Middle East: It Is Very, Very Serious

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Arafat talks about his troubles and his leadership

In Lebanon, the sword of violence always seems to be unsheathed and ready to strike. Two Israeli soldiers were killed last week when a bomb exploded as their truck rumbled along a highway in southern Lebanon. In downtown Beirut, Lebanese army soldiers battled Shi'ite Muslim militiamen after government police tried to evict Shi'ite squatters from an abandoned school. Seven people died, including two soldiers. In the Chouf Mountains southeast of Beirut, Druze villagers clashed with a Lebanese army patrol. The toll: two dead and 18 wounded. The last incident carried ominous implications since the Lebanese army is expected to guard the area when Israeli troops withdraw to more defensible positions, a move the Israelis are expected to make shortly.

Meanwhile, Palestine Liberation Organization Leader Yasser Arafat is still trying desperately to contain the revolt that broke out two months ago within Fatah, the P.L.O.'s dominant group. His charge that Syrian President Hafez Assad fanned the rebellion prompted Syria to expel Arafat last month. Although thousands of his fighters remain in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, Arafat has had to move his base of operations to Tunisia while trying to win support from Arab leaders and the Soviet Union. The P.L.O. leader could take little comfort in the news from Moscow last week. According to a TASS report, Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko suggested in effect that Arafat seek an accommodation with Assad. After touring P.L.O. camps in Tunisia last week, Arafat gave an interview to TIME Correspondent Roberto Suro. Excerpts:

On the rift within Fatah. It is very, very serious. As I told my fighters today, it is a case of Arab interference. Our bases in the Bekaa Valley are surrounded. The Libyan role is clear. [Libyan Leader] Muammar [Gaddafi] and his mass media are declaring that they are taking part in the attacks against our forces. The Syrians are saying they are not involved, but their moves make their role clear also. Their tanks and troops are blockading our bases.

On the chances of further clashes with Syrian troops. I don't want to fight, but I think there will be more battles. The Syrians are looking to push the dissenters into creating an alternative P.L.O. Unbelievable! This P.L.O. was created by the will and the sacrifices of the people. All its prestige, all its strength, cannot be undone by the decisions of any Arab government.

On Arab efforts to mediate the crisis. Through the Saudis and other Arabs, I made this point: Stop the clashes in the Bekaa Valley. If they do not arrive at an agreement with the Syrians, then Damascus should let us move our troops from the Bekaa to Tripoli [a port city on the Lebanese coast]. But I do not think the Syrians will allow us to withdraw.

On accusations that his leadership style is too imperious. I have been elected in a democratic manner. I am not here by virtue of a coup or the force of tanks. Any member can criticize me, but from within the organization, not from the outside.