U.S. ‘on Guard’ Against Terror Attacks Here

The Reagan Administration said today that it stands “on guard” against the possibility of terrorist attacks in America by Libyan suicide squads, and it called anew on allies to help put an economic squeeze on Libya.

As President Reagan met with foreign policy advisers, Administration officials continued to remain deliberately vague about what--if any--military steps will be taken in retaliation for the attacks by Palestinian terrorists at the Rome and Vienna airports last month.

“I think those who are responsible (for the attacks) and those who are actively involved should be kept guessing and not sleep well at night as far as what the United States government’s response will be,” said White House spokesman Larry Speakes.

The United States has accused Palestinian renegade Abu Nidal of masterminding the two airport attacks, in which 19 people died, including five Americans and four of the gunmen. Abu Nidal has been a frequent visitor to Libya, and Libyan leader Col. Moammar Kadafi’s government has supported his efforts, Speakes said.

Warns of Attacks in U.S.

In an unusual news conference Sunday, Kadafi, perched atop a tractor in a barley field outside Tripoli, warned that American retaliation against Libya for the airport attacks would be answered by attacks in the United States. (Story on Page 8.)

Speakes said today, “I won’t be specific on the information we have about that--potential terrorist activities in the United States--but assure you we take all threats seriously.

“We investigate all matters. We do remain on guard for these type incidents,” Speakes said.

European allies, many of whom buy oil from Libya, have rebuffed Administration proposals for economic sanctions against Libya. As recently as Friday, West Germany ruled out taking steps against Libya.

Playing down the reluctance of the allies to cooperate, Speakes said the United States had not made any specific request for action in recent days.

“We think that there is a growing realization of the threat that Kadafi poses to the world, to Europe, to the Middle East,” Speakes said.

“At the same time, we would think that our European allies would be more likely now than ever to join us in some sort of economic isolation of Libya. . . . “