Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter 32
Oct 28th – Fighting has now engulfed the luxury hotels, embassies and
parliament and the mass exodus by most foreigners is continuing. Most Americans
going to Athens, Greece. The U.S. Ambassador “McMurtrie Godley” said he delayed
the evacuation orders because he didn’t want to let the Lebanese government down
by ordering the Americans to leave earlier. United States Marines at the embassy
are in full battle dress and fully armed and ready to defend their territory.
International news reports say the Christians are loosing ground in this new
fighting whereas the Muslim leftists have occupied high ground above the Phalange
territory. The reporters trapped inside the “Saint George Hotel” watch as the
fighting escalates beyond control by anyone – it is war at its best.
Christian militia occupy the Saint George and the Holiday Inn – most guests have
left the country – the United State embassy moves the flag to the hotel – it is noted
(international press) that the PLO and its Muslims partners now control most of high
locations in the city.
The member of the Parliament that did show up today, are assisted by the
Security Force in an organized evacuation. The PM calls for a special council of all
factions to end the violence.
More barricades are put up throughout the city, fighting is sporadic but deadly
as the various groups roam the streets, leftists, rightists , Christians, Muslims and
the PLO looking to kill each other – and the hospitals are filled with the wounded,
mostly civilians trying to survive the madness.
75 are reported killed today.
Oct 29th – The fighting shifts to concentrate on the luxury hotels and area still
controlled by the Christian forces, but the move is on by the leftists to gain control –
in the meantime Lebanese Security forces drive armored cars through the fighting
in attempts to rescue the foreigners caught in the middle. They evacuate some in
the Holiday Inn and the Phoenicia Hotel, but many are still trapped at each.
The Holiday Inn, Phoenicia and Saint George come under heavy attack by the
Muslim leftists, whereas 100 Americans gather at the Riviera Hotel (the US Embassy
has move the flag to this hotel) as their first step in their evacuation to Greece.
They are leaving with the clothes on their back.
The exodus numbers are increasing by the hour – almost unmanageable.
Over 100 have been reported killed this day, numbers or wounded are not noted,
and it is also noted that the hospitals have little or no supplies.
Oct 30th – The intense fighting is still centered around the luxury hotels, the
Phalange still hold the Holiday Inn, where they are withstanding heavy and frequent
attacks by the Muslims. And the Muslims still occupy the “unfinished” Mour
building.
People move around the city as if they were walking on glass (which in most
cases they are) one reporter “Phil Caputo” (Chicago Tribune) was shot by the
leftists said it is a madhouse (he recovered fully) and wonders what will happen if
the Muslims gain control over Lebanon. Other Muslims, like Yemen students and
Arabs from other countries are flooding the airport in their rush to leave.
It is now reported with urgency that the hospital are out of medicine and really
can’t treat anymore.
The PM of Lebanon says he’ll quit if the latest cease-fire doesn’t work.
United Nations Secretary General “Kurt Waldheim” is deeply concerned over the
possible international consequences over the situation, especially with Israel
watching to see if Lebanon becomes a Muslim-controlled state where PM Itzhak
Rabin has said, “if this happens the forces in Lebanon will present a serious security
threat to Israel”. Other people agree noting that Syrian troops on the Lebanese
border would create a large threat to Israel. There are no indications of a large
buildup of forces in Israel – yet! Israeli Defense Minister Shimon Peres has visited
the border and said the situation is serious and made mention that Israel had hoped
to do business with Lebanon.
All but essential U.S. personnel have been evacuated, and now the United States
feels that the PLO has seriously upset the balance between the Christians and
Muslims, and note that the Syrian desire to calm the situation is genuine, but the
U.S. says if its military gets involved Israel would step in – so the United States can
only urge restraint.
The government declares its 10th cease-fire, to no avail. As the attacking Muslim
militias thirst after the control of the luxury hotels in the heart of Beirut.
In the midst of all this a fire breaks out at the Phoenicia International Hotel, as
armored cars make almost fruitless attempts to evacuate guests. And at the Saint
George Hotel there are more gunmen than guests, instead of a doorman there is a
machinegun nest and roadblocks on each side of its entrance – weary Christian
gunmen sleep in the lobby – they like their counterparts now that position is
everything in downtown Beirut, and right not the Christians are losing control of the
area to the Muslims.
Lebanon Security forces are unable to evacuate any more foreigners so it falls
the U.S. embassy limousine who takes some, including a reporter to safety. Most
Americans now at airport waiting for planes to spirit them away from the fury of
Beirut.
The 3rd American in 8-days is kidnapped by the Muslims, a civilian pilot by the
name of “Herman Clyde Huddleston” is taken from his apartment, where his
kidnappers accuse him of being involved in the civil war.
Phalange troops attack the “Kantari” section Beirut a Muslim area, as each
faction tries to capture of much as the city they can.
30 are killed today in the country of Lebanon in a war that seems will never end.
Oct 31st – Another cease-fire is announced, number eleven and it is noted that
during the last one 30 were killed and 70 were wounded.
The Phalange occupy the large hotels and the Muslim leftist up on the hill,
people are walking the streets in the relative calm shaking their heads at the
destruction to their city – it is noted that the U.S. embassy has even taken a few
shells. Shoppers converge on one area of the city during lulls in fighting,
government security forces patrol safe streets and they haven’t been used to stop
fighting as it is feared they will split and join their respective sects. Government
inoculation centers have been setup, with long lines of people waiting for their shots
– in hopes that if disease runs rampant they will be protected – and some fierce
fighting starts on “Clemenceau Saint” where Christians, Muslims and Foreigners all
live.
