Airport alert — by some

Press, 27 July 1976, Page 1

Airport alert — by some

PA Wellington Reports that a West German terrorist group may be on its way to Australia are not worrying the New Zealand police. “From our present information no special police measures are required,” the director (crime) at national headquarters (DetectiveSuperintendent M. T. Churches) said yesterday. But security at the Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch airports has been increased after an Interpol report that six terrorists might be planning an attack on the former Israel Minister of Defence, General Moshe Dayan, who is on a lecture tour of Australia. The Wellington Airport chief security officer (Mr P. Keppel) said last evening that he had heard nothing from Interpol; nor had his Auckland and Christchurch counterparts.

"But we have taken note of the news reports and although our security is high all the time, we’ve stepped it up even more.” The Interpol report said the terrorists, five men and a woman, were last seen four days ago in Germany and were believed to be headed for Australia. If General Dayan is not their target there is the possibility that they may be taking a circuitous route to Montreal. There was a security alert at all Australian airports yesterday. International passengers at the Sydney and Melbourne airports reported delays of up to two hours as Customs and security officials made thorough baggage checks and screened immigrants. General Dayan is under heavy guard after facing a noisy demonstration by 1500 pro-Palestinian supporters as he arrived to give a lecture on the Middle East at the Sydney Town Hall last night.