FOREIGN MEDIA REACTION TO THE DOWNING OF THE KAL FLIGHT # 007

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R001201930058-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 22
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 1, 2008
• Sequence Number: 58
• Publication Date: September 2, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

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United Stares Office of the Director
Information
Agency
September 2
MEMORANDUM FOR: All Cabinet Members
FROM: Charles Z. Wick 'j1'
SUBJECT Foreign Media Reaction to the Downing
of the KAL Flight # 007
Attached you will find a synthesis of the foreign media reaction to
the Soviet shoot down of Korean Airlines Flight #007. We will be
distributing these reports daily until further notice.
USIA
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-DISTRIBUTION LIST
The Vice President
The White House
The Honorable -
Edwin Meese III
Counselor to the President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
The Honorable
William French Smith
Attorney General
Washington, D.C. 20530
The Honorable
William E. Brock
U.S. Trade Representative
Washington, D.C.
The Honorable
Judge William P. Clark, Jr.
Assistant to the President.for
National Security Affairs
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
The Honorable
Michael K. Deaver
Deputy Chief of Staff and
Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
The Honorable
Jeane J. Kirkpatrick
U.S. Representative to
United Nations
Washington, D.C.
The Honorable
James A. Baker III
Chief of Staff and
Assistant to the
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
The Honorable
David A. Stockman
Director, OMB
Washington, D.C.
The Honorable
William J. Casey
Director, CIA
Washington, D.C.
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The Honorable
George Shultz
Secretary of State
Washington, D.C.-20520
The Honorable
Elizabeth Dole
Secretary of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
The Honorable
Donald P. Hodel
Secretary of Energy
Washington, D.C. 20585
The Honorable
James G. Watt
Secretary of the Interior
Washington, D.C. 20240
The Honorable
Caspar W. Weinberger
Secretary of Defense
Washington, D.C. 20530
The Honorable
John R. Block
Secretary of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250
The Honorable
Malcolm Baldrige
Secretary of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230
The Honorable
Raymond J. Donovan
Secretary of Labor
Washington, D.C. 20210
The Honorable
Donald T. Regan
Secretary of the Treasury
Washington, D.C. 20220
The Honorable
Margaret M. Heckler
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Washington, D.C. 20201
The Honorable
Samuel R. Pierce, Jr.
Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development
Washington, D.C. 20410
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SPECIAL Foreign Media
REPORT" Reaction
September 2, 1983
Summary
Media around the world reacted with headline expressions of revulsion and
condemnation to the Soviet shooting down of a South Korean passenger plane
and the death of 269 people.
President Reagan's and Secretary of State Shultz's reaction to the incident
received extensive coverage in many capitals.
Typical of West European headlines were "Massacre in the Sky" (London Daily
Mail), "Murder in the Skies" (La Repubblica of Rome) and "Prompt Indigna-
tion From White House" (Le Mat-11n of Paris).
Electronic media in Western Europe led the way with extensive coverage last
night of Secretary of State Shultz's press conference. Some papers carried
his remarks in their entirety on page one. The press conference led some
observers, such as a correspondent for Rome's GR-1 radio and a writer for
Milan's prestigious Corriere della Sera, to characterize the U.S. reaction
as "prudent" and "restrained."
At the same time, commentators and editorial writers in many places saw the
incident as "plunging" East-West relations to their lowest ebb since the
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and even since the Cuban missile crisis.
Some editorial writers saw the incident as "ruining detente" and putting
the arms reduction talks in jeopardy. In Bonn, conservative Die Welt
wondered if "the Kremlin rulers are still seriously interested in an
understanding on the problem of arms..."
Still other observers agreed with the conservative Quotidien de Paris that
"when a nation reaches that extreme" of attacking a passenger plane "it
casts off its mask and shows its true face...that of a barbarous nation."
