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Korean Plane Incident, September 1983 (2)
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Korean Plane Incident, September 1983 (2)
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Records of the White House Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Reagan Administration)
Michael Deaver's Subject Files
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual
collections.
Collection: Deaver, Michael
Folder Title: Korean Plane Incident (2)
September 1983
Box: 45
To see more digitized collections
visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories
visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives
Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
Foreign Media
SPECIAL
REPORT
Reaction
September 3, 1983
DOWNING OF SOUTH KOREAN PLANE BY USSR - II
Summary
Second day media coverage of the Soviet attack on the South Korean passenger
about the facts of the case in response to the Soviet claim the plane was
jet emphasized President Reagan's statement that the Kremlin was lying
on a spy mission.
The attack was condemned in most of the world's media in extensive and
movement. Conservative De Telegraaf of Amsterdam said the incident "will
impassioned comment. Many saw it as "a slap in the face" to the peace
further open the eyes of the friends of peace who have trouble imagining
that they can immediately grasp the hand of those friendly Soviets who are
just as afraid as we are."
The Soviet claim was received wryly by many media observers. Paris'
conservative Quotidien, for example, noted that "this plane filled with
sleepy people was, according to TASS, conducting intelligence
operations
Nobody is fooled."
The independent Times of London judged the President's statement as his
"toughest anti-Soviet remarks since coming to office. Papers in many
countries ran interviews with key government officials expressing shock.
Some speculated as to what level the order to down the airliner was given.
A number thought it was "a local decision." Tokyo's moderate Yomiuri said,
"If so, we have a frightening situation.'
Others such as the Frankfurter Rundschau suggested that the attack
reflected "not only the evil character of the Soviets but the fatal
automatism of the mechanism of reaction
The persons responsible reacted
like mechanical robots
"
Many writers worried about the state of East-West relations in the wake of
the tragedy. Dublin's liberal Irish Press said that "relations between
Moscow and Washington were bad enough. This will make them worse."
United States Information Agency
WESTERN EUROPE
BRITAIN
President Reagan's Statement and Soviet Spy Plan Charge
President Reagan's anger and statement that the downing of the South Korean
passenger plane was "a terrorist act" and that the Soviet charge that the
KAL Boeing was a spy plane was a lie, dominated heavy coverage of the
incident in today's media.
"Kremlin Has Twisted Facts"
London headlines today said "U.S. Accuses Russia of Terrorism and Lies--A
Spy Plane, Says Moscow, " "Angry Reagan Sends AWACS and F-15s to Search
Area" and "Punishment Call at U.N. by Seoul" (Times), "Moscow Admits 'We
Fired Tracer Shots, "Kremlin Has Twisted Facts--Reagan" and "TASS Regrets
Air Deaths But Claims U.S., to Blame" (Guardian), "Russia Admits Shots at
Jet--Reagan Sees Advisers on Retaliation for 'Atrocity, "U. S. Revulsion
and Dismay Over Russian 'Infamy'' and "Kremlin Claims Intrusion Was
'Pre-planned Act'' (Daily Telegraph), "Was Andropov the Target?" (Daily
Mail), "Shot Down Jet on Spy Mission Claims Kremlin" and "Lies! Reagan
Rages at Kremlin" (Daily Express).
"President Reagan's Toughest Remarks Since Taking Office"
The Times' Moscow correspondent today reported, "The Soviet Union yesterday
=
said the South Korean airliner was being used as a spy plane
The paper's Washington correspondent Nicholas Ashford wrote today, "In his
toughest anti-Soviet remarks since coming to office, President Reagan
yesterday accused the Soviet Union of telling flagrant lies about the
Korean airline disaster and cast doubts about Moscow's credibility in
future arms reduction negotiations
"The President's statement came amid growing speculation that the order to
shoot the airliner down had been taken at the highest level in Moscow and
"
not by a junior regional commander
In an editorial today, the paper said, "The U.S. Administration is under
strong public pressure to retaliate
But it is better to avoid
over-reaction in the heat of the moment
"Arms control talks must continue since an even higher interest is
involved
"
USIA/P/R
2
9/3/83
"Closest Soviets Will Come to Apology"
Today's liberal Guardian ran a report that "the Kremlin late yesterday
afternoon issued the closest it may come to an apology for 'the leading
circles in the Soviet Union' for the loss of human life which had occurred
after the destruction of South Korea's jumbo jet.
"But the same statement distributed by TASS also accused the United States,
and especially the CIA, of deliberately allowing the Korean plane to enter
"
Soviet airspace
The paper's Washington correspondent Harold Jackson reported that "in the
strongest attack he has launched on the Russians since coming to office,
Mr. Reagan described their actions as 'barbaric,' 'brutal' and
'atrocities.''
Another report in the paper said that "the British Government yesterday
threw its weight behind American-led demands for full explanations,
=
reparations and punishment for the destruction of plane
In an editorial the paper said, "The TASS statement was neither adequate
nor convincing =
"President Reagan Bristling With Anger"
Today's conservative Daily Telegraph had the report of Washington
correspondent Frank Taylor that "President Reagan, bristling with anger
yesterday accused the Soviet Union of a 'terrorist act' and of
flagrantly lying about the tragedy.'
In another story the paper said, "Secretary Shultz declared last night that
the Kremlin was trying 'elaborately and brazenly' to cover up the fact it
had shot down the airliner."
"Americans Believe Have to Share Planet However Russians Behave"
According to the Financial Times today, "Amid all the emotion, the majority
view in America remains that Americans share the same planet with the
"
Russians and have to live with them, however, disgracefully they behave
TASS Statement "As Sickening as It Is Absurd"
In the view of nationalistic Daily Mail today the statement from the
Kremlin on the incident was "as sickening as it is absurd, couched in the
most poisoned terms of the Soviet propagandists, claiming that the jumbo
jet was a Western spy plane. This empty bluster is almost as sickening as
the tragedy itself."
USIA/P/RM
3
9/3/83
"Outrage Is Not Enough!"
The sensationalist Sun declared, "Outrage is not enough. Why should we in
the West go on dealing with the Reds as if they were civilized human beings
and not barbarians?"
FRANCE
"Reagan Accuses"
In Paris today, headlines included "Reagan to Andropov: What Could Be the
Extent of Mutual, Legitimate Discussion With a State Whose Values Permit
Such Attrocities?" and "Reagan Accuses!' (Le Matin), "Regan Denounces
'Terrorist Act Soviets 'Regret' and Accuse" and "Moscow: Korean Jet Was
Spy Plane" (Liberation), "269 Dead (red ink) and Killers Are Free"
(Quotidien de Paris) and "269 Spies Aboard?" (Parisien Popular).
"Now They Have to Cynically Lie"
Conservative Quotidien said today, "Killing was not enough for them. Now
"
they have to cynically lie
Pro-Socialist Le Matin remarked, "Thanks to TASS, this story will be
horrible to the end, because Moscow, far from apologizing, accuses: the
spies are everywhere. This plane, filled with sleepy people was, according "
to TASS, conducting intelligence operations. Nobody is being fooled
Leftist Liberation said, "The Soviets are pleading shared blame: " they
regret and they accuse
They reverse the thrust of the proof
Communist Paper: "American Government Has Furnished No Proof"
Communist Humanite ran headlines such as "Profound Emotion Throughout
World" and "Bring Everything to Light--Establish the Truth" over a
front-page comment that held, "This affair is one more reason to intensify
the fight against the arms race
"Thus far, the American Government has furnished no other proof of (the
attack) than the recording of what is presented as " an exchange of messages
between the fighter pilot and his command post
"Charges Pit Two Superpowers Face to Face"
Mass appeal Parisien Popular today said, "This occupation of spying appears
at once easy and extremely serious: easy because it is virtually
unverifiable, serious because it pits the two super powers against one
another face to face
"
USIA/P/RM
4
9/3/83
WEST GERMANY
"Worldwide Indignation"
Headlines today were "Worldwide Indignation" (West Deutsche Allgemeine),
"Attack Condemned as Crime--U.S. Leaders Call for Sanctions Against USSR"
(Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger), "Reagan Accuses Moscow of Committing Act of
Terror" (General-Anzeiger) and "Washington: Barbarism of Soviet
Government--Bonn: Act of Utmost Brutality" (Frankfurter Allgemeine).
"Chancellor Kohl: 'Notorious Act of Extreme Barbarism''
Bonn's independent General-Anzeiger today reported that Chancellor Kohl
condemned the Soviet action as a "notorious act of extreme barbarism" that
=
reflects "unusual coldbloodedness
Left-leaning Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich reported that FRG President
Karl Carstens, in a telegram to South Korea's president, characterized the
incident as an "inhuman assault on civil aviation." The paper said that
Social Democratic leader Hans-Jochen Vogel called the attack "depressing
and disgusting
"
"
"This Mean Crime Is So Monstrous
Pro-Christian Democratic Bonner Rundschau today had an interview with
Minister of State Juergen Moellemann citing him as saying, "This mean crime
is SO monstrous that it is hard to comment on it adequately.
"The countries of the Western community must agree in
political
consultation on a common course and refrain from presenting their
individual national conclusions to the public
"
Bonn's conservative Die Welt observed that now "a Reagan-Andropov meeting
seems to be impossible for a long time to come It may turn out " that
Andropov does not have his military apparatus under control
"Crime Reflects Fatal Automatism of the Mechanism of Reaction"
Conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine held that "the incident is like an
ironical exclamation mark after almost a decade of Soviet hubris, a decade
of Soviet arms buildup and expansion.' "
Left-of-center Frankfurter Rundschau said today, "What the killing of 269
people reflects is not only the evil character of the Soviets, but the
fatal automatism of the mechanism of reaction. The persons responsible
"
acted like a mechanical apparatus
USIA/P/RM
5
9/3/83
FINLAND
"Since Superpower Did It, It's All the More Shocking"
An editorial in leading Helsingen Sanomat today said, "In the absence of
accurate information one has to assume that the United States is right
"
The paper declared the attack was "to be condemned as much as earlier
similar actions by Bulgarian, Israeli and Rhodesian rebels.
"But since the plane was shot down by a superpower, the incident is " all
the more shocking. Superpowers must be able to exercise restraint
SWITZERLAND
"American Right Has Found Martyr in Larry McDonald"
Middle-of-the-road Tribune de Geneve ran a correspondent's report from
Washington on demonstrations in front of the Soviet embassy. The writer
said, "Clearly the American right has found its martyr in the person of
"
Larry McDonald
NETHERLANDS
Calvinist Trouw judged today, "No matter what statement the Kremlin comes
up with
it will never be acceptable as a rationalization or
"
explanation
Conservative De Telegraaf suggested, "The incident will further open the
eyes of those friends of peace who have trouble imagining that they can
immediately grasp the hand of those friendly Soviets who are just as afraid
as we are
SPAIN
"Who Is Source of World Tension?"
In Madrid today, conservative ABC said, in an editorial, that "if American
fighters had downed a passenger plane of a small nation, what would the
world have said? What would the progressive press especially have said?
USIA/P/RM
6
9/3/83
"The cries of indignation have been heard from around the world. But it
happens that the plane was brought down by Soviet fighters. This seems
to contradict all of the schemes they try to peddle as to the source of
tensions in the world."
AUSTRIA
"Peace Movement Has Received Slap in the Face"
In Vienna today, influential Die Presse ran the statements of political
leaders condemning the attack. Independent Kurier said in an editorial,
"The international peace movement has received a slap in its face. They
say Ronald Reagan is a trigger happy cowboy while the Soviet Union is
regarded as an element of peace and level-headedness
"This dangerous illusion of the peace demonstrators has now been shot down
in coldblood
"
IRELAND
"Consequences Must Be Guarded Against As They Are Dreaded"
Dublin's liberal Irish Times maintained in an editorial today, "Relations
between Moscow and Washington are bad enough. This will make them worse.
In a matter of hours, a highly combustible atmosphere has been created, the
consequences of which must be guarded against even as they are dreaded
ICELAND
"Soviet System Is Military Machine Suffering Paranoia"
Reykjavik's Dagbladid said yesterday that "the automatic cruelty of the
Soviet system lucidly appeared This mass murder will not be understood
unless one realizes the function of the system which lies behind it. This
system is not an ordinary society, but a strong, military machine suffering
paranoia
"
USIA/P/RM
7
9/3/83
EASTERN EUROPE
YUGOSLAVIA
"Too Severe a Punishment"
Belgrade's Politika said today the incident was "an unworldly and
unreasonable deed" and the worse setback for East-West relations since the
Cuban missile crisis.
