Reagan’s Sanction Call Given a Cold Shoulder

Western European nations reacted negatively today to President Reagan’s call for economic sanctions against Libya for its alleged role in last month’s terrorist bombings at Rome and Vienna airports.

The Europeans’ coolness appeared to leave the United States alone in its determination to discipline Libya’s Col. Moammar Kadafi by shutting off trade with the North African Arab nation.

Special U.S. Envoy Stephen Ledogar briefed ambassadors of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels today, arguing that Washington has firm evidence that Libya was involved in the terrorist attacks. But he failed to persuade any of the nations to support Reagan’s proposals.

Curbs Called Ineffective

Most Western European nations expressed sympathy with Washington’s intention to punish international terrorism against innocent victims, but their officials declared that economic sanctions are simply not effective.

Privately, some diplomats complained that the United States has not established a clear-cut case against Kadafi--and that U.S. companies continue to trade with Libya through third-country corporations.

But the diplomats also admitted that Western European nations are not likely to antagonize, without overriding reasons, a country from which they import oil and with which they carry on a profitable trade.

Bonn Won’t Join

In Bonn, West German government officials said today that the country would not join President Reagan’s economic sanctions against Libya.

Government spokesman Friedhelm Ost declared that Bonn sympathizes with Reagan’s views, but he added:

“Past experience shows that sanctions, regardless of who imposes them, have never had the desired result and have often produced the opposite effect.”

The spokesman said there is evidence linking Libya to the attacks--in which 15 travelers, including five Americans, were killed--and that West Germany plans to consult with its allies on a possible joint response.

1,500 Germans in Libya

There are about 1,500 German citizens working in Libya, and the North African country is West Germany’s third-largest petroleum supplier after Britain and Nigeria. West German-Libyan trade runs to $2.8 billion annually.

In London, where the conservative government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has taken a hard line on terrorism, there was no support for the American sanctions.

Foreign Office officials said today that economic measures against other countries have had little impact and therefore are of little use.

“The prime minister remains as dedicated to stopping terrorism as anyone,” said an aide at 10 Downing St., “but it is a question of effectiveness.”

5,000 British Employees

Britain sells no military equipment to Libya, but it does conduct normal trade. An estimated 5,000 Britons work in Libya, many for the American oil companies, the Foreign Office said.

In Rome, officials reacted cautiously, with the Foreign Ministry declaring that Italy will reserve judgment until it confers with other members of the European Communities.

Italian officials indicated privately that Reagan had not presented any hard evidence at his news conference Tuesday linking Kadafi to the airport attacks.

Italy has the largest stake in Libya of any Western country.