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"We React With Revulsion"
Headlines in London today said "Shultz Press Conference: 'We React With
Revulsion to This Attack'" (Times), "Reagan Calls in Security Team After
Jet Disaster" and "Moscow Says It Went to Help" (Guardian), "Revulsion at
Attack" (Daily Tele rah), "Shultz Accuses Moscow--'We React With Revulsion
to This Attack'" (Financial Times), "Massacre in the Sky" (Daily Mail) and
"Midair Murder by Reds" (Sun).
In London, Secretary Shultz's press conference dominated all television and
radio news bulletins last night and this morning. All bulletins broadcast
most, if not all, of the Shultz statement. This morning's news program led
with the report that President Reagan is returning to Washington.
"U.S.-Soviet Relations Set to Plunge to New Low"
The independent London Times front-paged the text of the Shultz press
conference. The paper's lead story said, "Soviet and American leaders were
facing a new crisis today.... President Reagan is returning to Washington
from holiday in California and President Andropov was believed to have cut
short his holiday to return to Moscow. U.S.-Soviet relations looked set to
plunge to their lowest-point since the invasion of Afghanistan."
"Storm Over Plane Will Wreck Hopes of Thaw in Relations"
Conservative Daily Telegraph's lead story said, "Diplomats in Washington
consider that the storm over the airliner's destruction will wreck recent
hopes of a thaw in East-West relations and badly damage the Kremlin's
'peace' campaign."
In an editorial the same paper said, "The shooting down, confirmed as fact
by the ever cautious and professional Mr. George Shultz, is a crime, simply
and categorically that...
"The President and Mr. Shultz should ignore all the temptations of
feebleness. If they wanted proof that in no particular can the Soviets be
trusted to behave like even tangential members of civilization, they have
it."
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Incident "Sank East-West Relations Into Crisis"
Today's nationalistic Daily Mail said the incident "sank East-West
relations into crisis.... Pentagon sources said that the Russians
established that the Korean plane was a civilian airliner and then
deliberately destroyed it..."
In an editorial, the paper said, "The Russians' apparently ruthless
action... should serve as a sharp reminder to those in Britain who never
cease harping on the peaceful intentions of the USSR..."
An editorial in the sensationalistic Sun declared, "It was murder and
murder on a grand scale. We must renounce forever the willful theories of
the CND (peace demonstrators) that we can strip ourselves of our defenses
before treating with the Communist empire."
"Comrade Strangelove"
Paris television last night led with the plane incident and Secretary
Shultz's press conference. The story dominated all front pages today.
Headlines said "Comrade Strangelove" (Liberation), "Prompt Indignation from
White House" (Le Matin), "260 Victims in red ink)" (Quotidien de Paris),
"USSR Owes Explanation-to World" (Figaro), "269 Passengers Assassinated in
Midair" (France-Soir) and "French Government Demands Explanation--U.S.
Quickly Sends Five F-15s to North of Japan" (Communist Humanite).
"Nothing Can Excuse Deliberate Assassination"
Conservative Figaro said, "Nothing can excuse the deliberate assassination
perpetrated in midair.... There are ways to reason with a suspect aircraft
and to force it to land. Numerous precedents exist.
"The insolent explanation of the incident furnished by TASS only underlines
the obnoxious character of the crime.
"President Reagan figures the Soviet Union owes an explanation to the
world. We are part of that world..."
"No Apology. . .Not the Slightest Sensitivity"
Leftist Liberation said, "One will note that the Soviet leaders, more than
24 hours after the plane was shot down, still were not recognizing the
facts, had made no apology to the families of the victims, not the
slightest sensitivity...
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"This characterizes the USSR...more eloquently than any speeches..."
"USSR Shows Its True Face"
Conservative Quotidien judged that "Whatever the motives, when a nation
reaches this extreme it casts off its mask and shows its true face, its
profound nature.. It shows it is a barbarous nation..."
"Shultz: 'We Are Horrified'"
Headlines included "Grave Charge from Washington--Sudden Crisis in Detente
Process" (Corriere della Sera), "Murder in the Skies--Strangelove at Work.