The paper said, "Even if the jumbo jet pilot was not precisely on course or
did not obey the warnings of the Soviet fighter, it is still to severe a
"
punishment to fulfill its own purpose
HUNGARY
"Provocation Sharpening International Atmosphere"
In Budapest today, Nepszabadsag ran a long story on the incident carefully
citing TASS as the source.
Magyar Hirlap carried the story on page three under the headline
"Provocation Sharpening International Atmosphere: TASS Announcement
Concerning the Disappeared Aircraft."
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC
JAPAN
"Reagan: 'Barbaric Act'
Tokyo's NHK, TBS and Fuji television today focused attention on the
highlights of President Reagan's statement just before his departure from
California and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Lichenstein's speech at the UNSC.
The networks said the President strongly criticized the KAL incident as a
"barbaric act" and that he questioned the credibility of the Soviet Union
for shooting down the airliner.
USIA/P/RM
8
9/3/83
NHK television carried a report saying that Mr. Reagan had decided that the
KAL incident would* be the main topic of next week's talks between Secretary
Shultz and Foreign Minister Gromyko.
Confusion in the Kremlin?
Today's conservative Sankei said the Soviet Union is continuing its
"silence" and that behind this silence appears to be confusion in the
Kremlin leadership over the KAL incident.
The paper cited a military source in Tokyo as saying that the Soviet Far
East command has the power to take independent combat action without
receiving orders from Moscow. The source reportedly believed that the
missile-firing order was given without the Kremlin's knowledge.
"Soviet Secrecy Has Fueled Japanese Anti-Soviet Sentiment"
Moderate Yomiuri stated in an editorial today that "the Soviets should
immediately clarify the circumstances of the tragedy and identify the
persons responsible.
"It is hard to imagine that the action this time was taken on direct
instruction from Moscow's supreme military command. Perhaps the decision
was made by a local commander. If so, we have a frightening situation."
The paper added that "the secretive Soviet attitude, including rejection of
Japanese searches in the waters where the Korean plane is believed to have
crashed, only serves to fuel anti-Soviet feeling among the Japanese people."
"The Soviets Must Reveal the Truth"
Liberal Asahi of Tokyo said today "we request that the Soviet Government
reveal the truth quickly and sincerely in order to avoid escalation of
East-West tension and to prevent recurrence of such incidents."
"We Agree With President Reagan"
Moderate Mainichi wrote: "We demand that the Soviet Union reveal the facts
quickly and sincerely and take convincing measures.
"President Reagan has criticized the Soviet action as a barbaric and
heinous act. We feel the same way.
USIA/P/RM
9
9/3/83
HONG KONG
"George Orwell's World Has Arrived"
Today's independent Economic Journal judged that the incident showed that
the Soviet Union is "the world's most dangerous player with fire" and that
it allowed people to see how the major powers are monitoring each other,
indicating that "George Orwell's horrible world (of 1984) has now emerged
on the international scene."
The paper went on to state that the United States "is trying to use the
incident to tear down the mask of the USSR as a 'peace-lover.' The effect
of the downing of the plane will be a further escalation of U.S. arms
expansion and a lessening of criticism against it."
"Actual Sanctions Are Called For"
The pro-Taiwan Hong Kong Times urged that there be substantive sanctions
against the USSR because "the Communists only know power and fear
reprisals. Empty condemnations do not have much effect on them
It is
only with actual sanctions that we can have some sort of deterence against
unscrupulous perpetrators of crime."
INDONESIA
"Reagan Entitled to Self-righteousness"
Today's English-language Jakarta Post described the KAL incident as "evil,
plain and simple" and said that President Reagan is now "entitled to some
good old God-fearing self-righteousness."
The paper went on to recount the "lame response" offered thus far by the
Kremlin and concluded, "We join the rising chorus calling for an
international and concerted stance throughout the world community to
deplore, condemn, and severely penalize the Soviet Union for this
abominable and wretched act."
Strong Direct Action Against USSR Urged
Independent Kompas of the same city said this incident should be followed
by strong, direct action against the USSR and suggested "for example,
forbidding Aeroflot plans to land at any other airports, and banning
docking rights for all Soviet commercial and passenger vessels world-wide."
USIA/P/RM
10
9/3/83
"If Shultz Is Correct =
Today's nationalistic Indonesian Observer hesitated to put the full blame
for the incident on the USSR, saying that "if what was alleged by Mr.
George Shultz proves to be correct, then that Soviet jet fighter must be
condemned."
MALAYSIA
All media today strongly condemned the Soviet action and cited the
Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister's statement on the "unpardonable" and
"wanton act of savagery and arrogance," as well as statements by President
Reagan, Secretary Shultz and other world leaders.
Call for a "Total Boycott of All Russian Aircraft"
Leading Malay-language Utusan Malaysia wrote in an editorial today: "While
waiting for further explanation from the Kremlin about this atrocity
perperpetrated by their armed forces, the entire world should undertake a
total boycott of all Russian aircraft."
"What About the Soviet Spy Sub in Swedish Waters?"
The conservative New Straits Times of Kuala Lumpur remarked today that
"Moscow has so easily forgotten (that) its spy submarine ran aground in
Swedish waters in a restricted zone. Should Sweden then have, by the same
token, fired a missile at the 56 crew members?"
AUSTRALIA
The story remained lead in all media today. Except for one or two isolated
articles or commentaries noting that under strictest interpretation the
Soviet action was "legal," the tenor of all coverage was condemnatory.
"Secretary Shultz Spoke For Most of the World"
Today's nationally-circulated Australian stressed that "The U.S. Secretary
of State, Mr. Shultz spoke for most of the world's people when he expressed
his 'revulsion' and 'grave concern' at this incident of tragic savagery
"The incident has added weight to the arguments of those who have warned
that the provision by the West of high technology to the Soviet Union is
akin to selling them the rope with which they will hang us."
USIA/P/RM
11
9/3/83
THAILAND
"How Callous Can Russia Get?"
Bangkok's leading English-language Nation Review said today in an editorial
headed "Air Tragedy: How Callous Can Russia Get?" that "an over-careful,
sensitive man like U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz would not have
flatly accused the Soviet Union of shooting down the Korean airliner unless
he had full proof as to how it was shot down
"One thing is sure and that is that the nations of this world cannot let
this incident pass without taking retailiatory action."
SOUTH ASIA
INDIA
The downing of the jet was the lead story in most papers today. Coverage
focused on statements by the United States and South Korea. Sidebar
stories reported TASS charges that the plane was on a spying mission, and
the cautious reaction of the Indian Government to the event.
Headline Treatment
Typical headlines today were "U.S. Seeks U.N. Meet on Korean Plane
Loss
Moscow Is Lying: Reagan" (Indian Express), "S. Korea Wants Apology
and Compensation
U.S.A. Shows Restraint" (Hindustan Times) and "Russia
Lying About Crash, Says Reagan" (Times of India).
"The Evidence Is Damning"
The lead editorial in today's left-of-center Times of India headed "From
Russia By Mistake" said: "The rhetoric of the Americans need not have been
taken seriously in different circumstances. But in this case the evidence
is damning, if not for Moscow, at least for a set of unduly tense and
incredibly rash pilots of the Soviet Air Force
"Moscow must offer an unqualified apology and adequate compensation for the
bereaved. Its silence adds to the crime of its commander.
"The Reagan Administration may well be trying to get the maximum possible
proganda advantage out of this tragedy. But that is no reason why Moscow
should not frankly own up to the crime."
USIA/P/RM
12
9/3/83
"Soviet Authorities Owe An Explanation"
An editorial in the Chandigarh Tribune maintained today that the incident
"was an avoidable embarrassment, certain to be exploited to the full by the
United States. The Soviet authorities owe an explanation to the moral
conscience of the world.
SRI LANKA
"The Soviets' Monumental Indifference"
Today's Island of Colombo said the "unprovoked and mystery-ridden shooting
down by the Soviet Union of (the South Korean plane) is an act of outrage
that is hard to beat even in these times of all-pervasive terrorism and
defiance of all accepted social norms.
"What is double shocking about the whole tragic episode is the monumental
indifference shown by Soviet officialdom
and the Orwellian blanket of
obfuscation which the Soviet authorities seem intent on throwing over the
whole issue."
BANGLADESH
"Soviets Admit Warning Shot"
Dhaka's independent Ittefaq headlined today "Moscow Admits Warning Fire on
South Korean Airliner." Sister New Nation said "Soviets Admit Warning
Shot. "
The latter paper frontpaged several stories on the incident included one
headed "A Great Crime Against Humanity."
PAKISTAN
"USSR Admits Firing Missiles"
Media today gave prominent play to the incident, highlighting the Reagan
and Shultz condemnation of the incident, the calling of the UNSC meeting
and the reaction of world leaders. Media reports also carried the Soviet
version of the event. There was no editorial comment as yet.
USIA/P/RM
13
9/3/83
MIDDLE EAST
JORDAN
"KAL Plane Creates Serious International Crisis"
Electronic and print media today gave straight reporting of the incident
with no comment. A typical banner head over a wire serice story was
"Korean Plane Creates Serious International Crisis."
KUWAIT
Independent, pro-Palestinian al-Watan today summed up in its headline
"Reagan: The Soviets Are Liars, An Ugly Crime" and "Moscow: Korean Plane
Was Spying."
The English-language Kuwait Times said today that "the Soviet Government
would be well advised to tell the whole truth to an extremely worried
world, and without losing any time, offer to make amends in a convincingly
comprehensive manner."
It finished, however, by reminding its readers of the incident involving
the Israeli shooting down of a Libyan jetliner in 1973. It said, "That
incident was discussed in the Security Council and--let it not be forgotten
tonight--it was the United States that applied an angry veto to shoot down
a resolution which sought to blame the Israelis."
BAHRAIN
"Russia's Psychosis Has Been Underlined"
Today's independent Gulf Daily News stated that the incident "has
underlined Russia's acute psychosis about national security and an almost
obsessive fear of imminent attack The Soviet Government cannot avoid
responsibility for one of the most outrageous violations of civilized
behavior in recent years.
USIA/P/RM
14
9/3/83
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
MEXICO
Headlines in Mexico today included "World-wide Condemnation of Soviet Union
for Shooting Down South Korean Plane" (Excelsior), "Reagan Calls Moscow
Liar and Terrorist; Soviet Union Replies, 'Dirty Anti-Sovietism, (El
Dia), "Mankind Condemns Attack on Defenseless Commercial Plane" (El Heraldo
de Mexico) and "Reagan Charges Soviet Union as Terrorist" ( El Sol de
Mexico).
"Western Nations Should Unanimously Break Relations with Soviets"
Conservative El Heraldo de Mexico in an editorial today said, "It is
necessary that this sinister, criminal act cause such a reaction in all
Western nations that they unanimously, without waiting for U.N. red tape,
break relations with the (Soviet) assassin empire
reject
any
relationship
or contact with it until it is forced to abide by the rules of the
civilized world."
"Irresponsible Contempt for Human Life"
Nationalistic El Universal in an editorial today, "TASS has made a
suggestion which apparently belongs to the fantasy of the worse spy
novel--that the plane was on a spy mission
"However, everything indicates that the Soviets fired against a defenseless
civilian aircraft. That would only be justified in cases of extreme
belligerence, which is not the case here. Regardless of Soviet allegations
that technically it had the right to do what it did, nothing justifies such
irresponsible contempt for human life."
Papers reported a statement by the Foreign Ministry that "the Mexican
Government regrets deeply the loss of human lives caused by this incident,
at the same time it feels it an exhaustive and impartial investigation is
necessary because, if it were confirmed that the airline was shot down,
would be witnessing a completely condemnable action, a grave violation of
international law and an attempt against the security of air communication.
"
Soviet Ambassador Claims South Korean Pilot Responsible
Moderate Novedades today reported Soviet Ambassdor Rostislav Sergueev
regretted the incident because of the loss of the life. However, the paper
added, he emphasized that the person responsible for the incident was the
pilot of the South Korean aircraft.
