CONFIDENTIAL
Syrians are being helpful over this. The Israelis have brought in stringent new security measures in occupied South Lebanon which have further alienated the local population, adding to the problems of the Beirut Government which asked for a Security Council meeting on the subject. This opened late on The Lebanese seem 29 August and is acrimoniously continuing.
to understand the need for an outcome which the Americans can accept.
A rocket damaged our new Visa and Commercial Section in West Beirut during the night of 23/24 August, causing damage but no casualties. It appears that it was an opportunist act, part of a campaign to put pressure on foreign missions to pull out of West Beirut. It should be possible, through appropriate measures, to prevent a recurrence. We hope to re-open the Section as soon as we can be more confident about this.
8. Libya, latest shooting
The murder of Ali Jahour in London on 17 August, discovered on 20 August, renewed media attention, and the Libyans protested formally. The police are investigating, and there is no authoritative evidence that the Libyan regime is responsible, though this seems likely. The conditions of our hostages in Tripoli improved somewhat during August and several visits were allowed, including two by wives. There were reports on 29 August that the Libyans have decided to charge the hostages: we are checking these. This would be a serious development, but the Libyans can of course drop charges quickly if it suits them. Mr Ron Brown MP and his delegation were fully briefed in the FCO before leaving for Tripoli in late August. They are
We await details. reported to have seen Qadhafi late on 29 August.
9.
Iran/Iraq
Since 1 August there have been three Iraqi attacks on tankers in the Gulf and the Iranians have retaliated twice. No British ships or seamen were involved. There has been little activity on land and the agreement by both sides to refrain from attacks on civilian targets is holding. The Iraqis seem unlikely to reply to the UN Secretary-General's appeal of 29 June not to use chemical weapons, leaving the Iranians, who have replied positively, with the moral high ground. No fresh prospects for successful mediation have emerged. Two hi-jacks of Iranian aircraft in August ended uneventfully (no Britons were involved).
The release of the unarmed Kharg and Yarrow ships is proceeding as agreed. The Kharg will leave within 3-4 weeks, but the
The release Yarrow Ships will not be completed for some months.
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