President Anwar Sadat puts in his two cents by announcing it would be a disaster
for any foreign power to step in at this time, going on to say he has had his
differences with the Palestinians, but he supports them.
Beirut on this last day in October 1975 is a mess.
Nov 2nd – The two Americans kidnapped 11-days ago by the “Popular Front the
Liberation of Palestine” send out ransom demands the negotiations are underway
for Charles Gallagher and William Dykes.
The government tries to patch together another cease-fire, this time getting the
Muslims to move back from some Luxury hotels.
The Marxists, Palestinians, Muslims and a few others are on the “left” side,
although they out numbered the right (Christians) they lack the education and
discipline of the right. Most of the street fighters (on the left) call this war a class
war, whereas most left areas are mostly poor – when reporter travels with a
representative of the Palestinian Rejection Front to one of these areas, he is treated
with abject hostility.
Nov 3rd – Merchandise is sold on streets as most stores are either closed are
abandoned, the mass exodus from country continues especially the American firms
and their Lebanese employees. Most agree that Lebanon has descended into
anarchy and out-of-control civil war.
In the USA President Ford has stated that the PLO must recognize Israel before it
is allowed to join in Middle East peace talks – President Anwar Sadat says he hopes
that President Ford will change his mind on this condition – USA threatens to pull
out of the United Nations International Labor Organization because it admitted the
PLO as an observer.
Nov 4th – Shaky cease-fire in Beirut – Muslims and Christians in hotel district have
withdrawn from strongholds.
Nov 6th – Cease-fire still holding – fighting breaks out in Jounieh after weapons
arrive by ship for the Phalange – Premier Karami, who is Muslim, issues order to
stop unloading but they are ignored by the Christians.
November 10th - Cardinal Bertoli, an emissary of Pope Paul VI arrives in Beirut
presenting a papal message calling for all leaders to work on restoring peace.
Nov 13th – Both Christians and Muslims kidnap 140 persons in 24-hours – Cease-
fire is threatened. Lebanese Army commandos kill 2-Palestinians guerrillas for
trying to attack plane at airport.
Nov 14th – Israeli troops withdraw from Ras Sudar oil fields
Nov 15th – two bombs explode on Israeli-occupied west bank of Jordan – 2
wounded
Nov 16th - President Frangieh and Prime Minister Karami “studied” the
political reform and the secularization of pubic services. The Prime Minister presents
a plan to redress the economy and to “curb” unemployment. He claimed religious
equity in the parliamentary representation and a complete secularization of public
service. The government decided to create a “shock squad” in charge of re-
establishing security in Lebanon.
Nov 18th – 11 are killed in Beirut fighting.
Syria to extend UN buffer force mandate in Golan Heights
Nov 19th – PLO say anti-aircraft fire drove off 4-Isreali jets from outside of Beirut,
fighting continues in some parts of city.
Muslim create slaughterhouse in some parts of city, they report that there will be
no peace until the Christians share wealth and political power with the Muslims.
Nov 20th – 18 reported killed in Beirut street battles
Nov 21st – 20 killed in streets, PLO backed Muslims still have the advantage in
the streets. Noted that Israeli Air Force have flown over Beirut for the last 3-days.
Three Israeli soldier-students killed and 2 others wounded in PLO raid in Golan
Heights – 3 guerrillas slipped into (Ramat Magshimin) Jewish religious school after
dark, the raiders ordered one of them (the survivor) to go back to Syria with them,
he ran and escaped. Israeli spokesperson said the raid was made under an
agreement with Syria and their armed forces.
Nov 24th – 100 have died in Beirut street fighting that started on the 21 st – Many
vital services are no longer available, education impossible, over 3,600 shops have
closed and countless businesses destroyed and it estimated that over 200,000
people have left the country.
The Lebanese “National Reconciliation Committee” breaks up after two key-
members fail to attend, the meeting for the 13th cease-fire in Beirut collapses, and
fighting resumes.
Nov 25th – International news reports that the Leftist force wants social
revolution and the complete control of the western part of city – were now the
Christians occupy the center, gunmen on both sides were masks, and the Muslims
scream that the Christians are the “privileged class” despite being the minority,
such as it is a conflict between the rich and the poor. Another truce is destroyed.
Nov 26th - Kurt Waldheim, Secretary General of the United Nations visits
Lebanon for a “few hours” and declares that the “LEBANESE THEMSELVES HELD
THE SOLUTION TO THE LEBANESE CRISIS”, strange considering the history of events
leading to the crisis – don’t you think?
It is believed that if “partitioning” happens in Lebanon, Muslim Syria will
intervene which in turn would cause Israel to do the same. In Moscow news short is
showing that the USSR sees a chance of moving in also.
The shaky at best 3-week cease-fire falls apart, and the bulk of 15 that die daily
are mostly by indiscriminate snipers.
As 1975 drew to a close, it was very evident that no side had a clear decisive
military advantage, although it was generally acknowledged that the “Lebanese
Front (right)” had done less well than expected against the disorganized “Lebanese
National Movement (left)”.
The political hierarchy still was incapable of maintaining the peace, except for
occasional short-lived cease-fires. As usual, reform was “discussed” but due to the
nature of the persons participating in the discussions, little headway was made
toward any significant improvements.
Syria, which was deeply concerned about the flow of events, also proved
powerless to enforce calm through diplomatic means --- in the end providing as
much to the ongoing violence as anyone.
And, through all of this, the end of the year the Lebanese Army (which had
mostly stayed a distance from the action) was beginning to show signs of
factionalizing and threatened to bring its heavy weapons into the conflict