USIA/P/RM
15
9/3/83
Yesterday the Soviet ambassador was quoted by nationalistic El Universal as
claiming that the incident "does not endanger world peace" and that this is
the second time a South Korean plan has violated Soviet territory "disre-
garding clear directions and signals. "
"Without Trying to Judge Who Is Responsible, Loss of Lives Regrettable"
Leftist-nationalist Unomasuno in an editorial yesterday admitted "the
seriousness of the incident
Without trying to judge who is responsible
the loss of lives certainly is regrettable
"Comdemnable to Use This Tragedy Immorally As Political Weapon"
Marxist-oriented El Dia yesterday characterized the incident as "more than
regrettable" and noted that "if, as Western sources say, the plane was shot
down by the USSR, we would face one of the most flagrant acts of intemper
ance provoked by the current climate of East-West tensions. If, on the
contrary, it ony was a regrettable accident, it is also as equally comdemn-
able to use this tragedy immorally as a political weapon.'
BRAZIL
"Deserves Repugnance and Condemnation"
The shooting down of the South Kroean civilian airliner was prominently
played yesterday by Brasilia's three dailies.
Headlines included "USSR Shoots Down Korean Civilian Airliner" '(Soviet)
Military Plane Received Order to Shoot the Airliner" "U.S. Heard Everything
Before the Tragedy" "USSR's Explanations Do Not Convince US." (pro-
Government Correio Braziliense), "Brazil Repudiates Soviet Action"
(independent Jornal de Brasilia) and "Soviet Military Plane SHoots Down
Korean Airliner With 269 Aboard" (independent Ultima Hora de Brasilia.
Jornal de Brasilia quoted Brazilian Foreign Minister Guerreiro that the
shooting was an "extremely serious fact" which deserves "repugnance and
condemnation.
"
"Shultz Does Not Know What He Is Talking About"
In Sao Paulo, radio news programs yesterday stressed the protest against
the Soviet Union released Thursday night by the Foreign Ministry. Under
the banner headline, "USSR Shoots Down Jumbo and Kills 269," O Estado de
Sao Paulo devoted the upper half of its front page to the incident. Folha
de Sao Paulo gave third of front page, headlined "USSR Shoots Down South
Korean Jumbo, Kills 269."
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Liberal Folha de Sao Paulo ran columns by New York and Paris commentators.
Paulo Francis, writing from New York, said, "It was a Soviet act of barbar-
ism
In the USSR, these things are always decided at the highest levels.
The crime came from above. In order to change this perception it would
have been necessary for Shultz to have bluffed us. I do not believe that.
"The shooting down of the plane is legal. Shultz says it is not. He does
not know what he is talking about or it is his demagoguery. An invader
plane of an air space must land if it is intercepted by the invaded. It
maybe shot down in the case of a refusal
"But a civilized nation does not shoot down passenger planes
It is an act
of unjustifiable violence. It is the typical product of Soviet paranoia
and of our time
It strengthened Reagan and weakened Andropov.
"Sympton of Excessive Nervousness of Soviet Military"
Claudio Abramo, writing from Paris, said, "The crime committed against a
defenseless plane will have more serious consequences for the USSR than he
invasion of Afghanistan and the direct intervention in Poland. It is a
symptom of the excessive nervousness of the Soviet military command and
reveals a profound tension and latent instability."
"There Is No Justification"
In an edtitorial headed "Brutality and Stupidity," Folha said, "There is no
justification for the extreme measure of the attack and the shooting down
of a civilian plane, particularly in peacetime. It is difficult to know
which is the more deplorable aspect in this episode: the brutaltiy with
which almost 300 lives were eliminated or the cold war stupidity which
leads those responsible for the scurity of a superpower to perceive enemy
ghosts even in a peaceful passenger plane."
COLOMBIA
"Incredulity Turned Into Indignation and Horror"
Headlines in Bogota yesterday included "Russians Down a Commercial
Airliner" (El Tiempo), "Cowardly Soviet Massacre" ( El Espectador), "Soviet
Fighters Knock Down a Korean Plane With 269 Persons (El Siglo) and "World-
wide Consternation Over the Russian 'Massacre'' (La Republica).
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VENEZUELA
Papers throughout the country yesterday carried the incident as a front-
page lead story. Coverage was limited to wire service dispatches.
Headlines included "U.S. Demands Soviets Explain Attack on Jet (The Daily
Journal), "Red Alert 44 Years from WW II, Moscow Does Not Answer Washing-
ton" (Ultimas Noticias) and "Reagan Seeks Explantion from Moscow for
Destruction of South Korean Airplane: 269 Passengers and Crew Dead" (El
Nacional). There were no editorial commentary or statements by public
officials.
Radio and TV coverage was extensive. TV reports generally stressed that
there was great consternation in governmental and public sectors in the
United States.
PERU
"Transgression Incites World Tension"
Media registered shock and harsh condemnation of the Soviet action. Wide-
circulation pro-Government Expresso headlined: "Transgression Incites
World Tension; US. Calls Act 'Repulsive and Inexcusable, and the mass
circulation tabloid Extra had "World Indignation over USSR Criminal Attack."
Exception to this type of condemnation of the Soviet action came from pro-
Communist Diario de Marka which buried the story on page 12 under the
headline "South Korean Plane With 269 Passengers Has Not Appeared.' "
ECUADOR
"Ecuador Rejects the Soviet Union"
Newspapers in Quito and Guayaquil yesterday gave front-page coverage to
wire service stories. Independent-liberal Hoy's headline stressed "World
Tension Over the Attack."
Conservative El Tiempo, in an article headlined "Ecuador Rejects the Soviet
Union," quoted Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Luis Valencia as saying that "no
type of argument can serve as justification for the attack on a commercial
aircraft whose exclusive function is the transport of passengers, even if
it was follwoing a mistaken route or was lost."
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SOUTHERN CONE
Newspapers in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay gave front-
page coverage to wire service stories. There were no comments except in
Asuncion.
PARAGUAY
"Deserves the Label of 'Repulsive and Inexcusable'
Major circulation ABC Color of Asuncion in an editorial yesterday described
the act as "coolly deliberated. Under these terms we are, therefore, and
without any doubts, facing a cruel act of war done while at peace. The
additional circumstances that it was done to a commerical airliner
incapable of defending iself, make it a crimnal act
that well deserves
the label of 'repulsive and inexcusable' given by Mr. SHultz."
Second largest circulation Hoy noted that "these innocent dead
will sleep
in an unknown tomb without the statements of even one of these groups which
specialize in weakening democracy saying one word. But this silence is
also eloquent
and will make people think."
Tribuna in a front-page comment said, "Mankind, frightened by an act that
reveals such abominable wickedness, cannot escape the consternation
provoked by such an act- of incredible bellicosity in peace time."
CHILE
"Such Instances as This Make Us Fear For Tomorrow"
Chilean TV and radio commentators condemned the Soviet attack. Santiago's
Channel 13 in an international news commentary on Thursday night asserted
that "the fact that the Soviet Union should have shot down an unarmed
commercial plane with 269 people aboard is, in itself, deplorable.
However, what makes it particularly condemnable is that it was not a
question of a Soviet missile fired by mistake against an unidentified
target.
"Quite the opposite they knew perfectly well that it was unarmed non-
military aircraft and, in spite of this, they fired a missile against
it
Such instances as this make us fear for tomorrow
"
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COSTA RICA
"We Do Not Remember a Subhuman Act of Similar Magnitude"
Leading La Nacion of San Jose in an editorial yesterday said, "We do not
remember in recent history a subhuman act of similar magnitude; a sign so
evident of the disregard for human life, an arbitrariness so naked.
Everyone--governments, organizations and citizens ought to raise their
voices in condemnation."
La Republica in an editorial wrote, "All humanity, including the Soviet
people, have to react with indignation and horror in the facae of this
savage act, and ought to be pained to the core of their being that there is
an attempt to hid the crime committed, denying the facts and eluding the
punishment that its authors deserve."
PANAMA
"More Likely It Was a Local Decision"
Opposition La Prensa yesterday ran a commentator by the writer Guillermo
Sanchez who said, "I do not think Soviet leaders ordered the attack on the
Korean aircraft. It is more likely that it was a local decision."
NICARAGUA
"The United States Made a "Strange Complaint"
Sandinista TV news totally ignored the incident on Thursday evening. Pro-
Government Barricada and El Nuevo Diario yesterday gave low-key coverage
featuring a TASS report.
FSLN organ Barricada, in a locally-written lead, said that events surround-
ing the incident were still "unclear," but that the United States had made
a "strange complaint" which seemed the "artficial creation" of a doubtful
diplomatic incident.
Papers in El Salvador and Honduras ran front-page headlines over the story.
There has been no editorial comment to date.
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SPECIAL
Foreign Media
REPORT
Reaction
September 4, 1983
DOWNING OF SOUTH KOREAN PASSENGER JET - III
Summary
President Reagan's radio talk was widely covered in the third day of
volumnious, worldwide media attention to the Soviet downing of South
Korea's Boeing 747.
On the basis of the President's remarks, media speculated on what actions
the United States might take against the Soviet Union. West German TV
One's Washington correspondent said, "The Americans do not want to use
economic pressure against the Soviets. And many insisted, as did the
London Sunday Telegraph, that INF "talks have to go ahead for the sake of
those that live on both sides of the iron curtain."
Even though editorialists in all parts of the world complained about the
Soviet's lack of candor over the incident, they expected that, as liberal
Le Monde of Paris said today, "Moscow, little by little, crumb by crumb"
will admit new facts.
Observers challenged the credibility of the Soviet Union over the
incident. Copenhagen's conservative Berlingske Tidende said, "The Soviet
Union, in just a few hours, has succeeded in tearing down its own
credibility."
It was suggested by others that Soviet leader Andropov may have "lost
control" of the Soviet military, and cannot "admit the facts" without a
confrontation with his military leaders. Some such as Oslo's conservative
Aftenposten went so far as to say that "it looks as if the (Soviet)
political leaders are mere figureheads."
Editorialists in widely separated capitals as Athens and Suva agreed with
today's London Observer that "in many quarters there seemed to be a greater
concern for exploiting the disaster for propaganda purposes than for
establishing the actual details of what occurred."
United States Information Agency
WESTERN EUROPE
BRITAIN
President Reagan's Rage and International Outrage
Third-day coverage of the downing of a South Korean passenger jet continued
to dominate front pages with emphasis on President Reagan's anger and inter-
national outrage.
"Fury Mounts"
Headlines today were "U.S. Names Guilty Soviet General" (Sunday Times),
"Reagan Hits at Soviet 'Murderers'' (Observer), "Fury Mounts Over Plane
Shot Down by Russians--Ready-to-Obey Signal Was Ignored" and "Reagan
Studies Options" (Sunday Telegraph), "Thatcher Poised to Back Call for NATO
Boycott--Reagan's Red Air Ban Worldwide" (Sunday Mail), "Proof Jet Was Not
Spying" (Sunday Mirror) and "Outraged Reagan Demands: Tell Us the
Truth--Come Clean, Andropov" (Sunday Express).
"Americans Named Soviet General"
Correspondents for the Sunday Times reported, "The Americans yesterday
named the Soviet General who, they believe, would have given the final
order to shoot down (the plane) in a move which gave the public a rare
glimpse into a highly secret and sophisticated area of U.S. intelligence
:
An editorial in the same paper said, "Shock, revulsion and grief can be the
only proper responses to the deaths of the
airline passengers and crew
"In our view
the scattershot approach in reacting is both ineffectual and
beside the point. It would be far better to find something that will at
the same time demonstrate the depth of Western feeling, inflict penalties
that will particularly affect the ruling classes in the USSR, and in the
end, produce substantial compensation for the victims
"
"Greater Concern for Exploiting
Than Determining Details"
Today's Observer said, "President Reagan, angry at what he said were
'flagrant Soviet lies' about the shooting down (of the plane), yesterday
accused the Russians of 'murder. Around the world, angry protests and
demonstrations about the Soviet action continued
"
An editorial said, "In many quarters there seemed to be a greater concern
for exploiting the disaster for propaganda purposes than for establishing
the actual details of what occurred
"
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"Moscow Accused Reagan of 'Hypocritical Sorrow' "
The conservative Sunday Telegraph reported that "just before it was shot
down, the (plane) tried to signal that it would comply with Soviet
interception procedures, according to fragments of monitored communications
analyzed in Washington
"
A Moscow correspondent for the paper reported, "Moscow accused President
Reagan last night of expressing 'hypocritical sorrow' over the loss
"
An editorial held, "Western statesmen would be naive if they did not do all
in their power to press home the moral of this crime
to everyone who can
listen
"
(But) even if conducted in a frostier atmosphere
(nuclear missile) talks
have to go ahead for the sake of those who live on both sides of the iron
curtain.