Shultz: We Are Horrified" La Repubblica), "Attack Called Deliberate and
Unjustified by Shultz" (I1 Giornale), "Russia Accused of Massacre" (I1
Tempo) and "Moscow Talks Only of Intercepting in Its Air.-space" (Communist
1'Unita).
"U.S. Is Showing Restraint"
New York correspondent Antonello Marescalchi reported on left-leaning GR-1
radio this morning that the United States "is showing restraint and gives
evidence it does not want to impair the negotiating process."
Milan's centrist Corriere della Sera said in a lead editorial that "even if
the plane had violated Soviet airspace, this is not enough to justify what
happened. -
"In these last few hours the hope for a resumption of detente may be
completely ruined..."
"Prudent Stance of U.S. State Department"
New York correspondent Ugo Stille wrote in the same paper, "Shultz's
decision to show up in person in the press room of the State Department is
an indication of the seriousness of the event...
"The hawks in Washington are already (at work) to underline that the attack
confirms the impossibility and uselessness of any 'detente' with Moscow.
"But the prudent stance of the State Department aims at preventing
emotional reaction from compromising the negotiating process with the USSR,
particularly on disarmament..."
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"Strangelove at Work"
Leftist, influential La Repubblica featured an editorial titled "Strange-
love at Work"-and observed that the incident will have "dire consequences...
on East-West relations and particularly on the Geneva negotiations.
"The Secretary of State, in his emotion and concern, has prudently ruled
out direct responsibility of the Soviet Government in the event. But this
caution does not change the terms of the problem. And the problem is the
nature of the order given once and for all to the Soviet military apparatus
and its incomparable inflexibility."
Washington correspondent Marino de Medici wrote in today's conservative Il
Tempo of Rome, "A deliberate mass murder. There is no other word to define
the cold, ruthless order given to the pilot of the Soviet MIG which was in
visual contact with the airplane..."
"Obsession With Security Makes Us Insecure"
Communist l'Unita of Rome asserted that "the downing of the plane on the
basis of ruthless defense of airspace... would be an unjustifiable episode...
"The tension and nervousness of the international situation... must have
reached a very high degreee if airspace violations or the loss of an air
route caused such reckless and unexplainable reactions.
"This international tension...the obsession with security that becomes a
stockpiling of weapons, makes us live in insecurity..."
"No Use Talking Peace"
Conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine said today, "There is no use talking
peace if one always doubts the basic peacefulness of others and resorts to
shooting whenever an aircraft gets off course..."
"Is Kremlin Still Interested in Understanding on Arms Negotiations?"
An editorial in today's conservative Die Welt of Bonn maintained that "the
coldbloodedness of the crime gives rise to the question whether the Kremlin
rulers still are seriously interested in an understanding on the problem of
arms reduction.
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"The United States has adequately reacted to this incident, which is one of
the most serious since the Cuban missile crisis. Washington, obviously,
does not preclude serious consequences. Secretary Shultz asked the
ambassadors of. NATO countries to discuss the situation with him..."
"Convincing Evidence of Mass Murder"
Pro-Christian Democratic Rheinische Post of Duesseldorf said the incident
was "unprecedented in the history of aviation. There is no excuse for it.
convincing evidence of this mass murder was available last night. It made
the Kremlin rulers speechless for hours."
"Why Has USSR Dropped Mask of Civilized Nation?"
Pro-Christian Democratic Frankfurter Neue Presse observed, "The coincidence
is macabre, but it apparently is not just coincidence: on anti-war day
commemorating the outbreak of World War II, the USSR coldbloodedly shot
down a civilian aircraft carrier with 269 passengers aboard...
"The question now is why the USSR dropped its mask of a civilized, peace-
loving big power at such a critical moment of East-West disarmament
negotiations.
"Until the opposite is proved, one can assume only that this was a calcu-
lated act to impress other countries and to make them afraid of Soviet
readiness to fight..."
