Would Talk to Terrorists, Make No Concessions, Dukakis Says

Democratic presidential candidate Michael S. Dukakis said today that he would talk with terrorists holding hostages but would “never make concessions,” commenting one day after campaign rival Jesse Jackson criticized what he said was Dukakis’ view that “we should not negotiate with terrorists.”

Jackson set off the exchange Sunday when he said: “Every time a question comes up about terrorism, Mr. Dukakis says: ‘I’m against terrorism. . . . We should not negotiate with terrorists. . . . ‘ (Story, Page 14.)

“I disagree with that; if I could get the (Middle East) hostages out, I’d do it.”

Dukakis, in Pennsylvania, told reporters today after being asked about Jackson’s statement: “I think we need a tough anti-terrorist policy. . . . I don’t have a problem with talking, but you never make concessions to terrorists--ever. If you do, what you end up with is hostage-taking and terrorism all over the world.”

Jackson, asked today about negotiating with terrorists, said he would not make “material concessions” to them but could conceive of situations in which he would grant hostage-takers safe passage.

“I would never exchange arms for hostages,” he said, a reference to the Iran-Contra operations steered by Reagan Administration officials.