As violence continued in strife-torn Lebanon, relations between the UN force stationed in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Christian militia commanded by Major Saad Haddad, supported by Israel, worsened. In April Haddad opposed a UNIFIL demand to permit the stationing of a Lebanese army battalion in the enclave controlled by him. Haddad suspected the presence of pro-Syrian and pro-PLO elements in that battalion. Secretary General Waldheim addressed a note to Prime Minister Begin charging Israel with standing behind Haddad's refusal to allow the move to the south of the Lebanese battalion. Following is the text of Mr. Begin's reply:
Dear Mr. Secretary General,
I thank you for your communication of April 15, conveyed to me through Ambassador Blum, which I read with great attention. My briefly delayed reply is occasioned by our Pessach festival just ended.
Meanwhile, the Government of Israel considered the situation. I was empowered by the government to inform the United States ambassador in Israel of our unreserved agreement to the deployment of the Lebanese battalion in accordance with the plan which the ambassador had presented to us. We made it clear that the security zone under the control of Major Hadad and his compatriots will in no way be impaired. This decision, in both its parts, was accepted by the U.S. ambassador.
I must, in all candor, take exception, Mr. Secretary General, to the passage in your communication which states: "That move is now opposed with threats of violence both to the Lebanese army and to UNIFIL by Major Hadad, whose position is apparently supported by the Israeli government." The Government of Israel has never at any time supported "threats of violence" by Major Hadad. I wish to make it absolutely clear that whilst we do exercise influence we are not in a position to issue orders to Major Hadad.
There is, therefore, absolutely no basis for the assumption that Israel is to be held responsible for the decisions or actions taken by the militias or their leaders.
What Israel has done is to save the Christian minority from the threat of physical annihilation at the hands of the Syrian army of occupation and those professional killers, the so-called PLO. This is the reality. It is so transparent that I sometimes wonder why the United Nations Organization, which adopted the convention of the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, has not itself taken the measures necessary to prevent a religious minority in the Middle East from being physically wiped out. That minority, its men, women and children, has been the target of endless attack by tanks and heavy artillery which have repeatedly shelled Christian villages, quarters and homes, resulting in a terrible and widespread loss of innocent civilian life.
I must also draw your attention, Mr. Secretary General, to the fact that since UNIFIL was deployed in Lebanon twenty-one of its personnel have been killed by the fire of the so-called PLO. I understand that this truth is not widely known, but fact it is, and it warrants the attention of all U.N. members.
The government of Israel wants peace in and with Lebanon. For this purpose we have, and will continue to make all endeavors possible.
Yours sincerely,
Menachem Begin