"
"Incident Was Not a Sudden Aberration"
Today's nationalistic Mail maintained, in an editorial, that "the most
terrible thing about (the incident) is that it was not a sudden aberration
or a tragic mistake. It was an absolutely typical act of ruthlessness
=
"It Will Be a Long Time Before Outrage Subsides"
The Sunday Express editorial held that "it will be a long time before the
worldwide outrage and revulsion at the Soviet Union's coldblooded
destruction of a Korean jumbo jet filled with innocent men, women and
children, begins to subside
FRANCE
"Little by Little
Moscow Admits the Facts"
In Paris, liberal Le Monde's Sunday edition ran a front-page story that
"nothing can better prove the fundamental culpability of the USSR
than
the way in which Moscow, little by little, crumb by crumb, admits (new
facts) "
WEST GERMANY
Television newscasts last night featured film footage of demonstrations
against the Soviet Union in New York, Seoul and Tokyo.
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"President Reagan Will Announce Countermeasures Sunday"
Washington correspondent Dieter Kronzucker observed on TV Two last night
that "President Reagan feels that these events simply prove his negative
assessment of the USSR.
"Reagan will announce (Sunday) U.S. countermeasures
Secretary of State
Shultz will travel to Madrid next week. It is expected that he will
question intensely Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko on this issue. The
Madrid negotiations are just of secondary importance in light of these new
developments.
"Moscow Says All This is Anti-Soviet U.S. Plot"
The news show had a report from Moscow that "the Soviets have made clear
that all this is an anti-Soviet U.S. plot. The CIA is accused of being
responsible. The Soviets should perhaps reconsider because trust and
confidence will be important elements for negotiations in Madrid and
Geneva."
"Secretary Shultz Repeated 'Tell the Truth'
TV One's Washington correspondent Cornelius Bormann, said in a main
newscast last night that "President Reagan met with the National Security
Council to decide on U.S. reactions
"Landing rights of Soviet airplanes may be limited. The grain agreement
does not seem to be an effective instrument of applying political pressure.
"Secretary Shultz has once again demanded a complete uncovering of the
events and that the USSR should 'tell the truth.
President Reagan made
clear that Soviet and Cuban airplanes have, in the past, violated U.S.
airspace without the United States resorting to military counter measures. "
"Americans Do Not Want to Use Economic Pressure"
In a later broadcast, the same correspondent said, "The Americans do not
want to use economic pressure against the Soviets. The Geneva talks are to
be continued. Secretary Shultz demanded that the Soviets should 'tell the
truth.
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ITALY
Italian headlines yesterday included "White House Begins Debate on
Credibility of USSR" (Corriere della Sera), "Incredible Version of Soviets
on Korean Civil Air Tragedy" (La Repubblica), "U.S. Does Not Exclude
Recourse to Retaliation Against USSR" (La Stampa) and "Between U.S. and
USSR--Charges and Tension. Moscow Talks of Provocation But Not Proofs.
Reagan: Soviets Are No longer Credible" (Communist l'Unita).
"Can Andropov Admit Facts Without Confrontation With Military?"
New York correspondent Ugo Stille said in yesterday's centrist Corriere
della Sera that "In the view of the Americans the only satisfactory way out
would be for the USSR to frankly admit its error and attribute the
responsibility to a 'low-level military command'
"But can Andropov do this without risking the opening of a state of tension
and confrontation with Soviet military leaders?"
"Cancelling Geneva Talks Would Cause Difficulty for Europeans"
Leftist La Repubblica of Rome ran the report of New York correspondent
Gaetano Scardocchia that "Diplomats (in Washington) have let it be known
that--other than recourse to the U.N. Security Council and the cancellation
of the Shultz-Gromyko meeting, the White House is gauging other
countermeasures
But not the Geneva talks since such a decision would
place in difficulty European countries hosting American missiles
=
"Almost Certain Reagan Will Decree Sanctions"
Turin's centrist La Stampa yesterday ran New York correspondent Ennio
Caretto's story that "it is almost certain that President Reagan will
decree new sanctions against the Soviets. His problem is to choose a line
that doesn't compromise the newly initiated 'detente' that has just begun
after two and a half years
"
"We Must Continue to Talk"
Left-leaning Il Messagero of Rome declared, in a front-page editorial that
"we must continue to talk The tragedy must give more force, not to
those movements--generous but utopian-- for unilateral disarmament of the
West, but instead to mass movements that press for dialogue, for talks,
"
incessantly, until the seeds of an authentic pacifism are planted
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FINLAND
"U.S. Considers Sanctions"
Headlines today were "Reagan Insists on Soviet Explanation- Plans for
Sanctions" (Helsingen Sanomat), "U.S. Considers Sanctions- Soviets Admit No
Guilt" (Hufvudstadsbladet) and "Soviet Explanation Does Not Satisfy West"
(Uusi Suomi).
"Ouburst of Emotion Around the World"
Finnish television last night showed films of demonstrations against the
Soviet Union in Japan, South Korea and the United States. A commentator
noted "the outburst of emotion around the world" and concluded that "in the
end this incident will be recorded as a propaganda defeat for the Soviet
Union."
SWEDEN
"Can Expect U.S. to Take Measures"
Stockholm's independent Dagens Nyheter said today, "One can expect the
United States to take measures against the Soviet --excluding an
economic embargo or breaking off the INF talks. This sudden crisis is
severe enough
=
Conservative Dagbladet said, "The results of Moscow's brainy efforts over
the past few days are extremely poor and will be only accepted in those
circles which always uncritically swallow everything served up by Soviet
propaganda
"
DENMARK
"Soviet Union Tore Down Its Own Credibility"
Copenhagen's conservative Berlingske Tidende said in an editorial today
that "the deed itself reveals the Soviet military might for what it is--an
inhuman, stupid, callous machine which, without second thought or
evaluation, wipes out human lives according to orders
"The Soviet Union has succeeded in a few hours to tear down its own
credibility
"
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"No Reason to Change Position on Negotiating With Soviets"
Left-of-center Politiken held today that "the order was hardly given by
responsible political leaders
The decision was probably made in some
other place in the military hierarchy
" (But) as we were willing to negotiate with Moscow before this episode,
there is no reason to change that position today
"
NORWAY
"Must Have Been Isolated Military Decision"
In Oslo yesterday, conservative Aftenposten said, "We must presume that the
Kremlin leaders would have said no to shooting down the plane, which means
it must have been an isolated military decision.
"But if the military, acting on their wits, has free hands to complicate
and strain Soviet relations with the rest of the world, then it looks as if
the political leaders are mere figure heads
=
PORTUGAL
"Act Springs From Despotism"
Lisbon's conservative O Dia maintained in an editorial today that "the
crime is proof of the blindness and barbarism of a system which, ironically
is promoting the celebrations for 'world peace day.
An editorial in the popular weekly Expresso called the incident "an act,
doubtlessly, which springs from the despotism of someone who believes he
is powerful enough to impose his will against everything and everyone,
especially smaller countries
"
Centrist Correio da Manha today ran the headline "Russians Already Have
Found Wreckage. = A story in the paper cited the President of Portugal as
"strongly condemning the way which an air space violation was solved,
involving the loss of human lives
"
A box on the front-page gave an account of the "confrontation" between the
United States and the Soviet Union at the United Nations.
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AUSTRIA
"Demonstrators Will Now Perhaps Pause and Think"
In Vienna today, independent tabloid Kronen-Zeitung declared, "With their
peace propaganda, the Soviets have succeeded of late in influencing some
unstable minds in the West
"Those demonstrators who are sincerely for peace will now perhaps pause and
think whether they can reconcile it with their conscience to take action,
together with young Socialists and Communists, to protest mainly against
the United States, as if the envisaged American INF modernization were the
main evil
"
GREECE
"U.S. Propaganda Exploitation
and Clumsy Soviet Handling"
Athens' prestigious, pro-Government Vima ran the headline "Reagan Will
Announce No Reprisals or Boycotts Against Russians for Destroying Boeing"
and stated, "U.S. propaganda exploitation of the tragedy continues = and is
reinforced by clumsy handling of the issue by the Soviet Union
A New York correspondent wrote in a separate story that "cancellation of
the Reagan-Andropov meeting may be the most serious consequence of the
downing of the plane. This will be particularly painful = to Europeans many
of whom have pinned their hopes on this meeting
TURKEY
"Moscow's Explanations Unsatisfactory"
Istanbul's liberal Milliyet had the headlines "Soviets Will Fire Upon
Japanese Ships Entering Their Territorial Waters, "Moscow's Explanations
Unsatisfactory" and "Soviets Announce Finding Debris of Downed Airliner But
Do Not Give Detailed Explanation, "Ban on Demonstrations Lifted in South
Korea--People Are Burning Soviet Flags in the Streets."
Sensationalist Gunaydin today announced, "A Law Suit Opened Against Soviets
for $99 Billion."
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EASTERN EUROPE
HUNGARY
"Exercise to Stir Up Anti-Soviet Hysteria"
Leading papers in Budapest today carried stories on the U.N. Security
Council meeting and identical TASS stories on the incident. The U.N.
stories cited the Soviet ambassador as saying the entire event was a
"propaganda exercise" to "stir up anti-Soviet hysteria."
YUGOSLAVIA
"Americans Looking for Full Confession and Repentence"
Belgrade's Politika today carried Washington correspondent Jurij Gustinic's
report that "the Americans are obviously looking for something that is at
least probably to happen--full confession and repentence
"
SOVIET UNION
"Washington Mounting Worldwide Rabid Anti-Soviet Campaign"
In Moscow yesterday TASS declared, "Washington is feverishly covering up
traces of the provocation staged against the Soviet Union with the
utilization of the South Korean plane
"The White House and the Department of State are mounting a worldwide rabid
anti-Soviet campaign, the tone first set by the U.S. President. In his
statements, permeated with frenzied hatred and malice for the Soviet
state the head of the White House is trying to convince public opinion
that the USSR allegedly is guilt of loss of life
"
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EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC
JAPAN
Coverage of Reagan Radio Speech
Tokyo's NHK, TBS and Fuji television today ran reports from Washington on
President Reagan's radio speech, citing him as demanding an apology from
the USSR. However, they saw indications that the United States would
continue the nuclear disarmament negotiations in Geneva.
Moderate Yomiuri and Mainichi carried brief highlights of the radio speech.
Foreign Ministry "Not" Considering Application of Sanctions Against USSR
Today's liberal Asahi reported that the Japanese Foreign Ministry was not
considering application of sanctions against the Soviet Union because the
KAL incident, unlike the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, was a "passing
event. =
The paper added that the Foreign Ministry intends to await a Soviet
clarification of the incident and of the problem of conducting search
operations in Soviet territorial waters, but that it would take further
diplomatic steps if the Soviets continued their "insincere" stand.
Predictions of What the U.S. Will Do
Washington correspondent Kishii of Mainichi today cited a U.S. Government
source as saying the United States would demand a definite commitment from
Andropov and other Soviet leaders on the safety of civilian planes.
The paper believed that this country would call for 1) prevention of armed
threats and attacks on civilian planes and ships, and 2) guarantee of safe
international navigation of airliners and ships.
"Preposterous Soviet Statement"
An editorial in today's Yomiuri termed the Soviet statement on the KAL
plane "quite preposterous" and observed that the USSR "continues to plead
innocent although Japan and the United States reportedly have detailed
information on Soviet communications around the time the Korean plane was
shot.
