An administration spokesman said last night that the US government was committed to combatting international terrorism by bringing together the combined efforts of the world community–its governments, law enforcement agencies and citizens–“to prevent any safe havens for terrorists throughout the world and especially to provide for extradition or punishment of guilty parties.”
“Terrorist acts of violence and anarchy anywhere in the world must be stopped decisively,” declared Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Eugene T. Rossides addressing the national officer installation of Bnai Zion, the Zionist fraternal order. Rossides stressed that “If terrorism succeeds in one instance, then the price goes up in the next instance.”
He said that “the tragedy at Tel Aviv’s Lod Airport, the murders in Munich and the sending of bombs through the mail obviously command headlines, but what should not be overlooked, particularly by those who resort to terrorist activities, is that substantial progress is being made by the world community toward containing these threats.” He noted that in the aftermath of the Munich killings the US moved swiftly to tighten security in this country.
SPECIAL SECURITY FORCE CREATED
Other immediate measures taken, Rossides said was the tightening of security at Israeli and other foreign missions and the establishment of a high level intelligence committee under State Department direction, to establish special relations with the intelligence groups of friendly nations for the exchange of information about terrorists.
Observing that the US Customs Service intercepted three letter bombs addressed to Israeli officials in New York last week, Rossides said the US Treasury Department has created a semi-Permanent force of 1300 Customs Security Officers to protect against aerial hijacking and other forms of terrorism at airports by thorough pre-flight screening of airline passengers and as guards aboard planes in flight. Rossides said US diplomacy was working for agreement within the world community so that no nation will offer sanctuary to skyjackers. The meeting paid tribute to the 11 slain Israeli Olympians. Harold Bernstein was installed as president of Bnai Zion.
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