U.S. Lists Soviet Support of PLO As Factor in Its Focus on Issue of International Terrorism

–The Reagan Administration today listed Soviet backing of the Palestine Liberation Organization as the first of several factors that form the basis for the U.S. making “international terrorism” a priority concern in the foreign policy it is developing.

While denying that he was “whipping up anti-Soviet feeling, “State Department spokesman William Dyess lashed out in detail against the Soviet’s alleged practices in elaborating on Secretary of State Alexander Haig’s statement yesterday in which he appeared to put the Reagan Administration’s opposition to terrorism ahead of activity for the U.S. human rights program set up by President Carter.

CITES SEVERAL ASPECTS

“The Secretary had several aspects in mind” about Soviet actions, including “provision of financial support, training and arms to groups such as the PLO whose members have been often engaged in acts of terrorism,” Dyess said. He said that Haig also “has in mind” the Soviet

In addition, Dyess said, the Secretary’s views include Soviet “propaganda and material support for what the Soviets refer to as ‘national liberation movements,’ some of which use terrorism to forward their objectives.”

Dyess, who made his extensive remarks about the Soviets in response to questions, refused to respond, however, when asked if the PLO was a terrorist organization. Haig has described it as an “umbrella organization” for various elements including terrorists while Reagan has characterized it as terrorist.

OTHER RELATED DEVELOPMENTS

The Dyess statements about Soviet actions came against the background of two other developments involving the PLO. The Office of Management and Budget(OMB) was reported today to have proposed the steepest reduction of U.S. foreign aid since the program was begun after World War II. One of the reported proposals calls for U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) because of its “pro-PLO policies and its support for measures limiting the free flow of information.”

At the some time, it was indicated that military and economic assistance for Israel and Egypt would be continued as in the past year. At the OMB, officials resolutely refused to discuss the reports but did not deny them. Haig will meet tomorrow with Reagan’s Budget Director, David Stockman, to discuss the program. Stockman’s proposals call for cutting the 1982 foreign aid program proposed by President Carter to Congress by the amount of $2.6billion to the level of $5.4 billion.

CAUTIOUS STATEMENTS ON ISRAEL, WEST BANK

In another development, Dyess was asked about Israel’s air strikes today at PLO bases in south Lebanon following the rocket shelling of two Israeli border towns. Asked to comment, Dyess said: “Obviously, we are concerned about violence across the Israel-Lebanese border but our concern does not necessarily mean we can do something about it or that we should immediately comment with pronouncements as soon as something occurs.”

He added, “This is a tragic situation and if we can do anything helpful to reduce the level of violence, then we will do it.”

In connection with his comments on international terrorism and the Soviet view of liberation movements, Dyess was asked if he considered the West Bank and Gaza to be occupied territories. “I’m not going to get into that,” he replied, noting that “We are engaged in reviews of policies around the world. We are not going to address specifics until we have a chance to complete the review.”

When Dyess was asked if “the West Bank people are fighting what they believe to be an invasion of their country by Israel,” he replied, “I’m not going to characterize the situation on the West Bank.” The question had been asked in the context of his remarks about Afghanistan. The State Department Spokesman observed that the West Bank situation is “a far more complex matter.”