"Our main concern is the poor administrative ability of the Andropov regime
in handling a crisis
If the Andropov Government has lost control of
Soviet military leaders, we cannot fail but to look with apprehension
toward the Soviet Union even if a hot line and other systems of mutual
trust are provided."
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SOUTH KOREA
"ROK Demands That Soviets Present Full Account"
Papers, as reported in a press roundup today, emphasized the world's anger
at the Soviet act, and ran pictures of South Koreans demonstrating in
Seoul, denouncing the Soviets and burning the Soviet flag.
All papers yesterday top-headlined the UNSC meeting with typical headlines
reading: "South Korea Demands That USSR Present Full Account of Incident,
and Apologize to the World for Their Act, Make Compensation, and Punish
Those Who Are Directly Responsible For the Incident."
U.S. to Present a Resolution at UNSC
Today's Government-owned Seoul Shinmun ran wire reports stating that the
United States would submit to the UNSC next week a resolution denouncing
the barbarous act of the USSR.
"Provocation Was Premeditated"
An editorial in yesterday's Chosun Ilbo contended that "it is evident the
provocation was premeditated either to test the United States or to
intimidate Japan. The most important thing, however, is why (the Soviets)
victimize a small and weak nation. We are positive that they would not
shoot down JAL or Northwest Airlines
"We have realized the so-called 'northern policy' or detente is a fantasy
and that it is high time for us to see clearly where we stand,
distinguishing enemies from friends."
"Soviet Brutality a Strong Warning For Japan"
Yesterday's Hankook Ilbo said: "We expect the Soviet brutality will be a
strong warning to Japan in particular for her 'free ride in security' (and
that) it might constitute a serious challenge to the status quo on the
Korean peninsula and in the world."
HONG KONG
Letter From Heartbroken Girl to Andropov
Today's independent South China Morning Post led its front page with a
report that Man-Yee, "a heartbroken nine-year-old girl, whose best friend
died in the Korean Airlines disaster, has written to the Soviet leader, Mr.
Yuri Andropov, asking why (the friend) had to be killed."
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"Man-yee has also begged for permission to visit the Sakhalin Island area
where the plane went down
She, like many others around the world, said
she wanted an explanation from the Soviet leader and that she wanted to
write to him.
"The child's act was inspired by a letter written to Mr. Andropov earlier
this year by an 11-year-old American schoolgirl, Samantha Smith, who made a
personal plea for peace. "
SINGAPORE
"Senseless and Savage"
The Sunday Times carried comments by Singapore Foreign Minister Dhanabalan
on the downing of the KAL plane under the front-page headline "Senseless
and Savage" with the subhead "Soviet Act Shows Careless Disregard for Human
Life and the Norms of Civilized Behavior.
"
FIJI
"Anti-Soviet Propaganda and Soviet Counter-accusations"
Suva's Sunday Times saw "some Western Governments milking this dreadful
incident for all it is worth in terms of anti-Soviet propaganda and the
Soviets responding with counter-accusations instead of the explanations
which are SO desperately needed."
CHINA
"Soviets" Concealing Things Inflames International Outrage"
Today's People's Daily carried a "newsletter from America" by correspondent
Zhang Yunwen which said "the Soviet Union's effrontery in shooting down a
Korean Airlines passenger plan immediately caused a tremendous shock here
and on the international scene. "
"The Soviet Union's behavior in concealing things in every possible way,
not daring to face the facts, can only further inflame international
outrage. Governments and public opinion in every country have confirmed
and condemned the Soviet Union's shooting down of the South Korean
airliner. "
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SOUTH ASIA
INDIA
"USSR Under Fire in U.N. Council"
Typical front-page headlines in papers today were "USSR Under Fire in U.N.
Council" (Indian Express), "Travel Curbs by West on Soviets Likely" (Times
of India), and "Russia Denounced in U.N. Council
U.N.
Council Deplores
Soviet Action (Statesman).
"Soviets Are Guilty of Duplicity"
The latter paper said today in an editorial headed "An Unforgivable Act"
that "it would appear that (the Soviets) are guilty not merely of a
monstrous crime against unarmed civilians, but also of duplicity
"On Friday, New Delhi, apparently taking the first statement at its face
value, expressed the hope that 'it is not true that the plane was shot
down'. (Now) there is no longer any room for equivocation of anyone's part.
"All possible international pressure must be brought upon Moscow to
acknowledge direct and full responsibility for the brutal massacre."
The paper added the view that "the Russians will now be on much weaker
ground in criticizing the Reagan Administration's militaristic postures in
Central America or elsewhere.
PAKISTAN
"Pakistan Expresses Deep Anxiety Over Incident"
Today's Government-owned Pakistan Times bannered "Pakistan Expresses Deep
Anxiety Over Plane Shooting Call to Facilitate Impartial Inquiry Reagan
May Announce Punitive Action
USSR Fails to Offer Apology.
An editorial in influential Nawai-Waqt said today that "even if for the
sake of argument we accept the Soviet plea that the plane was involved in
espionage, still there is no justification to kill 269 innocent people who
for sure could not all be spying.'
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MIDDLE EAST
ISRAEL
"Murderers in the Skies"
Tel Aviv's independent Haaretz in an editorial with the above headline
today equated the Soviet Union with terrorist organizations and accused
Moscow of "perpetrating an especially hideous crime."
It went on to state that "a humiliating situation might be created if it
should turn out that the United States in 1983 has not much more effective
means to punish the Soviets for the killing of scores of Americans than
Israel had at a time when Bulgaria downed an El-Al airliner."
National Religious Party Hatzofe maintained today that "the problem is not
how the Soviets can explain the incident, as President Reagan has demanded,
but whether the free world can defend itself against air piracy.
SAUDI ARABIA
"The Arabs Have Had Same Kind of Tragic Experience"
Today's moderately conservative al-Riyadh wrote: "The Arabs too have had a
tragic experience of the same kind, when Israel shot down a (Libyan)
civilian airliner. At that time, the incident triggered no reaction from
the global powers--even those that today are lamenting the victims of the
Korean airliner
"
KUWAIT
Kuwaiti Unwillingness to Condemn USSR Without Proof
Arabic-language papers today reported that the Kuwaiti Ministery of Foreign
Affairs had issued a statement that, without proof, Kuwait was unwilling to
condemn the USSR.
The paper quoted an unidentified Ministry spokesman as saying "a Kuwaiti
response would be tantamount to undermining and damaging cordial relations
with a friendly state. Kuwait is unwilling to damage such relations or
improve them at the expense of her relations with another state."
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
"Fullest Possible Investigation Should Be Held"
Today's English-language Khaleej Times declared that "the fullest possible
investigation should be held by an international team of civil aviation
experts. If the Soviet Union is, as it claims, innocent of the charge of
coldbloodedly shooting down the aircraft, it should welcome such an
investigation.
"
BAHRAIN
"Soviet Act Cannot Be Justified"
An editorial in today's Government-owned Jaridat Oman stressed that "it is
impossible to belittle the horror of the tragic downing of the KAL plane or
to minimize the way it has shocked public opinion.
"There is no way to justify the downing of a civilian airliner
Perhaps
this (incident) reveals the 'truth' of the peace proposals which the Soviet
Union has announced from time to time."
ALGERIA
Press Concentrates on TASS Versions
Media, as reported in a press roundup today, gave little coverage to the
downing of the airliner. Most stories relied heavily on TASS news agency
reports, and emphasized Western "overreaction" to the incident
Government-controlled electronic media gave even less coverage. Television
appeared to ignore it completely and radio news programs ran the story as
the last item of international news, supplying no details of the downing or
the international reaction that had resulted.
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LATIN AMERICA
BRAZIL
"Soviet Attitude Reprehensible in Every Respect "
In Brasilia, Jornal de Brasilia ran a columnist's comment that foreign
diplomats in capital city at first considered the Brazilian Foreign
Ministry's prompt and vehement denunciation to be "precipitate" but it
turned out to be correct.
He continued, "The Soviet attitude was in every respect reprehensible.
Nothing excuses it. The Soviet air force knows that the polar route,
because of its natural peculiarities, poses problems for all aircraft,
civilian and miliary.
"Because of these difficulties, pilots regularly stray off course, and even
penetrate Soviet air space. Thus this cannot constitute a surprise for
Moscow
To shoot down the plane was a criminal act."
"Reagan Increases Pressure But Calls for Calm"
The incident continued today to be a major story in all Rio de Janeiro
media. Front-page coverage was given by all Sunday papers. Headlines gave
emphasis to President Reagan's call on his radio talk yesterday for calm
among allies but firmness and world unity to condemn the Soviet Union.
Typical headlines today were: "Reagan Asks the World to Unite to Condemn
USSR" and "Reagan Requests Unity Against Soviet Brutality" (conservative O
Globo), "Reagan Recommends Calm to Allies on Boeing" (independent Jornal do
Brasil), "Reagan Increases Pressure But Calls for Calm" (mass appeal o Dia)
and "Reagan: Firm But Controlled Reaction to Soviet Aggression" (Latin
American Daily Post).
Reagan's "Most Vehement" Criticism of Soviet Union to Date
Heavy coverage was given to the incident by Sao Paulo media yesterday.
President Reagan's earlier statement was prominently played. Newspapers,
radio and TV station noted that it was "most vehement" criticism of the
Soviet Union to date. Conservative O Estado de Sao Paulo published the
full text under the headline "This Brutality Must Not Be Forgiven."
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"Cold War Being Waged in the Pacific Ocean"
Foreign affairs commentator Newton Carlos said on TV Bandierantes that "in
addition to the barbarism, there are strategic implications being stressed
by important military analysts The USSR is reinforcing it fleet in the
Pacific and at the same time accuses the Japanese Government of being
militaristic and engaged with the United States in the establishment of an
iron axis in the Pacific.
"The world knows (because of the incident) that the cold war is being waged
in the Pacific Ocean, whose waters touch the four big contemporary powers:
the United States, USSR, China and Japan. "
"Is It Possible To Conclude Lasting Agreement With Such a Power?"
Conservative O Estado de Sao Paulo in an editorial yesterday wrote, "In a
civilized world no nation can present any acceptable or even imaginable
argument to shoot down an unarmed civilian plane with passengers aboard,
even if its pilot commits the mistake of entering the air space of a
sovereign nation
"If the highest Soviet officials do not present a convincing and fair
explanation for what has happened
they will have to answer to the
political consequences of this military 'feat' which affects the moral
status of the USSR in the international community and its relations with
civilized nations
"Once again one may ask whether it is possible and worthwhile to conclude
valid and lasting agreements with a power whose moral patterns do not
coincide with the precepts of civilization."
"Always Possibility U.S. Government Is Lying"
Liberal Folha de Sao Paulo ran this following comment by Paulo Francis from
New York: "There always exists the the possibility that the U.S.
Government is lying. It would not be any novelty. But this is much too
great a risk for every government and in the case of a lie it would destroy
Reagan.
"The hatefulness of the U.S. policy causes in the third world makes it
painful for many people to believe Reagan when he attacks the USSR. But in
this case, only explanations confirmed with documents will be capable of
changing the impression of Soviet delinquency.
"There is no excuse
But what remains is the lack of any civilized Soviet
judgment
"
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COLOMBIA
"Worldwide Indignation"
Second-day coverage in Colombian media yesterday gained force as media and
other leaders accused the "ambiguous and pugnacious" Soviet replies as not
responding. Headline slant and editorials lambasted the Soviet Union.
Typical were liberal El Tiempo's "Worldwide Indignation: Russia Insists in
Denial. Liberal El Espectador headlined "Cowardly Soviet Slaughter."
"Unheard of Action by Soviet Military Aviation"
Conservative El Siglo said in an editorial on Friday that the "sense of
sorrow felt by honest people about disaster in other areas was transformed
into feelings, first of incredulity, then doubt and finally indignation
and horror when the Government of the United States confirmed that this
immense tragedy was no accident
What was involved was an unheard of
action by Soviet military aviation against a defenseless commercial
aircraft.
"
Colombian Congress Condemns "Barbarous Attack"
The paper also reported that the Congress of Colombia, "through the Vice
President of the Senate, Eduardo Mestre Sarmiento, condemned what he called
the 'barbarous attack' aginst a passenger plane of Korean Airlines, which
was downed by a Soviet weapon. =
The statement was made during the visit of a delegation of Korean
parliamentarians. The Vice President of the Senate said, "We wish to
express to you our condolences and our solidarity in the matter of this
barbarous attack."
