Shultz Hints Use of Force Against Libya

Secretary of State George P. Shultz vowed today that the United States will bring an end to Libyan-sponsored terrorism and raised the possibility that this goal might be achieved by military force.

Shultz also told a news conference that Deputy Secretary John C. Whitehead will visit Europe next week to try to persuade the North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies to join the United States in imposing sanctions against Libya.

He said “force is not always the best means” to combat terrorism but added that “it may be necessary on occasion.” He noted that military force was used in the capture of the Achille Lauro hijackers last October.

Shultz acknowledged that the sanctions the United States has imposed against Libya this week won’t be sufficient to prevent future terrorist actions by Libya.

‘At End of the Road’

But he said they represent confirmation that the United States does not want to have anything to do with that government.

Shultz also said that with the embargo on all business dealings with Libya and the freezing of Libyan assets in the United States, “we are pretty much at the end of the road” in terms of non-lethal actions against Libya.

“We will take the action necessary to bring it (terrorism) to an end,” he said.

Shultz acknowledged that the European allies have provided scant support for the United States thus far but added that public opinion on the Continent is “moving” toward the U.S. view.

Referring to Libyan leader Col. Moammar Kadafi, Shultz said, “He is involved, he is a terrorist.

‘The Answer . . . Is No’

“When you see pictures of the mayhem in the Rome airport or the Vienna airport, if you want to deal with somebody who is involved in that . . . the President has come to the conclusion that the answer to that is no.”

“If it costs us a little bit initially, so be it. We don’t want to deal with him. I think the Europeans are going to have to look at that question very hard in their own interest.

“Europe is experiencing unfortunately quite a rash of terrorist acts, not all associated with Kadafi, but he’s undoubtedly behind a fair share.”

He added that there must be an “increasing feeling” in Europe that more decisive action against Kadafi must be taken.