In West Berlin, independent Tagesspiegel held, "The fate of the Korean
airliner ...was no tragedy caused by a chain of errors, misunderstanding or
by an act of providence. It was simply caused by human meanness..."
Moscow Correspondent First Uses, Then Drops U.S. "Allegations"
The shooting down of the South Korean airliner was top story on radio and
TV last night and this morning and received very heavy play in the press
today.
TV news twice last night carried actualities of Secretary Shultz's
statement, plus extensive reports from Washington and Tokyo.
Norwegian radio and TV's Moscow correspodent in his first reports last
night talked about U.S. "allegations," but later dropped the word, focusing
instead on the absence of Soviet media coverage of the incident.
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"There Is No Excuse for Such an Act"
In electronic media, Prime Minister Kaare Willoch was quoted as saying that
"only the strongest words can be used in our reaction to those responsible
for this."
Foreign Minister Svenn Stray was cited as stating that "if the American
information is correct--and unfortunately there is no reason to doubt it is
correct--the Norwegian Government will condemn what has happened.
"There is no excuse for such an act. This is one of the most serious
violations of all the agreements which have been signed by the USSR. The
Norwegian Government is also concerned over the effect of this matter on
the international situation."
TV news reported that the chairman of the Norwegian Labor Party said:
"This is a grotesque act and a serious attack on accepted principles of
international conduct." Defense Minister Anders C. Sjaastad said, "This is
shocking. There can be absolutely no excuse for shooting down an airliner."
"Entire World Condemns USSR"
Headlines in Oslo today included "U.S. Considers Sanctions" and "Soviet
Union Assumes No Responsbility" and "Kremlin in a Jam, Admits Nothing"
(conservative Aftenposten), "Entire World Condemns USSR," "This Is How It
Happened: Coldblooded Cold Murder," "Norwegian Pilot: Incredible" and
"Controversial U.S Politician Killed" (sensationalist liberal Dagbladet),
"Montrous Act (Labor Party affiliated Arbeiderbladet) and "This Is
Inexcusable" (Christian Peoples Party Vaart Land).
"Deeply Shocked World Vents Fury at Soviet Union"
All Copenhagen dailies, national television and radio gave wide coverage
last night and this morning to the tragedy. Banner headlines described the
world as shocked. Danish television last night led its newscast with a
complete transmission of Secretary Shultz's press conference statement.
Headlines today included "Security Council to Convene--U.S. Strongly
Condemns Brutal Shooting Down" (Berlingske Tidende), "Deeply Shocked World
Vents Fury at Soviet Union. No Explanation Can Excuse Shooting Down of
Passenger Plane" (Aktuelt) and "In Coldblood--269 Civilians Shot to Death
by Russian Missile' B.T.).
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"Appalling Tragedy Without Parallel in Times of Peace"
Conservative Berli,pgske Tidende in a editorial today said, "The shooting
down of the Korean airliner is an appalling tragedy so inhumane that it
appears without parallel in times of peace... Nothing can justify such
behavior and conduct by the Soviet air force...
"The Soviet Union's attitude is unjustifiable and it cannot fail to have a
negative effect on recent attempts to build confidence,in the strained
relations between East and West."
Conservative Jyllands-Posten quoted Foreign Minister Uffe Ellemann-Jensen
as saying, "It is a very alarming and quite unbelievable incident...The
Danish Government deeply regrets the great loss of humman life."
"Russians Committed Tragic and Cruel Deed"
Former Foreign Minister Kjeld Olsen (Social Democrat) was cited by
Ekstra-Bladet: "If the information received so far is correct, then the
Russians have committed a tragic and cruel deed which is completely
unforgivable.
"But this must not make us change attitudes in our opposition to nuclear
armaments. It is mainly a question of survival. Therefore the Social
Democratic Party will not change in its attitude toward missile
deployloyment."
"Will Throw a Shadow Over INF Talks at Decisive Point"
Extensive coverage was given last night and this morning by Swedish media
to the shooting down of the South Korean plane. Consensus was that this
was an appalling act by the Soviets which will affect relations between the
United States and the USSR.
