(UNTITLED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R001300560001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 12, 2017
• Document Release Date: August 5, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 8, 1984
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/28: CIA-RDP85T00287R001300560001-8
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Middle East Situation Report #32
(as of 1100 EST, 8 February 1984)
LEBANON/SYRIA
the military situation in West Beirut is relatively quiet,
and anti-government militiamen have left the streets. In
East Beirut, the Presidential Palace at Baabda and the US
Ambassador's residence at Yarze are being heavily shelled.
-- The New Jersey is firing its 16-inch guns into the
mountains east of the capital. As of 1100 EST, over 175
sixteen-inch and at least 200 five-inch shells had been
fired at Syrian positions in the Matn region, reportedly
destroying a Syrian command post and killing a senior
Syrian military officer.
President Gemayel met with US Envoy
Rumsfeld and Ambassador Bartholomew today. Gemayel told them the
situation with the Army is critical; Shia and Sunni soldiers in
the units in West Beirut defected to the militias instead of
returning to their barracks. Gemayel mentioned resigning as one
of his options. He viewed naming a new prime minister as another
option, but he believed no Sunni Muslim would accept the job
unless the 17 May Withdrawal Accord were abrogated. Gemayel
floated the idea of appointing a Christian prime minister to head
an interim caretaker government.
-- Gemayel is probably not in a position to know exactly
what has happened to the Army units in West Beirut.
There are indications that General Tannous has reached an
agreement with Shia Amal leader Nabih Barri to permit the
6th Brigade to continue to perform security duties in
West Beirut.
LAF commander Tannous is responsible for 25X1
much of the current Muslim anger in the city because he has
directed the indiscriminate Army shellin of Muslim neighborhoods
in West Beirut and the southern suburbs.
General Tannous would like Gemayel to resign so he could take 25X1
power.
-- It is likely that Lebanese Forces Christian militia
artillery has participated extensive) in the shelling of
the southern suburbs and West Beirut.
Amal leader Barri has been recognized by Druze forces as the
political and combined-militia commander in West Beirut.
NEST, M#84-10065CX
25X1
25X1
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Our Embassy in Damascus reports that a delegation of Sunni
Muslim leaders met yesterday with Syrian President Assad. After
the meeting one of the delegates publicly announced conditions
for the formation of a new government in Lebanon, including
abrogation of 17 May Withdrawal Accord, evacuation of the MNF
from Beirut, and a "national unity government" composed of all
Lebanese parties.
-- The delegates added that dismantling of all militias must
be on the agenda of a new government so that the
factional war can be stopped.
-- Although the Sunni leaders so far have avoided publicly
backing the Amal-National Salvation Front coalition, they
probably seen no option but to support Syrian objectives
in Lebanon.
PERSIAN GULF
An anti-Khomeini demonstration is scheduled to occur in
Munich this Saturday, when Vice President Bush will be there.
Protest marks fifth anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
France was shot by a lone gunman in Paris this morning. The
envoy's condition is described as "very grave." 25X1
Iran has termed yesterday's murder of exiled General Oveisi 25X1
a "revolutionary execution" of "the butcher of Tehran." A caller
purporting to represent Islamic Jihad, a common cover name for
many pro-Iranian elements, has claimed responsibility for the
killing. 25X1
IRAN-IRAQ WAR
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diplomatic sources of our Interests 25X1
Section in Baghdad reveal substantial Iraqi preparations to
counter the expected Iranian offensive. Troop and tank
deployments have produced a substantial reinforcement of the
border north of the Basrah front. Iraqi officers have resumed
public boasting of past successes in the Persian Gulf, including 25X1
exaggerated references to strikes at the facilities on Khar
US diplomats have informed the Japanese of the rather 25X1
hostile Iraqi reaction to the lack of substantive results from
Deputy Foreign Minister Nakajima's recent visit to Tehran. Our
Interests Section in Baghdad suggests that a Japanese asset, such 25X1
as a tanker at Kharg or the petrochemical complex under
construction near Bandar-e Khomeini, could be a primary target in
any Iraqi move to escalate the war in the Persian Gulf.
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SUBJECT: Middle East Situation Report #32
(As of 1100 EST, 08 Feb 84)
NESA M#84-10065C x
DISTRIBUTION:
Cy 1 - DCI
Cy 2 - DDCI
Cy 3 - DCI/SA/IA
Cy 4 - DDI
Cy 5 - DDO/NE
Cy 6 - DDO/NE
Cy 7 - D DO/N E
Cy 8 - C/PES
Cy 9 - N IO/NESA
Cy 10,11,12,13 - CPAS/IMD/CB
Cy 14
Cy 15
Cy 16
Cy 17
Cy 18,19
Cy 20
Cy 21,22
Cy 23
Cy 24,25
DDI/NESA/AI&PG,
- CPAS/PDB (NID)
- CPAS/PDB-WATCH OFFICE
- OGI/IIC/TAB
- D/NESA
- NESA/PPS
- NESA/AI
- NESA/AI/L
- NESA/PG
- NESA/PG/I
8Feb84)
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/28: CIA-RDP85T00287R001300560001-8