U.S. Warns Syria to Expel All Terrorists

The State Department called on Syria today to expel all terrorists--including the Abu Nidal organization--from its territory and hinted at possible U.S. action.

In an indirect warning of possible U.S. countermeasures, State Department spokesman Bernard Kalb said, “Our policies (on counterterrorism) apply to those who perpetrate terrorism and to whichever states sponsor terrorism.”

Secretary of State George P. Shultz has said that the U.S. policy against states positively linked with terrorism leaves open the possibility of military and covert operations, if necessary, and that other forms of retaliation, including economic measures, also can be considered.

Syria, Kalb said, remains on the list of those countries officially accused by the United States of supporting international terrorism. The others are Libya and South Yemen.

The statement, said to have been approved at the highest levels of the department, said, “As long as Syria permits terrorists to move feely within Syria and those parts of Lebanon it controls, our serious concern remains.”