August 29, 1983
We are shocked and grieved by the deaths of the U.S. marines in Lebanon. They died while
serving the United States in its efforts to help the Lebanese Central Government restore order to
the greater Beirut area. We condemn those who are responsible for the continuing violence, which
has claimed many victims, including our own marines. Our forces are there at the request of the
Government of Lebanon in helping to provide security for the Lebanese people. Once more we
call on all elements to end this senseless violence and unite behind the Lebanese Government to
restore national harmony.
The President was informed this morning at 1:55 a.m. Pacific time at the ranch by national
security adviser Bill Clark. This notification took place 1 hour and 6 minutes after the incident
occurred in Beirut. The President expressed profound sorrow, terming the death of two U.S.
marines as tragic. The President paid tribute to the courage of the marines in their role as
peacekeepers. The President will shortly speak by telephone to the families of the two marines,
expressing his and Mrs. Reagan's personal condolences and sorrow.
The President this morning has conferred by telephone with Secretary of State George Shultz and
Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, as well as Bill Clark. At the President's direction, a
national security group, composed of representatives of the departments and agencies most
involved in this matter, was convened in Washington this morning. The purpose was to review the
current situation in Beirut and to make additional recommendations on the U.S. role in continuing
to pursue the peaceful withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon.
The President directed a meeting of the administration's most senior officials be convened this
afternoon in Washington to continue the review. I would anticipate the President will confer with
the Vice President following that meeting.
In the Middle East, Ambassador McFarlane continues his mission. He is in Beirut today. His goal
is to negotiate with all groups in Lebanon to facilitate a peaceful withdrawal of all foreign forces.
The President has directed his staff to inform the congressional leadership and the chairmen and
ranking members of the Armed Services Committees and the Foreign Relations Committee
members on the situation.
Note: Deputy Press Secretary Larry M. Speakes read the statement concerning the death of
S/Sgt. Alexander M. Ortega and 2d Lt. Donald G. Losey at his daily press briefing in the briefing
facility in the Sheraton Santa Barbara Hotel in Santa Barbara, Calif.