Russia gives Libya words of comfort

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 6

Russia gives Libya words of comfort

NZPA-Reuter Moscow The Soviet Foreign Minister, Mr Eduard Shevardnadze, has talked of Soviet “sympathy and solidarity” with Tripoli, but he refrained from making direct pledges of help to Libya Mr Shevardnadze, speaking at the Kremlin yesterday, said a combination of Soviet actions, Libyan courage, and world condemnation of the United States had helped to contain dangers inherent in last week’s air strikes. "There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Soviet Union feels sympathy for and solidarity with those who uphold their right to independent and free development, and' who defend their national and human dignity.” Western diplomats said the cautious wording reflected Moscow’s reluctance to make specific promises to Colonel Gadaffi, a close but sometimes wayward ally whom Mr Shevardnadze did not mention by name. The diplomats said the phrasing signalled that, although Moscow might boost arms deliveries to Libya, it was unlikely to go further for fear of alienating moderate Arab States, which it has been wooing over the last year. He made no reference to Libyan statements that Tripoli was reviewing its foreign policy in direct contact with the Kremlin and its allies. In what some envoys viewed as a slight softening in the Soviet Union’s, harsh anti-United States

rhetoric of the last week, Mr Shevardnadze also said Moscow was ready to continue the dialogue with the United States begun last year. • Libya reported today that Soviet warships were calling at its ports for the first time since before the air raids. The official news agency said three ships of the Soviet squadron in the Mediterranean were visiting Libyan ports. It did not say which ports they were calling at. • The British Government is considering more action against Libyan nationals after announcing yesterday that 21 student organisers were to be expelled. The Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, told Parliament that the Government was reviewing the status of Libyan trainee pilots and aircraft engineers, said by officials to number around 250. A student pilot based at an air training school near Oxford was among the 21 detained by the police and ordered to be expelled by the Home Secretary, Mr Douglas Hurd, the Minister in charge of police and internal security. The trainee is alleged to have told Tripoli radio earlier this month that he was prepared to organise a suicide squad to mount attacks on United States targets. Mr Hurd said steps had been taken to ensure British-based trainees posed no threat either at airports or in the air. Public installations, including airports, have-

been on “Amber Alert” since last week’s air raids. In Tripoli the Libyan Information Minister, Mr Muhammad Sherif Uddin, said the expulsions were an act of racism and that his Government was still studying a response. Mr Sherif Uddin said “The 21 Libyans are only students. This is racism.” He said Mrs Thatcher was “a mere instrument of Reagan.” Mr Hurd said that the 21 had been organising student activities in support of Colonel Gadaffi. Pro-Gadaffi demonstrations have been held in Britain since last week’s raids. “I will not hesitate to use powers to deport other Libyan nationals if evidence is received of their involvement in activities which might endanger national security,” Mr Hurd said. There are 7000 Libyans in Britain, about 1800 of them students. They included Libyan nationals opposed to the Gadaffi Government, he said. • Libyan officials said today that American and West European journalists had to leave the country .immediately. The word came from junior Information Ministry officials at the Tripoli hotel where some 250 Western journalists are staying. The 8.8.C.’s correspondent in Tripoli, said an official had told him the move was in retaliation for the deportation orders issued by Britain. One official said Japanese and East bloc journalists were exempt from the expulsion order.