ECUADOR
"Places the Peace of the Whole World in Danger"
Quito's Ultimas Noticias in a editorial yesterday said, "Any explanations
are unsatisfying in the case of the argument that we are obviously dealing
with a civilian aircraft with passengers on board and that a missile would
obviously take hundreds of lives
"The 747 was under control of eight Soviet fighters and one cannot presume
that it constituted any danger
An event of this kind can place in danger
not only the peace of the region but the world as a whole
Nothing can
justify attacks of this kind
which should be condemned absolutely above
any other consideration." "
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CARIBBEAN
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
"Soviet Union Will Have a Hard Time Explaining This to the World"
Santo Domingo's El Sol on Friday said, "The whole world was moved No
matter what, we believe that we are witness to a crime, a horrible crime
which we condemn vigorously.
"No sane person could conceive of a combat jet fighter's firing cold-
bloodedly on an airliner filled with passengers and then returning to base
as though nothing had occurred. The Soviet Union will have a hard time
explaining this to the world
"
Leading Listin Diario wrote, "This merciless attack may be considered to be
a most grim and coldblooded warning, a warning to the world that if the
Soviet Union sees the strengthening of the NATO defense system as a threat,
the Soviet Union is prepared to unleash, without warning, it most most
powerful unculear attack on the nations bordering on the Communist world."
Papers in Kingston, Port of Spain, Bridgetown and Nassau gave front-page
coverage. The state-owned Guayana Chronicle of Georgetown carrined no news
on Friday on the incident. The state-owned monopoly radio station GBC on
Thursday ran a VOA report on Secretary Shultz's press statement.
AFRICA
ZAMBIA
Pravda Account, U.S. Reactions Used
Media yesterday reported factually on the incident, using wire service
material. The Government party-owned Times of Zambia in Lusaka yesterday
headlined a front-page item "International Outcry Over Missing Plane."
The article said "Western coauntries expressed outrage and some pilots'
associations said they might press for an interational anti-Soviet boycott
unless Moscow came up with a quick explanation of the episode."
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9/4/83
The Government-owned Zambian Daily Mail on Friday headlined AFP and Reuter
reports "Airline Shooting Barbaric.
"If Correct, Soviets Will Bear Heavy Responsiblity"
Radio Zambia in its principal morning broadcast yesterday, limited its very
brief report to a TASS item that a South Korean aircraft was involved in a
premeditated intelligence gathering activity. Radio Zambia also noted
countries like Italy have expressed their solidarity with South Korea.
TV Zambia on Friday evening provided Zambia's only comment to date.
Following a report on the incident, the announcer noted that "if the
preceeding information is correct then the Soviets will bear a heavy
responsibility for this action."
ZIMBABWE
Full Report of Secretary Shultz's Description of Soviet Action
The Herald of Harare on Friday, in addition to running a Reuter-AP article
on Secretary Shultz's claim of irrefutable evidence that the Soviet Union
shot down the South Korean airliner, also carried full report of his
description of the Soviet tracking and downing of the South Korean plane.
NIGERIA
Light Coverage for Third Straight Day
Coverage of the event and world reaction to the shooting down of the South
Korean airliner today remained light for the third straight day in Nigerian
media. There was no editorial comment in any Sunday paper.
Most complete coverage appeared in privately owned Sunday Sketch of Lagos
which devoted seven stories to various aspects of the incident. The Sunday
Times of Lagos reported on the Security Council meeting.
The Sunday Tribune, under headlines "USSR Indicted Over Down Plane,"
reported protests in Seoul because the Soviet Union had not acknowleged the
act and reaction in the United States and Japan. The Sunday Satellite of
Enuugu gave a summary of events through Friday evening.
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ZAIRE
"Widespread Indignation Thoughout the World"
Media in Kinshasha radio wire service items on the incident yesterday and
Friday. The Zaire news agency (ZAZP) carried an AFP-sourced item which was
also prominently featured by the French language dailies Elima and
Salongo. Elima headlined "There Is Widespread Indignation Thoughout the
World.
SOUTH AFRICA
"Melodrama of Modern Fiction Has Suddenly Become Real"
All papers front-paged yesterday reports of the incident. South African
Broadcasting Corporation radio ran it as top story. Typical headline was
"Red Jet Shoots Down Airliner" in the Afrikaans daily Beeld of Johannesburg.
The afternoon daily Star of Johannesburg, yesterday said, "Omimously, a
melodrama of modern fiction has suddenly become real The two superpowers
stand eyeball to eyeball in the most dramatic and frightening confrontation
since the Kennedy-Khruschev Cuban missile episode two decades ago.
The editorialist called the incident "the severest test for both Mr. Reagan
and Mr. Andropov since they assumed office, and how they react may well
affect East-West relations for a considerable time to come.
"Until the Russians provide some explanation for their extraordinary,
carefully plotted act of murder--and it is difficult to imagine what such
explanation could be--the words of the Speaker of the U.S. House of
Representatives, Congressman Tip O'Neill, stand unchallenged: 'This act of
airborne terrorism will not be forgotten or excused by decent people all
over the world.
Foreign Minster "Pik" Botha: "Senseless and Brutal Act"
Major South African papers yesterday quoted Foreign Minister "Pik" Botha as
saying, "There can be no excuse for it. It should not be tolerated. We in
South Africa join with people everywhere in expressing our revulsion on
this cowardly attack."
The Star of Johannesburg cited Conservative caucus chairman Howard Phillips
as saying, "There is great reason to consider that the purpose of the MIG
fighter was specifically to assassinate Congress Larry McDonald, who has
been a strong and effective adversary of Communist intelligence and
terrorist activities in the United States and throughout the free world."
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SPECIAL
Foreign Media
REPORT
Reaction
September 5, 1983
DOWNING OF SOUTH KOREAN PASSENGER PLANE - IV
Summary
Media in Western Europe and the Far East and other scattered areas
today led with the Washington disclosure that a U.S. reconnaissance
plane was in the general area at the time the KAL Boeing was downed by
Soviet MIGs.
Today's conservative Daily Telegraph held that "the belated American
admission
is certain to prove a windfall for Soviet propaganda
efforts.'
Lisbon's pro-Socialist Jornal de Noticias said the possibility that
the Soviet pilot thought he was shooting at a military plane "may
change the whole case and ridicule the worldwide accusations
=
Japanese television networks today broadcast White House spokesman
Speakes' statement that a U.S. RC-135 reconnaissance plane had flown
in the vicinity.
At the same time editorial writers devoted considerable speculation to
how the United States would and should respond. Correspondents in
Washington maintained the Administration would be restrained. Conser-
vative Frankfurter Allgemeine's correspondent said the President "had
expressed himself in favor of...a quiet, controlled but absolutely
firm" action.
Throughout the world, media tried to reason why the tragedy happened.
Many writers attributed it to world tensions. Hong Kong's independent
Ming Pao worried that the Soviets are "under severe tension, nervous-
ness and full of hostility with fingers always on the trigger
:
United States Information Agency
WESTERN EUROPE
BRITAIN
Presence of U.S. Reconnaissance Plane
The reported presence of a U.S. reconnaissance plane in the area at the
time of the Soviet attack on the South Korean passenger jet, made headlines
in all London papers today.
"U.S. Spy Jet 'Near Jumbo'"
Headlines said "Airliner Was Mistaken for American Spy Plane" and "Russian
Refusal to Accept Guilt at U.N. Proves Self-Defeating" (Times), "Russia
Hints Fighter Pilot Mistook His Target--U.S. Spy Plane Was Near Area of Jet
Attack" and "Sanctions in Difficulty" (Guardian), "Reagan Hints at 'Painful
Sanctions' -U.S. Spy Jet 'Near Jumbo'" and "Jumbo May Have Been Fleeing the
Russians" (Daily Telegraph), "No 'Major' Sanctions Against Moscow by U.S.
Over Airliner" (Financial Times) and "U.S. Had a Spy Plane There" (Daily
Mail).
"Soviets Admit Mistake"
Today's independent Times of London ran reports from correspondents that
"the Soviet Union indicated yesterday that it had mistaken the Korean
airliner
for an American spy plane with a similar outline
"U.S. Response Expected to Be Restrained"
"Despite strong language used by President Reagan to express his horror at
'this murder of innocent civilians,' the U.S. response is expected to be
restrained and largely limited to an international effort to condemn the
attack and take measures to make it safer to fly nearer the Soviet Union.
"In the White House it is recognized that the United States still has to do
business with the Soviet Union no matter how appalled Americans may be
"
"Soviet Classic Approach to Crisis Has Angered Diplomats"
Another report in the paper said, "Moscow's refusal to depart from the
classic Soviet approach to crisis, which seeks to place all blame on the
United States, has angered diplomats from a broad political spectrum at the
U.N. and has illustrated how diplomatically self-defeating the rigidity of
the Soviet system can be."
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White House's and Soviet General's Statements
Washington correspondent Harold Jackson wrote in today's liberal Guardian
that "the White House disclosed last night that an American military
reconnaissance aircraft had been flying off the Russian coast at the time
that the ill-fated Korean airliner was approaching and that the Soviet air
defense system had apparently been confused about the identity of the two
planes
"
"At the same time, the Chief of Staff of the Soviet Air Defense Command,
Colonel-General Semyon Romanov, said, in an account circulated by TASS,
that the Boeing 747 'flew with extinguished lights and its outlines
resembled those of the American Reconnaissance plane RC-135."
"Incident Encouraged 'Sense of Urgency' at Arms Talks"
The paper's Brussels correspondent reported today that the disaster
"encouraged a greater sense of urgency in NATO at the Geneva arms control
talks--a sentiment which was shared yesterday by the Soviet Union's
negotiator who called on the United States to seize this opportunity for
"
agreement
"Admission Is Windfall for Soviet Propaganda"
Today's conservative Daily Telegraph ran the report of Washington
correspondent Richard Beeston that "the Reagan Administration acknowledged
for the first time yesterday that the Soviet Union initially mistook a
Korean airliner for an American spy plane but insisted that by the time the
Korean jumbo jet was shot down its true identity was known
"The belated American admission
is certain to prove a windfall for Soviet
propaganda efforts to blame the episode on U.S. espionage activities
=
"Major Economic and Political Sanctions Ruled Out"
Today's Financial Times said, "President Reagan has ruled out 'major'
economic or political sanctions against the Soviet Union and instead is
seeking a 'calm but firm' response with the maximum international
backing
"
In an editorial the paper said, "Above all it would be wrong for sanctions
to be taken unilaterally by the United States
Other Soviet-U.S. and
East-West consultations, such as the arms talks in Geneva and the meeting
between Mr. Shultz and Mr. Gromyko, should go on because they are about
other issues
"
Nationalistic Daily Mail judged that "the startling White House admission
that there was an American reconnaissance plane around adds a new dimension
to the crisis
II
USIA/P/RM
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9/5/83
"Boeing Tragedy: Questions Without Answers"
Headlines in Paris today included "Reagan Prepares Sanctions" (France-Soir),
"Captain Chun Pushed the Wrong Button" (Le Matin), "Boeing Tragedy:
Questions Without Answers--Was South Korean Plane Conducting Espionage
Activities in Disdain for Safety of Its Passengers" (Communist Humanite)
and "Washington Wants to Internationalize Response to USSR" (Figaro).
