The World : Terror Acts Foiled: Casey

A worldwide “counterterrorist network” aborted 80 “terror operations” that were under way earlier this year, William J. Casey, director of the CIA, told Time magazine in an interview. He also said that a number of countries provided help and information in the capture of the Achille Lauro hijackers but declined to name them. Casey said about 50 major terrorist organizations operate as mercenaries for hire by various nations, although Iran and Libya maintain their own “apparatus.” On Soviet intelligence, Casey said he “wouldn’t mark it very high.” He said that in the last three years, the Soviets have lost 200 of their intelligence officers, arrested or expelled from 20 to 25 countries.