DATE=4/21/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-230016
TITLE=ARABS / TERROR PACT (S OVERNIGHTER)
BYLINE=DOUGLAS ROBERTS
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  ARAB JUSTICE AND INTERIOR MINISTERS MEET WEDNESDAY IN 
CAIRO, WHERE THEY ARE EXPECTED TO SIGN A NEW AGREEMENT PLEDGING 
STEPPED-UP EFFORTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM.  V-O-A'S 
DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS FROM THE EGYPTIAN CAPITAL.

TEXT:  THE PROPOSED ANTI-TERRORISM PACT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF 
PERIODIC NEGOTIATIONS AMONG ARAB GOVERNMENTS FOR MORE THAN A 
DECADE.  DIFFERENCES OVER THE DEFINITION OF TERRORISM AND OTHER 
ISSUES HAVE IN THE PAST BLOCKED AGREEMENT ON THE PROPOSAL.  BUT 
EGYPT'S OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY SAYS ALL ARAB GOVERNMENTS HAVE NOW 
ACCEPTED THE ACCORD.

ARAB NEWSPAPER REPORTS SAY IT WILL COMMIT THE SIGNATORIES TO 
SHARE INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION AND TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT 
TERRORIST GROUPS FROM PLANNING OR LAUNCHING ATTACKS AGAINST OTHER
ARAB STATES.

IT ALSO REPORTEDLY REQUIRES ARAB GOVERNMENTS TO DENY REFUGE TO 
TERRORIST SUSPECTS, AND ESTABLISHES A COMMON ARAB POLICY 
DEMANDING THE EXTRADITION OF ARAB TERRORISTS OPERATING FROM EXILE
IN EUROPE AND ELSEWHERE.

THE ACCORD REPORTEDLY MAKES AN EXCEPTION FOR GROUPS LIKE 
HIZBOLLAH IN LEBANON,  WHICH IS ENGAGED IN WHAT VIRTUALLY ALL 
ARAB GOVERNMENTS CONSIDER A LEGITIMATE STRUGGLE AGAINST ISRAELI 
OCCUPATION.  (SIGNED) 

NEB/DBR/JWH

21-Apr-98 1:56 PM EDT (1756 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.