U.S.-Libyan clash deemed unlikely

Press, 13 February 1986, Page 10

U.S.-Libyan clash deemed unlikely

NZPA-Reuter Washington United States 6th Fleet warships and carrierbased jets began Mediterranean manoeuvres yesterday near the disputed Gulf of Sirte, which ■is claimed by Libya. In a continuing war of nerves with the Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gadaffi — who Washington accuses of backing terrorism —• Administration officials said Navy units had begun the previously announced exercise after 1 p.m. (N.Z.T.)

The manoeuvres, scheduled to end on Sunday are the second 6th Fleet exercises north of Libya in less than two weeks. There were no confrontations during the week of exercises that ended on January 30. The United States announced the new fleet movements on Tuesday. They include the aircraftcarriers Saratoga and Coral Sea, which carry a total of 170 aircraft, and the ’ cruiser Yorktown, armed with anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles. Libyan jets and patrol boats are also conducting

manoeuvres in the area between February 8 and February 18. American officials said Libyan MIG2S and American carrier-based Tomcat jets had flown in sight of each other on Monday without incident.

The Pentagon refused to say how many American ships were taking part in the exercises. Administration officials said there were no immediate plans for any of the 32 6th Fleet ships to sail into the Gulf of Sirte, which the United States says is in international waters. The Administration officials left open the possibility that American aircraft might fly into the gulf during the manoeuvres. Colonel Gadaffi has drawn a “line of death” just north of gulf waters. Tensions between Tripoli and Washington have increased since December 27, when Arab guerrillas launched attacks on the Rome and Vienna airports. Twenty people were killed.

Colonel Gaddafi has denied American allegations charges that he was responsible for the at-

tacks. He initially praised the guerrillas. He has said that if the United States attacks Libya he will start a war.

American officials say there are about 20 United States warships and a dozen support vessels in the Mediterranean and 28

Soviet Navy ships — seven of them warships — in the region. Washington has accused Moscow of providing Intelligence to Libya on United States Navy operations in the area. Navy officials said yesterday that the flagship of the Soviet Mediterranean fleet, a Don-Class submarine tender, remained docked in Tripoli. Pentagon officials said that the American and Libyan manoeuvres did not mean that the possibilities of a clash had increased.

“That zone (in which Tripoli flight controllers watch over commercial air traffic) is a huge area and it’s possible for a lot of people to operate in there without getting in each other’s way,” said a Pentagon spokesman, Robert Sims.