TV Channel 2's foreign editor said, "The shooting down of an unarmed
airliner is an unparalleled crime. No excuses can be made, even if the
aircraft trespassed into Soviet territory.... The shooting down will throw a
shadow over the INF talks which have now reached a decisive point...
"The Reagan Adminstration has described the Soviet Union as an irrespon-
sible, power-hungry and threatening state. Advocates of that point of view
will use this incident as evidence of the correctness of their point of
view."
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"International Consequences May Become Serious"
Headlines today included "Swede Among the Passengers," (Svenska Dagbladet)
and "U.S. Raging Against Soviet Union" and "Jumbo Jet Obliterated by
Russian Missile Attack" (Dagens Nyheter).
Conservative Svenska Daglbadet in an editorial today said, "The Soviet
shooting down of the South Korean airliner with 269 people aboard is
shocking.
"International consequences of this tragic incident may become serious
unless the Soviet Union satisfactorily explains how this tragic incident
could have happened."
"A Horrible and Unprecedented Act of Terror"
Conservative Telegraaf in a front-page editorial today said, "The shooting
...represents a horrible and unprecedented act of terror and is witness of
an incredible cynicism.
"This Russian crime is not only disgusting, it is also frightening that the
Soviet military system reacts so crudely and violently to something which
clearly did not present any threat."
"Parliamentary Delegation Better Reconsider Its Mission to Moscow"
Leftist Volksrant in an editorial headlined "Baffling" today asked, "What
could for God's sake be the reason for shooting down a non-military
airplane that apparently entered Soviet space because of a navigation
mistake or failure and killing 269 passengers?
"A panic reaction because of the nearby presence of military installations?
A conscious act to demonstrate Russian irresistablilty? Really, there is
no explanation that would fit except the word baffling.
"If Moscow does not offer a plausible and acceptable explanation within a
short time," the paper said, "then the members of the Dutch parliamentary
delegation that was scheduled to visit Moscow on September 9 "better
reconsider their mission to Moscow."
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"Unbelievable! Awful! USSR Owes World an Explanation!"
Headlines in Luxembourg today included "On 'Anti-War Day' Korean Civilian
Airliner Shot Down by Soviets" (Christian Social Luxembourger Wort),
"Unbelievable! Awful! USSR Owes the World an Explanation" (Socialist
Tageblatt)l, "The. Terrible Incident" (liberal Journal) and "Stupefaction and
Indignation! Washington Requires Explanation From Moscow" (independent
Republican Lorrain).
Communist Zeitung merely stated that a South Korean Air Lines' Boeing had
disappeared. The paper accused Washington of stirring up anti-Soviet
propaganda "by telling the world lies about Soviet involvement in the
incident."
"Very Worst Thing Soviets Could Have Done"
Conservative Journal de Geneve today held that "even if the airliner had
entered Soviet airspace deliberately for spying purposes, it is hard to
believe that the higher Soviet military echelons could have coldbloodedly
ordered it shot down.
"That would have been the very worst thing the Soviets could have done at a
time when they are trying to polish their image...as a peace-loving power."
"No Justification for This Brutal Act"
Bern's middle-of-the-road Der Bund said, "Many aspects of this affair
remain a mystery for the moment....Be that as it may, there is no
justification for such a brutal act against a civil aircraft..."
"Deliberate Criminal Act"
Independent Le Soir of Brussels today said it was "a deliberate criminal
act. It is hard to see the interest that the Kremlin would have in causing
a...dangerous deterioration of the international situation at a time when
there is every indication that it is engaged with the Americans in a
diplomatic action aimed at improving this situation."
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Labor-oriented La-Cite of Brussels declared the incident was "a premedita-
ted murder for wh inch there could not be any excuse..."
"Tension Is the Cause of It"
In Vienna today, prestigious Die Presse judged, "Tension in East-West
relations will not only be a consquence of this unfortunate event. Tension
is also the cause of it.
