French police decided today to try and check practically all passengers and cargo leaving French airports. The new instructions were applied as from today to Japanese Airline planes and other major companies whatever their destination. Until now, French police searched only planes flying to “hot” areas such as the Middle East. The police also carried out checks when requested to do so by the individual companies.
The new security measures were adopted following the disclosure that none of the passengers aboard the Japanese Airline plane hijacked last Friday had been searched. A police spokesman said that only one passenger out of every six used to be searched. He explained that some 600 planes take off or land at Paris’ Orly Airport during the tourist season and that a more intensive search would have held up traffic. Orders for the new security measures were handed out by the government.
Japanese Airline officials today tentatively identified the Japanese terrorist aboard the plane as Ayato Miyawaza. They also said that the other hijackers were the Peralpa couple from Peru, and two Arabs, El Kubai and Akbar.
JAL officials told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the two Arabs bought their tickets on July 17 at a travel agency, “Allied Travels.” paying for their seats in cash. The Peruvian couple bought their seats on July 19 at the “Bedel” travel agency and also paid their fare in cash. Mrs. Peralpa was killed when hand grenades in her handbag exploded shortly after take off.
(See additional stories from UN and Europe on P.2.)
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