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By MICHAEL ADAMS Beirut
'observers over the first report of the UN 'observers published on 'July 4 still echoes through Government circles in Beirut and the loyalist press. The climax was reached earlier this week. President Chamoun told the correspondent of the Daily Mail that he found it hard to give an opinion about the activities of the observers since 'they are doing absolutely nothing as far as I can see.' The President is quoted as saying 'they spend their time at the Beirut Aero, at the beaches and at the Cedars' (a favourite pleasure resort).
The Mail interview has not been repudiated, nor is there any sign amidst the loyalists of regret that the Head of the State should have expressed him- self (to put it as mildly as possible) with such bad taste. One Indian observer was injured when his jeep was blown up by a mine, having come under fire in penetrating into Lebanese territory where the Lebanon Government has not risked sending its own soldiers. To do the Government justice, the Minister who is in charge of liaison with the observer group did manifest some embarrassment when he was asked about the President's remarks next day. He refused to say whether he supported the President's viewpoint; and he effectively contradicted himself by saying that the group's activities are very limited, but that they are doing their job.
With the failure of the Government attempt to internationalise the Lebanon problem, attention is turned once more on to the domestic political situation. This continues to present as depressing an aspect as ever. It has never been easy to suggest a solution so long as the Government refused either to attempt to suppress the rebellion or to make way for a more popular regime. Whether or not it will prove necessary for the UN to take over the administration of the country until such time as the Lebanese show themselves equal to the responsibilities of self-government, it has long been plain that no single Lebanese exists who commands sufficient respect to deliver this country from its predicament.
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