Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky described the Israel surprise action to free more than 100 hostages from hijackers at Entebbe Airport in Uganda as an “act of self-defense.” The Chancellor said the “right for self-defense” which is recognized in all systems of law should also be accepted in international law to fight terrorist acts.
Kreisky said there are only two methods to fight terrorism: one is to carry out counter-terrorist acts. “However, these actions may cause many victims, as the outcome is always uncertain.” The other, he said, is to negotiate with the terrorists in an effort to free all hostages. Kreisky said it was a matter for jurists to investigate whether the sovereignty of any country was violated by the Israeli action.
He added, however, that the latest terrorist hijacking action had no influence in the attitude of his government to grant permission for the opening of an information office of the Palestine Liberation Organization. He said “It seems that the PLO had nothing to do with the hijacking of the Air France plane.”
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