The British media is playing one of its usual cynicla games. Attention on Lebanon is being concentrated on the fate of Terry Waite and a handful of western hostages. But the real crime in Lebanon is the assault being carried out against the Palestinians.
On our front page we give space to Rima Milhim, secretary of the General Union of Palestinian Students, to expl in the real situation around the Palestinian camps in But we also agree analysis of what is behind the assault on the Palestinians - which here. As we go to press Nabih Berri, head of the Shi'ite militia Amal, has announced a lifting of the siege of the camps - although the reality of that remains to be seen. Even if true however it is only forces in Lebanon have joined in on the side of the Palestinians. the Syrians, behind them the United States and Israel, the PLO remains as firm struggle is going to go on. the entire world must be alerted to the real crimes that are going on in Lebanon.
ALTHOUGH the siege is mainly being carried out by Amal it is completely organised by Syria. Syrian troops surround the camps in Beirut and the Syrian army is using T54 and T55 tanks to back up the attack.
Amal is simply doing the dirty work for syria to bring the PLO and the Palestinians to their knees and to be subservient to Syria. Amal has used questions such as the occupation of the Magdouce village in southern Lebanon as an excuse saying that if the PLO Amal will lift the siege. The PLO withdrew but Amal did not lift the siege. The camps are in fact being used as political hostages against the PLO.
The aim southern Lebanon.
The population Shatila are clearly being used as hostages to try to force the PLO to comply with Syrian demands. Amal is attacking the camps because they do not want the PLO reescalate the conflict with Israel. They claim to be hitting at the PLO leadership and those loyal to the PLO leadership.
But there are reports organisations in the camps that Amal is attacking all of them, and not hitting any particular group. Even the groups quite close to Syria politically have said this the siege is not going to end quickly. The food that went in a few days ago minimum. Aproximately one kilo of flour and half a kilo of milk per person was sent in. This food is estimated to last at the very most four or five days. No medical equipment was allowed in, and even those badly injured were not allowed to be evactuated.
Syria wants a position to be able to negotiate with the US and Israel on the future of the mid. dle east and wants total control over the PLO as part of this. Syria is clearly in complete contact with the US, negotiations. It is clear that Syria does not want the PLO in Lebanon.
The pressure from Israel is that of offering some joint Israeli southern Lebanon.
Palestinians to be driven away from the Israeli borders in return for backing Amal in Lebanon.
Amal has obviously something by the US to do this dirty work. For example help in the reestablishment of Lebanese state and their place in it. Amal has constantly indirect Israeli support. For example on Friday, simultaneously with Amal's bombardment of the camps, the Israelis were shelling the Palestinian Moreover, although the being held under siege by Amal, the Israelis have maintained constant Rashidiyeh camp.
What we are seeing in Lebanon is a war against the Palestinian people. everyone to come to our aid.
with we reproduce because other The drive of Amal and to smash the Palestinians and Never, That get out of there is to get the Palestinians out of Lne of Burj-al-Barajneh the back in Lebanon for fear it will lee because they are Palestinians, was the and there is some level of secret Syrian valle That means pushing for the been promised areas around the camps in south camps are naval blackade of We appeal to
Socialist Action 20 Feb 1987