Ford hint at Libyan campaign of terror

Press, 21 July 1976, Page 8

Ford hint at Libyan campaign of terror

NZPA-Reuter

Washington

President Ford said yesterday that the United States had evidence that Libya, the most anti-Israeli regime in the Arab world, had taken steps that “might have stimulated” international terrorism.

He declined to give any details, but Administration officials believe that Libya is the single most important source for terrorist arms, money, and training. Mr Ford made his comments at a White House news conference upon being asked if he could confirm repeated reports that the Libyan leader. Colonel Gadaffi finances, plans, encourages, and serves as the central point of an international terrorist organisation and conspiracy. “We do know that the Libyan Government has, in many ways, done certain

things that might have stimulated terrorist activity, but I don’t think we ought to discuss any evidence we have that might prove or disprove that,” Mr Ford said.

Asked what he was doing about it, Mr Ford said the Administration was working at the United Nations with other Governments “to put forward a very strong antiterrorist effort ... to stop this kind of very unwarranted, unjustified action, and we will continue our efforts in that regard.” At various times, Libya’s

vast oil fortune has been reported to serve as the treasury for funds used to start the 15-month-old fighting in Lebanon airline hijackings, including the seizure of the Air France jet loaded with Israeli passengers that was taken to Uganda, and even an abortive assassination attempt against the United States Secretary of State (Dr Henry Kissinger). Some Western officials think Libya provides more than SUSIOOM a year to promote violence.