"Crime Will Go Unpünished"
An editorial in today's mass appeal France-Soir asked, "What credit can be
but coldblooded killers?"
accorded to pacifist declarations of men (in the Kremlin) who are nothing
Today's conservative Quotidien de Paris expected that the "crime" will "go
unpunished because skillfully, knowledgeably and scientifically the Soviets
succeeded in distracting the attention of the world from the only obvious
important reality " in the affair--the coldblooded assassination of the 269
passengers
An editorial in Communist Humanite today said, "Four days after the
disappearance of the Boeing numerous questions remain unanswered. The
most often asked concerns the total silence of the Boeing crew during the
more than two hours if its deviation from its flight path
"
"Flagrant Act of Brutality Is Going to Slip By"
Leftist Liberation judged today, "It appears that the most flagrant act of
disturbing East-West relations.
brutality in the entire history of the cold war is going to slip by without
"All signs are that, despite a concert of curses flung at the Soviet Union,
the Western nations are disposed to writing off the 269 victims to the
profits and losses of the grand geopolitical maneuvers
ITALY
"Mosow Admits Possible Error"
Italian headlines today said "Moscow Admits 'Possible Error'" (Corriere
della Sera), "Did Military Hide From Andropov Decision to Shoot Down Jumbo
Jet?" (La Stampa), "Strong Measures Against Soviet Union--Reagan Will
Announce Them in Agreement With Allies" (Il Giornale), "Reagan Consults
Allies--Andropov Was Not Informed" (Il Messagero) and "Reagan Calls for
Blocking of All Flights for USSR" (Communist l'Unita).
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"U.S. Will Propose Suspension of Air Traffic to USSR"
Milan's centrist Corriere della Sera today ran the report of New York
correspondent Ugo Stille that "everything seems to confirm the prediction
that the President intends to propose to the allies the suspension
of
commercial air traffic with the USSR, and to link resumption to a
commitment from Moscow to 'ground rules' which will avoid in the future the
danger of a repetition of last week's incident
"Even INF Talks Cannot Be Unaffected"
An editorial in Turin's centrist La Stampa today said, "Even the most
specific and concrete of the East-West negotiations, the INF talks, cannot
be unaffected by the general climate.
"And this climate will be determined to a large measure by the tone of the
dialogue between the diplomatic chiefs of the superpowers, and most of all
by the explanations which Gromyko may or may not give about the attack
"
"It Was the System That Pushed the Button"
Milan's conservative Il Giornale in a front-page editorial today said,
"Either Andropov gave orders to the generals or the generals gave orders to
him. It doesn't change much because the system
is necessarily based on
unscrupulous military expansion. It was the system that pushed the
button
WEST GERMANY
"Thoughtful Reaction by Washington"
Among headlines today were "U.S. Considers Boycotting Soviet Aeroflot"
(Bonner Rundschau), "Reagan for Sanctions Against Aeroflot" (Frankfurter
Neue Presse), "Thoughtful Reaction by Washington--Disarmament Talks To Be
Continued" (Frankfurter Allgemeine), "Reagan: Geneva Discussion Must
Continue Despite Murder of 269 People" (Rheinische Post) and "USSR Claims
to Have Evidence of Intelligence Flight" (General-Anzeiger).
"President in Favor of Quiet
Firm Response"
Conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine led today with Washington correspondent
Jan Reifenberger's report that "President Reagan has expressed himself in
favor of dealing with the Soviet in a quiet, controlled but absolutely firm
way. He announced that the INF talks and START negotiations will be
continued
The United States also intends to adhere to the grain deal
"
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9/5/83
"President's View: Western Reaction Should Be Thoughtful"
Munich's pro-Social Democratic Sueddeutsche Zeitung ran a lead story by
Washington correspondent Klaus Arnsperger that "In President Reagan's view,
Western reaction should be marked by thoughtful determination.
"He said there is no justification for the 'murder of 269 people.
However, the white House indicated that U.S. Soviet relations will not be
frozen and the Geneva negotiations will continue
"
Bonn's conservative Die Welt held, in an editorial today, that "the most
important aspect is the provocation and its background: there is a power
struggle going on in Moscow
"
Independent General-Anzeiger of Bonn said, "President Reagan finds himself
confirmed in his view of the USSR. He can point to his military efforts
which keep the Soviet threat within limits.
"He need not resort to drastic sanctions to prove his firmness toward
Moscow. That is one explanation for his relatively mild but reasonable
"
response
NETHERLANDS
"U.S. Plane Near Boeing"
Headlines today included "U.S. Plane Was Near Boeing--Korean Plane Possibly
Confused With Spy Plane" (Algemeen Dagblad), "President Reagan Considers
Limiting Soviet Airspace" (De Volkskrant) and "American Plane In Area" (De
Telegraaf).
An editorial in today's conservative Algemeen Dagblad of Rotterdam,
pegged on the cancellation of a visit to Moscow by Dutch parliament-
arians, said, "By not going to Moscow, the Dutch delegation is sending a
clear signal to the Russians that the (airline incident) cannot be fobbed
off in the blunt way the Russians have done so far
"
FINLAND
A radio newscast in Helsinki today had a Washington report that "a U.S.
espionage plane was operating in the area" of the KAL tragedy. The report
said "U.S. intelligence officials" said the U.S. plane, however, left two
hours before the incident.
USIA?P/RM
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9/5/83
SWEDEN
"While Sweden Hunts Alien Submarines U.S. Pleads for Support"
Stockholm's liberal tabloid Expressen yesterday ran the headline "In Midst
of (new) Submarine Hunt, U.S. Pleads: 'Help Us Punish Soviets. ... The
paper said, "At the same time as the hunt for alien submarines was being
intensified President Reagan pleaded for support from Sweden and other
countries for concerted action to punish the soviet Union--a boycott
against Aeroflot.
"Sweden ought to participate, in view of all the submarines, a State
Department official told Expressen
"
PORTUGAL
Pro-Communist paper: "U.S. Responsible for Countless Bloody Acts"
Lisbon's pro-Communist O Diario held that "in the face of what is going on
it is important not to forget that the United States and its allied regimes
are responsible for countless events with bloody consequences (the Korean
war, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lebanon etc.)"
Pro-Socialist Jornal de Noticias yesterday said, "The possibility that the
Soviet pilot thought he was in the presence of a military aircraft without
navigation lights and which did not respond to radio warnings
may change
the whole case and ridicule the worldwide accusations of 'crime, 'barbar-
ism, 'paranoid act,' 'cowardly slaughter' and 'premeditated murder.
AUSTRIA
"Reagan Wants His Opinion of Soviets Reconfirmed"
Independent Die Presse of Vienna today had the observation of Washington
correspondent Georg Possanner that "the Reagan administration is trying to
make it clear that this catastrophe reconfirms the opinion it has held
about the Soviet Union since the very beginning
=
A columnist for the tabloid Kronen-Zeitung wrote that "there is only one
thing the Soviets should do--confess their guilt. Such behavior would be
becoming if they still want to be regarded as members of the community of
nations rather than as highwaymen of the air."
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TURKEY
"Bells of Danger Are Tolling"
Istanbul's popular Gunes today ran the headline "Soviets At Last Accept
Mass Murder." The paper ran front-page pictures comparing a Boeing jumbo
jet with a plane identified as an RC-135.
An editorial said, "The reports that the bells of danger are tolling for
the human race are not empty statements. A mistake by a pilot or a
calculation or a show of superiority rips the life away from hundreds.
ICELAND
"Soviets Trying to Cover Up With Cheap Statements"
In Reykjavik on Saturday, Althydubladid held, "This mass murder of
civilians by the Red Army awakens the disgust of the entire world.
"The Soviets are not trying to cover up this incident by just keeping
quiet, but they are trying CO cover up with scome cheap statements. "
Leading Morgunbladid said, "It is hard to understand what lies behind the
Soviet attack on the airliner. The act is totally inexcusable
The fact
that the airliner may have strayed into Soviet airspace does not allow them
to shoot it down
"
EASTERN EUROPE
BULGARIA
"There Are Questions that Remain to Be Answered"
In Sofia last night a television commentator read from a New York Times
story suggesting that "there are questions that remain to be answered
"
Communist Party paper Rabotnichesko devoted half the front-page today to
two TASS items on the incident accusing the U.S. of starting an anti-Soviet
propaganda campaign.
USIA/P/RM
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9/5/83
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC
JAPAN
Soviets Confirm Plane Shot Down by Air-to-air Missile
NHK-TV, TBS-TV and Fuji-TV today focused attenion on an AP report from
Moscow which said a Soviet source has confirmed for the first time that the
KAL jumbo was shot down by an air-to-air missile. The network said the
source stated that the order to shoot down the Korean airliner was given by
top military brass in Moscow.
Speakes Says U.S. R-135 Had Flown in Vicinity
The networks also carried reports from Washington which said White House
Deputy Press Secretary Larry Speakes has stated that a U.S. RC-135 recon-
naissance plane had flown in the vicinity of the KAL plane's course one or
two hours before the incident, indicating, according to the networks,
the possibility of the Soviets' mistaking the jumbo for the RC-135.
Foreign Ministry To Press Soviets to Disclose Facts
Liberal Asahi today reported that Chief Cabinet Secretary Gotoda, who is
acting Foreign Minister, met officials of the Ministry to discuss counter-
measures. The report said the Foreign Ministry has confirmed its policy of
strongly pressing the Soviet Union to disclose the facts of the incident
and to cooperate on research operations.
In order to draw out a reply from the Soviet side, Asahi said the Foreign
Ministry has decided to (1) study joint action with the United States in
seeking permission to enter Soviet territorial waters to conduct U.S.-
Japan search activities and (2) not to carry out sanctions against the
Soviet Union.
Moderate Yomiuri today said Prime Minister Nakasone has stated that Japan
will strongly purse Soviet responsibility through close contacts with the
United States and South Korea.
"Soviets Should Cooperate in Search for Passengers and Crew"
The Tokyo Shinbum in an editorial today said, "If the Soviet Union does not
admit its mistake on the shooting down of the KAL plane and continues to
take an insincere attitude toward international opinion which seeks
clarification of the truth, future East-West relations will be seriously
affected."
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"An agreement must be reached at the U.S.-Soviet disarmament negotiations
because this is of top importance. While continuing to pursue Soviet
responsibility for shooting down the Korean airliner, it is necessary on
the other hand to promote calm diplomacy toward the Soviet Union on other
issues."
The paper said that_ "the stand taken" by the United States and Japan in not
imposing sanctions against the Soviet Union "is proper and we give our full
support.
"The first step the Soviet Union must take is to reveal all the facts
The Soviet Union should then cooperate in the Japanese search for the
passengers and the crew
and compensate the families of the victims as
well as make maximum efforts to prevent recurrence of such incidents."
"Mutual Sincerity and Honesty Are Needed at Madrid"
Liberal Asahi in an editorial on the Madrid CSCE conference said today,
"The KAL incident could lead to East-West exchanges at the Madrid talks.
Mutual sincerity and honesty are needed the most to regain confidence and
overcome the present ordeal. We especially hope that Foreign Minister
Gromyko will keep this in mind."
HONG KONG
Reagan to Announce Sanctions Against USSR
Most independent papers today front-paged AP reports that President Reagan
is to announce sanctions against the USSR.
"Will Never Escape the Judgment of History"
Center-right Wah Kiu Yat Po in an editorial today said, "This savage act of
'aerial massacre' will forever be hated by God, be forever reviled by the
whole world and will never escape the judgment of history."
"USSR Conducting Secret Military Activities in the Far East?"
The independent Hong Kong Daily in an editorial today asked, "Is the USSR
conducting some secret military activities or deployment near northern
Japan or the Far East?"
Whether or not the downing of the Korean airliner was to conceal any move
of Soviet missiles to the Far East, the paper concluded, "At least it
contains a sting toward Japan's increase in its military posture, and to
show its colors toward the Sino-Soviet talks which are about to resume."
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"Moscow Has Single-handedly Changed Its Own Image"
Center-right Sing Tao Jin Pao said in an editorial today that Moscow "has
single-handedly changed its own image and put itself in an extremely
isolated position." The paper said the incident allows everyone to learn
how "not to entertain any illusions about the expansionist USSR" and "begin
a relentless attack against 'Great Russian Expansionism.
"Soviet Fingers Always on the Trigger"
Independent Ming Pao in an editorial today said the Soviet Union gave
orders to fire on the Korean airliner "because they are constantly under
severe tension, nervousness and full of hostility, ready to fight any time,
with fingers always on the trigger, monitoring their imagined enemies day
and night, their every moment waiting for enemies to descend from the air
or rush in from the sea, palpitating with anxiety and fear, treating every
bush and tree as an enemy."
Such a state of mind, said the editorial, is extremely "abnormal" and
"greater disasters can be concealed behind such a mentality.
