U.S. Envoy Will Try to Change Bonn’s Mind on Libya Sanctions

U.S. Ambassador Richard R. Burt said Thursday that he will seek “meaningful consultations” with West German officials in an effort to get them to change their minds and support President Reagan’s call for economic sanctions against Libya.

In an unusual diplomatic maneuver, Burt called a press conference just 30 minutes after West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl met with reporters, repeating his view that economic sanctions are politically ineffective.

Burt seemed to be lecturing Kohl and leaders of other Western nations on their moral obligation to support the American position that Libya must be treated as an international outcast.

He issued a prepared statement citing the “continuing menace of Libyan-backed terrorism” and added that “it is absolutely essential for civilized nations to take a stand against those who murder women and children.”

‘More Vigorous Opposition’

Burt said the Reagan Administration is seeking “more vigorous opposition to international terrorism” from its allies. And in what could be interpreted as a refusal to accept the West German position, he said:

“We seek to promote a new consensus. . . . President Reagan has taken the decision needed to point the way. We look forward to detailed and meaningful consultations with the Federal Republic in the days to come.”

Earlier, Kohl had made it clear that the West German government will not support the U.S. sanctions against Libya. He said the United States must accept the fact that Bonn is taking a stand on the Libyan question that is different from Washington’s.

Still, Kohl said that his government has evidence of Libyan complicity in the Dec. 27 terrorist attacks on the airports in Rome and Vienna in which 15 travelers, including five Americans, were killed.

1,500 Germans in Libya

“I can well understand the reaction of the Americans,” he said, “but I ask them to understand that we have 1,500 Germans there (in Libya). When I became chancellor, I took an oath swearing to defend the interests of the German people. It is obvious that I must put German interests first, and when I do that, it can produce a difference of opinion.”

West Germany has significant trade ties with Libya, exporting machinery and importing oil.

Burt said there are “strong moral reasons” for taking action against Libya, which has “declared war on the civilized world.” And in what seemed to be implied criticism of America’s Western European allies, he added, “It is time the civilized world excommunicated Libya.”

Asked whether he had any hard evidence of Libyan complicity in the Dec. 27 terrorist attacks, Burt replied, “We will be providing information to the European governments in the course of our consultations.”

He admitted that the United States did not consult its European allies before announcing the sanctions but added: “In some cases, consultations can serve as an excuse for avoiding decisions. Sometimes, leadership requires that one get out ahead of opinion and lead it.”

Asked whether he was disappointed at the allies’ lack of support for sanctions, he said, “It’s too early. We hope to get the broadest possible cooperation. Ideally, we would like them to follow our example.”