon: French Initiative], 1:00am, 13 February 1984, #152, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.2.

  115. 115.

    [UN Force for Lebanon], 12:10 pm, 21 February 1984, #143, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, pp.1–2.

  116. 116.

    [Lebanon Options: French Views], 6:13 pm, 17 February 1984, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  117. 117.

    [Lebanon], pp.1–2.

  118. 118.

    [Situation as of 1700 EST 20 February 1984.], 5:00 pm, 20 February 1984, Box 8, RRPL, p.1.

  119. 119.

    Gaetano Scardocchia, ‘I cocci del Libano le ferite di Reagan’, La Repubblica, 21 February 1984 & ‘Les “Bersaglieri” et les “Marines” en instance de depart’, 19 February 1984, L’OLJ, p.1.

  120. 120.

    [Situation as of 1700 EST 18 February 1984.], 5:00 pm 18 February 1984, p.1; [Situation as of 1700 EST 19 February 1984.], 5:00 pm 19 February 1984, Box 8, RRPL, p.1 & FCO Restricted, [Lebanon: SITREP at 0900Z], 22 February 1984, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  121. 121.

    NSDD128, [Lebanon], 26 February 1984, RRPL, p.2

  122. 122.

    ibid. p.1

  123. 123.

    [Draft NSDD on Lebanon], 24 February 1984, Box 91834, RRPL, pp.2–3.

  124. 124.

    ‘Adoptant un ton tres dur a l’egard du regime d’assad: Reagan- Damas veut que le Liban devienne la Syrie’, 4 February 1984, L’OLJ, p.1.

  125. 125.

    ibid. p.3.

  126. 126.

    David Shipler, ‘Israel asserts it won’t renounce security accord with Lebanese’, NYT, 17 February, 1984, p.1.

  127. 127.

    [Statement by the Prime Minister’s bureau on the Israel-Lebanon Agreement].

  128. 128.

    ‘Israel asserts it won’t renounce security accord with Lebanese’, NYT, 17 February, 1984, p.1.

  129. 129.

    [Lebanon], 9:30am 20 February 1984, #138, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  130. 130.

    [Situation as of 1700 EST 17 February 1984.], 5:00 pm 17 February 1984, Box 8, RRPL, p.1.

  131. 131.

    [Situation as of 1700 EST 21 February 1984.], 5:00 pm, 21 February 1984, Box 8, RRPL, p.1.

  132. 132.

    ibid.

  133. 133.

    [Lebanon: UN Options], 1:34am, 25 February 1984, #202, PREM 19/1297, UKNA, p.1.

  134. 134.

    [NSC Meeting on the Middle East], 24 February 1984, Box 91834, RRPL, p.1.

  135. 135.

    George Shultz’s comments on Lebanon (Boston) in Bernard Gwertzman, ‘Washington Frustration’, NYT, 17 February 1984, p.1.

  136. 136.

    Giorgio Signorini, ‘L’ Egitto rientra in scena. Reagan, quanti errori in Libano’, La Repubblica, 24 March 1984.

  137. 137.

    [Information Support Cable for March 23 1984], 12:20am, 23 March 1984, Cable #0822353, Box 45, RRPL, pp.1–3.

  138. 138.

    ‘Vertice tra Assad e Gemayel oggi a Damasco’, La Repubblica, 19 April 1984.

  139. 139.

    Andrea Robilant, ‘Hussein e Mubarak da Reagan. I marines resteranno’, La Repubblica, 15 February 1984.

  140. 140.

    [Ronald Reagan’s Handwritten Notes], 9 April 1984, Box 91834, RRPL, p.1.

  141. 141.

    ibid. pp.4–7.

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  1. Institute of Digital Education Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Corrin Varady

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Varady, C. (2017). Leaving Through the Back Door: The Final Days of the US Intervention in Lebanon. In: US Foreign Policy and the Multinational Force in Lebanon. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53973-7_8

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