E.E.C. to look at sanctions

Press, 21 April 1986, Page 6

E.E.C. to look at sanctions

NZPA-AFP Brussels Proposals for graduated sanctions against four categories of countries backing terrorism will be discussed by the 12 European Economic Community Foreign Ministers in Luxemburg today.

Countries in the lowest category would be those passively supporting terrorism. Several governments advocate classing Libya in the top category — for countries taking part in terrorism. Diplomats at the E.E.C.’s headquarters in Brussels said the proposed plan suggested breaking off diplomatic relations with Tripoli and freezing Libyan assets in Europe. But they doubted the 12 governments could agree to that. France contends that such decisions should be left to each government.

Greece says it has not yet been proven that Libya was responsible for the recent bombings of a American airliner and a West Berlin discotheque. Countries in the “passive support” category would merely have the

movements of their diplomats restricted. Countries implicated more directly could be obliged to reduce the number of their diplomats in Europe and might be subject to an arms embargo and sanctions on air and maritime transport. A break with Libya would have economic repercussions, especially for West Germany, which gets one-third of its oil from there, and for Britain.

The Community’s annual imports from Libya total SUSIO.6 billion ($19.29 billion) (mostly oil and natural gas), and E.E.C. exports to Libya total SUS3.S billion ($6.37 billion).

At least 20,000 Europeans live in Libya. They might be at risk in case relations were broken off.

Although Arab countries had reacted mildly to the British-backed American air attack on Libya, E.E.C. sanctions against Libya might contribute to relations between Europe and other Arab countries deteriorating, diplomats said.