LEBANON-SYRIA: AWN CHALLENGES ASSAD

Created: 4/7/1989

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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DIRECTORATEELUCENCE Ubtnon-SjiU: Awa Challenges Assadpril 1W9

will,lockedattle of

and remains the MfSSSteclM Buiynan Indent Assad and Syria's mftuiry presence in Lebanon "

educed Awn's

whom they can discuss

i ino longer consider. longer-term political future.

lo lift tbe blockade ai be has slaked most or all of bis political capital on the issue. Awn's tinyandfull of aging patrol boats-and bis few hebcopters and aircrafi have beeneffective enforcing tbe ports' closure. They have intercepted at least five ships, venturing as far north as Tripoli to interdict a

Lebanon's "illegal" forts

l^ebanon's

The emergence of several unofficial and Haa! pons hasver the yean. The fees

ll'ia-operaledports

percent below Lebanon's official port fees, and no customs duties are paid on goods entering these ports- The unofficial ports have deprived the stale of its principal source of revenue. Among the major "legalfy-operated ports Ihat Awn wishes to close are:

Fifth basin, Beirut. This Lebanese Forces-coniroiicd portion oftkbvt port is Lebanon's main illegal port, lis closure was one of Awn's primary goals in confronting ihe mOxtia in

Juniyah. This small, shallow Lebanese Fortes port servesransit point to Cyprus for travel-en who avoid lhe Beirut Airport.

tQmldai] This Druze port is the most active nonillegal port, ll cannot handle large ships, however, which required the militia to construct Al Jiyah.

ALJiyah. The Druze buili ihis container port and petroleum offloading facility. Both Druze ports have been affected by Awns blockade.

An NabialAwiaL This port is controlled by Amal and can handle container traffic ll has been shelled by ihe Chnstigns_and isey target of the blockade.

Ad Dttbayyah. Also under Lebanese Forces coalroL ihis von is under aoamionm^sWM

Lebanon's Muslim leaders-particularly Druze leader Walid Junblait and Amal Chief Nabih Bern are as adamant in Ibeir opposition to Awn's blockade as Awn is io continue it. Hiiballah has remained on the sidelines of the disagreement but strongly supports the Syrian position. The blockade deprives lhe Druze and Amal of important revenue and cut* them off from ihe outside world. Damascus and its Muslim alliei are detnanding thai ihc blockade be lifted as parteasefire. <MV

Awn has complicated the crisis by casting tbe current confrontationyrian-Lebanese conflict, putting Damascus's regional prestige on the line. In addition lo calling for the removal of Syrian troops from Lebanon he has accused Syria of supporting terrorists and trafficking in narcotics. Awn has angered Syrian leaders and eroded prospects forby publicly calling for the ouster of Reside ntAssad and-praising Iraq's role in

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Syria's Next Moves

Thc Syrians have an ainiosi unlimited capabilityscalate ihe military conflict. Syria's, direct involvemeni in ihe shelling shows Damascus's displeasure wiih Awn and portends its willingness lo heighten the pressure. Syrian fains initially only reacted lo Lebanese Army shelling, ihen began io shell East Beirul every evening, and now appear to be actively shelling, ihe Christians around Ibe dock. Syrian shelling ihus far has caused relaiively few casualties-step probably will be io raise lhc civilian and

copfOT

risAcriM

The Syrians almost certainly would use Lebanese partners toajor push on the enclave and to absorb many ot tbc initial casualties. Druze. Hizballah, and dissident Christian leader Elie Hubaiqa are ine most likely candidates, and all would be

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Original document.

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