Word: assad
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...deployment of Syrian observers in all of Beirut." With the U.S. no longer playing a leading role in trying to end the car nage, Syria has increasing influence over its neighbor, largely due to the 25,000 Syrian troops stationed mostly in the eastern part of Lebanon. President Hafez Assad sought to extend that influence last month when Lebanese Muslim leaders, meeting in Damascus, drew up a 16-point plan that would increase their political power. Lebanese Christian politicians predictably denounced the Damascus accord, and new bickering broke out between them and Druze Chieftain Walid Jumblatt and Shi'ite Amal...
While some observers thought Assad was reacting to, rather than shaping last week's events, at least one Western diplomat saw a shrewd logic to the Syrian leader's actions. "Each time there is fighting the Syrians allow it to go on for a few days before stepping in and separating the combatants," he said. "And each time this happens, Lebanon seems to become more dependent on Damascus. Perhaps the Syrians are encouraging the fighting to achieve their larger goals...
Karami's call for deployment of Syrian troops throughout Beirut suggested that his government might be willing to trade an element of national sovereignty in exchange for some respite from the violence. Still, until Assad's objectives are more clearly defined or seem within reach, Lebanon is likely to remain divided against itself...
Despite Shultz's statement, that was never a very real hope. Apparently, neither Nabih Berri, leader of the Amal militia then holding the 39 TWA hostages, nor Syrian President Hafez Assad was able to deliver the seven. "They didn't have access to them," said one U.S. official last week. It also became clear to Washington that if the President insisted on the release of all 46, it would not even get the TWA 39. Said one U.S. official ruefully: "Sometimes policymakers have to decide on the greatest good for the greatest number...
...White House aide said that when Reagan called the Syrian President last week, the release of the seven abducted Americans was the top item on his agenda. Though Assad did not give Reagan much cause for hope, relatives of the seven were buoyed somewhat last week when Lebanese television, supplying Arabic subtitles, allowed them to plead on the air for the release of their loved ones...