(4 of 4)
In Washington, Administration officials seemed resigned to the fact that Israel would retaliate. Still, said one, "the hope is that they won't do it in an indiscriminate way that will result in a lot of Lebanese civilian deaths. The thing we don't want is to have the emotional level raised to such a point that it will affect the already delicate negotiations that are going on." But President Carter sent Begin a message saying he was still looking forward to their meeting. "Criminal acts such as this," said the President in a statement, "advance no cause or political belief. They inspire only revulsion at the lack of respect for innocent human life."