DECLARING WEST BEIRUT AN INTERNATIONAL QUARANTINE ZONE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00443R000200850009-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 19, 2010
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: June 22, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP88B00443R000200850009-1
ai ShUREI
The Director of Central Intelligence
MEMORANDUM FOR: The President
The Vice President
Secretary of State
Secretary of Defense
Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs
SUBJECT: Declaring West Beirut an "International Quarantine Zone"
1. This week we need a step which will put steam behind our efforts to
get the hostages out and establish our purpose and resolution to our adversaries,
to other nations which are watching us, and to our own people.
2. There is one step which could be taken quickly and on our own
initiative. I believe it would strengthen our efforts to get the hostages
out, mobilize international involvement, and command popular support all
over the world.
3. The President would immediately declare West Beirut and its southern
suburbs as an "International Quarantine Zone." West Beirut and its southern
suburbs are not under the effective control of any recognized international
government and are thus outside the bounds of normal international intercourse
and law. In a public statement, West Beirut, controlled by the criminal
elements which have pirated our airship and seized and killed our citizens,
would be compared to the areas controlled by the Barbary pirates in the 18th
century.
4. The following specific steps could implement such a declaration:
- Initiate steps to halt all air traffic in and out of Beirut
International Airport. Express regrets but point out that
American hostages are being held by criminals who also control
the Beirut International Airport.
- The U.S. Sixth Fleet could be ordered to seal off West Beirut and
its southern suburbs from the sea, and declare no further commerce
by either air or water.
- Ask the Government of Lebanon to seal the border of West Beirut
to the east and south wherever possible.
- Send a special envoy to tell Assad that the U.S. Government knows
that the Syrian Army border checkpoints along those roads are
capable of stopping all traffic in and out of West Beirut and its
southern suburbs. Ask him to assist us in isolating the pirates.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP88B00443R000200850009-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP88B00443R000200850009-1
- Ask the Government of Israel to provide whatever support it can
offer to separate West Beirut and its southern suburbs from the
south.
Inform those American citizens, including the press, who remain
in West Beirut and its southern suburbs that their safety or the
safety of their families cannot be guaranteed and we are prepared
to help them leave immediately.
- Ask all surrounding countries--Lebanon, Syria, Israel--to cease
all commerce with West Beirut and its southern suburbs.
- These steps should be announced along with a declaration that
if the American hostages are not immediately released, further
actions against West Beirut and its southern suburbs will be
considered and taken as necessary.
- Announce that the Vice President is to convene a meeting of
senior West European officials during his upcoming trip to
seek support from our traditional allies in the isolation of
this den of criminals.
- Investigate the possibility of jamming or otherwise incapacitating
radios and telecommunication links between West Beirut and its
southern suburbs with the world.
5. For maximum and timely impact, the full program should be announced
together. Assad and Gemayel may demur or refuse to participate but they will
be hard put to resist or refuse cooperating with our efforts to protect our
citizens in an area in which Syria does not have sovereignty and over which the
Lebanese government has no control.
William J. Casey
2
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/27: CIA-RDP88B00443R000200850009-1