"A Missile, a Commercial Airliner Exposed Soviet Hegemonism"
Pro-PRC Ching Po said on Saturday that "on certain questions and at certain
times, the USSR adopts a conciliartory posture, but in fact there is no
change in its basic hegemonism. One missile and one commercial airliner
exposed the 'hegemonist' air of the Soviet Union."
"Shameful Brand on Soviet Communism"
Mass appeal independent Sing Pao Daily News said at least the Chinese
Communists have issued indirect criticism. "The shooting down of a
commercial airlines and the killing of over 200 people is a shameful brand
on Soviet Communism."
JAKARTA
Indonesian Government: "An Act Beyond Humanity"
Papers today reported Foreign Minister Mochtar Kusumaatmadja's statement,
after a meeting with President Soeharto, that the incident was "an act
beyond humanity" and that "the Soviet Government is fully responsibile.
He added that the tragedy was all the more regrettable "because the Soviet
Union, with its modern and sophisticated technological equipment, has all
the capability to prevent such a tragedy from occurring.'
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"Shocking and Repulsive"
The pro-Government English language Indonesia Times said in an editorial
today, "Shooting down of an unarmed civilian plane with SO many passengers
and crew is certainly cruel and inhuman and in violation of human rights
and civilized human conduct.
"Whatever, the reason, it should not have been done. It is shocking and
repulsive."
"All Countries of the World Strongly Condemn This Incident"
Military-oriented Berita Yudha commented, "It is not surprising that all
countries of the world strongly condemn this incident. More than a few
stamp it as a barbaric act, uncivilized.'
SOUTH ASIA
INDIA
"Indian Reaction Sounded Ludicrous"
The Chandigarh Tribune, in an editorial today, said, "Among the inter-
national reactions the official Indian comment was conspicuous for what
could only be described as fumbling nonalignment or, if a more charitable
view were to be taken, deplorably poor draftsmanship. As things turned out
the Indian reaction sounded ludicrous."
SRI LANKA
"What If the Plane Had Belonged to a U.S. Airline?"
The Government-owned English language Daily News wrote today, "The event
has certainly not left its perpetators with any psychological or moral
advantage. It is clear that the world stands outraged
"Explanations can sometimes be more painful than the error they seek to
excuse.
"Even more fateful could be the caution which the shooting raises against
the possiblity of triggering off a greater missile catastrophe.
There are many observers today asking themselves what might have followed
if the plane had belonged to a U.S. airline."
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BANGLADESH
"Soviet Image Blackened for Many Days to Come"
The New Nation of Dahka in an editorial yesterday said, "The Soviets have
not reacted satisfactorily to the mounting world pressure by even as much
as giving their whole facts, whatever their merit, of the incident. Why?
"However the wheels of international justice may turn and the Soviets be
made to make amends, the way the sensibilities of fairminded people all
over the world has been outraged is sure to keep the Soviet image blackened
for many days to come."
Pro-Government Ittefaq said, "The Soviet Union, by destroying a defenseless
passenger aircraft, violated the international airspace law as well as the
principle of general international peace and coexistence."
"Afghanistan Precedent for Soviets' Barbarous Masssacre"
Sangram commented, "There is precedent that only the Soviets can commit
such barbarous act of masssacre--not in air, but on land. Those who can
indiscriminately kill the innocent people of Afghanistan for no offense
also can hurl a missile to down a civilian passenger carrier plane.' "
NEPAL
Foreign Ministry: "Loss of Innocent Lives Was Indeed Deplorable"
Media today carried a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman's statement
that "the reported shooting was both tragic and disturbing. Although the
plain facts are yet to be ascertained, the incident leading to the loss of
269 innocent lives on board the aircraft, if correct, was deplorable."
"World Must Strongly Protest"
Pro-PRC Naya Nepal Current yestrerday wrote, "By such an inhuman and cruel
action the Soviet Union has earned a great deal of hatred and anger from
the people of the world
track, it is important that the world must strongly protest and the same
In order to bring the Soviets back on the right
time not cooperate with the Soviets."
The independent weekly Valley News and Views today said, "Even given the
box benefit of the doubt, this ugly international tragedy opens up a Pandora's
of unlimited possibilities of the mighty."
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SRI LANKA
"What If the Plane Had Belonged to a U.S. Airline?"
The Government-owned English language Daily News wrote today, "The event
has certainly not left its perpetators with any psychological or moral
advantage. It is clear that the world stands outraged
"Explanations can sometimes be more painful than the error they seek to
excuse.
"Even more fateful could be the caution which the shooting raises against
the possiblity of triggering off a greater missile catastrophe.
There are many observers today asking themselves what might have followed
if the plane had belonged to a U.S. airline."
MIDDLE EAST
JORDAN
Papers Recall Downing of Libyan Plane by Israelis in 1973
The Jordan Times of Amman today described the incident as "shocking and
worrisome" but warned again "the further sharpening of the already tense
international situation following the tragedy."
While condemning "whoever is responsible," the paper added "it is incon-
ceivable for us to understand the U.S. total obsession with the use of big
stick diplomacy in every problem except that of the Palestinians."
Recalling an incident over the Sinai in 1973 when a Libyan airliner was
shot down by Israeli fighters, the paper asked, "Does Washington remember
its reaction then? Did the Americans contemplate imposing sanctions
against the Zionist state for its ugly crime?"
Independent ar-Ray yesterday warried a byliner's assertion that "no human
being can condone the shooting However, this crusade against the Soviet
Union is inexplicable to us Arabs who suffered the downing of a Libyan
airline by Israeli fighters in 1973 and no such crusade was launched
against the Zionist state."
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LATIN AMERICA
BRAZIL
Sao Paulo Newspapers Quote President Reagan
Leading O Estado de Sao Paulo and Folha de Sao Paulo yesterday both cited
the President's statement that the USSR continues to distort the truth and
that the Soviets still owe the world "explanations and apologies for this
act of brutality
"This Tragedy Will Have Results"
Liberal Folha de Sao Paulo carried a Paris correspondent's conclusions
yesterday that "the tragedy and crime of the Boeing will result in destroy-
ing all the efforts made by the Soviet Government to show its intention to
negotiate with a tough adversary, the United States
"The Pershing missiles will now definitely be installed in Europe, the
Geneva conference will not progress a single step and Japan will finally be
prepared to adhere to adhere to the U.S. system of military defense. From
now on, the Soviet Union is really besieged."
TV: "I Hope the World Shows Its Repudiation"
TV Cultura's foreign policy commentator yesterday emphasized "worldwide
condemnation of the act of barbarism committed by the USSR."
Asserting that the downing of the airliner resulted from centralized Soviet
command, the commentator called it "a typical act of barbarism, a criminal
act. The USSR intentionally despised those human lives and shot the plane
down. It was a crime against mankind. The 269 lives were sacrificed on
behalf of a supposed political principle and of a domestic security which
was not at stake. I hope the world shows its repudiation of Moscow's
attitude.'
=
ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires Papers Carry Korean Communique
Yesterday, leading La Nacion and La Prensa carried the text of the South
Korean Embassy's communique that "in this case, humanitarian considerations
were laid aside in order to adjust to rigid military instructions..
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"Kremlin's Savage Act Not Surprising"
Conservative La Prensa yesterday ran an article by a byliner who
maintained: "It is a general mistake in the West to feel surprised or
indignant. The destruction of the Korean airliner would have been
appalling had it been the work of a civilized or indifferently civilized
regime
"But the Moscow regime is not civilized, even indifferently
It does not
try to be. It is a regime made up of savages whose first and preferred
victims are their own people
"
"If All Countries Acted as the Soviet Union Did
11
Yesterday's conservative La Nacion held that "the Soviet charge that the
United States Government was using the plane for espionage purposes is
childish, to say the least. Considering the extraordinary resources
available to the big powers for espionage, it is difficult to conceive of
such rudimentary methods
"Even if the charge were true, one cannot understand why the Soviet Union,
with its impressive defensive and offensive technological arsenal, was
unable to prevent the alleged mission in some other way
"If all countries in the world were to act as the Soviet Union did
the
hard-earned safety of airliners would disappear
H
CHILE
"Difference Between Soviet Words and Deeds"
Yesterday's conservative El Mercurio in Santiago cited President Reagan to
the effect that the people of the world should perceive the "difference
between Soviet words and deeds" from its action in downing the Korean plane.
"Many Information Gaps in What We Know"
An editorial in Saturday's La Nacion of Santiago could find no legitimate
explanation for the Soviet action but asked a number of questions. It
said:
"
There are many information gaps in what we know to date. Planes
are constantly in touch with a communications center. They never fly on
their own, never blindly. There is always a center, a control tower that
knows everything that is happening on board.
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"Is it that such centers in Anchorage, Tokyo or Seoul knew nothing at the
time? On the other hand, through U.S. Naval and Japanese land intelli-
gence, we know what was said by the Soviet pilots of the eight fighter-
bombers which flanked the Korean jumbo jet?
"
COLOMBIA
"Soviet Arms to Be Used, Not to Maintain Peaceful Equilibrium"
In Bogota yesterday, conservative El Siglo carried a byliner's comment that
"the terrible, unjustified and perfidious attack on a commercial Korean
airliner by a Soviet fighter is a clear and precise warning by the hammer
and sickle to all of the Western world that the arms they have are not for
the purpose of maintaining a peaceful equilibrium
but to be used in
whatever circumstances, including against defenseless passengers
"President Reagan is right when he deploys U.S. military power with the
vision that he has regarding international problems. He knows that Russian
intentions go much further than the words they use in international forums.' "
PERU
"A Repulsive Crime"
Pro-Government Expreso of Lima yesterday editorialized under the title
"Genocide in the Air" and declared: "There can exist no justification for
such a repulsive crime, not even the fact that a defenseless plane overflew
security zones, since it was not only evident that it was a matter of a
navigational error but also that its passing over territory controlled by
the USSR did not represent a threat of attack
"The plane was an unarmed, vulnerable, commercial, passenger airliner
"
ECUADOR
"Shows the Terrible Vulnerability to Atomic Holocaust"
Center-left La Razon of Quito yesterday pointed out that "what just
happened to the Korean plane with premeditation and in cold blood
seems
to reflect the disappearance of the most basic sense of humanity
=
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PARAGUAY
Stroessner Letter to President Reagan
In Asuncion Saturday, Colorado Party newspaper Patria carried a letter from
President Alfredo Stroessner to President Reagan expressing "our most
energetic condemnation and repudiation of this brutal episode
PANAMA
Utlimate Danger of Soviet "Tension, Fear and Excessive Zeal"
A commentator said on Panamanian TV Friday that the incident resulted from
"the tension among those who guard the Soviet borders and of the fear and
excessive zeal of the Soviets on foreign planes flying over their area.
"May the terrible tragedy serve for reflection on what might happen on
the day that zeal, error or lack of communication precipitates a nuclear
attack."
AFRICA
TANZANIA
News Coverage of UN Debate
Today's official Daily News of Dar es Salaam carried news coverage of the
U.N. debate under the headline "UN Discusses Korean Plane.' It devoted two
paragraphs to a Soviet TASS report that Soviet radar operators may have
mistaken the airliner for a U.S. Air Force plane resembling the Boeing 747.
ZAIRE
"Has Shocked Human Conscience"
In Kinshasa today, the Zaire news agency (AZAP) had the Government's
statement that the Soviet action resulted "in the deaths of hundreds of
innocent persons in violation of international law and morals."
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The paper said Zaire had sent a message of sympathy to the Government and
people of South Korea and to the families of the victims and had condemend
the shooting down of the plane as an action that "has shocked human
conscience" and that comes at a time "when international relations are
already tense, leading, in turn, to mistrust, violence and insecurity in
the international community."
SWAZILAND
"World Outrage Over Downing of Airliner"
The Swazi News yesterday devoted a page to the incident under the headline
"World Outrage Over Downing of Airliner." The Swazi Observer's headline
for a Reuters article was "South Korea Demands Apology from Soviet Union."
LESOTHO
"Darkest Cloud" Over U.S. Soviet Relations Since Afghanistan
Radio Lesotho's morning news program on Friday provided a compendium of
expressions of outrage from world capitals. Among those quoted were Figaro
of Paris, reports from Tokyo and New York. The radio commented that the
incident had provoked the "darkest cloud" over U.S.-Soviet relations since
the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.
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