"The readiness to help as shown by Soviet search parties is an ironic twist
from people with a guilty conscience."
"Paranoid Soviet Preoccupation With Security"
Barcelona's conservative Vanguardia said in an editorial, "What is
difficult to understand is why they shot down a defenseless commercial
airplane that was not carrying out any kind of military or espionage
mission.
"The only way to explain this dangerous incident is the strange and perhaps
paranoid Soviet preoccupation with security."
Pravda: "Soviet Fighters Attempted to Help"
In Moscow today, Pravda, on page five in a two-paragraph item headed "TASS
Report" maintained that "Soviet fighters which went to meet the infringing
plane, attempted to help it withdraw to a nearby airfield. The infringing
plane, however, did not respond to the signals and warnings of Soviet
fighters and continued its flight in the direction of the Sea of Japan."
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"Violation of.,Soviet Airspace"
A Czechoslovak news agency report in today's Communist Party Rude Pravo was
headed "Violation of Soviet Airspace" and said the plane "of undetermined
registration, flying without navigation lights over Kamchatka Peninsula
toward the Sea of Japan, did not establish radio contact with the radio
engineering service and failed to react to Soviet anti-aircraft defense
efforts to give it assistance and guide it to the nearest airport."
The account did not mention that the plane was shot down.
"U.S. Has Reacted Strongly"
Tokyo's NHK, TBS and Fuji television networks gave extensive coverage to
the Soviet air attack with some networks carrying special programs. All
networks focused attention on the Shultz news conference, and judged that
the United States "reacted strongly" to the downing of the plane.
The Attack Will Affect-U.S.-Soviet Relations
Fuji television said the incident could adversely affect U.S.-Soviet
relations and the nuclear disarmament talks in Geneva.
An NHK correspondent said the incident was expected to cool U.S.-Soviet
relations with Congress calling for a firm stand against the Soviet Union.
However, he added the view that the United States is not expected to take
strong action against the Soviets.
Japan Will Demand Frank and Sincere Response from Soviet Union
All networks reported that Chief Cabinet Secretary Gotoda told a news
conference that the Japanese Government came to the conclusion that the KAL
plane was shot down by missile fire from a Soviet fighter and that Japan
would demand a frank and sincere response from the Soviet Union.
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Press Treatment
All major Tokyo dailies ran bold headlines today saying, "Soviets Shoot
Down KAL Plane." Highlights of the Shultz news conference were carried.
"Incident May Have Serious Effect on Far East"
Today's moderate Yomiuri wrote, "Since there were many Japanese passengers
on the plane, it is inevitable for the Japanese Government, like the United
States, to strongly criticize the Soviet Union.
"There is concern that the incident will have a serious effect on the
military and political situation in the Far East, including South Korea
which is a direct victim."
"Japan Will Take a Strong Stand"
Liberal Asahi today declared, "The Government will take a strong stand,
even if the Soviets contend that the shooting down of the KAL plane was
justified in view of the violation of Soviet airspace, because there is no
reason to justify the shooting down of an unarmed passenger plane."
"There Should Have Been Other Countermeasures"
An editorial in conservative Sankei today held that "it is easy to
recognize the KAL plane as a commercial airliner, and, in considering the
large number of passngers aboard, there should have been other counter-
measures."
Financial Nihon Keizai said in an editorial, "Even if the airliner erred in
its course, the Soviet response is impermissible from the humanitarian
point of view."
SOUTH KOREA
Limited Available Treatment
South Korean editorial reaction to the incident was unavailable this
morning.
The national YONHAP News Agency reported today that "Foreign Minister Yi
Pom-Sok today discussed with U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Richard Walker
possible joint sanctions against the Soviet Union in response to a Soviet
jet's air attack which downed (the KAL) plane..."
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Major Treatment
Manila's Bulletin Today, Daily Express, and Metro Manila Times lead stories
reported on the plane incident. The first named paper cited Pentagon
sources and Secretary Shultz as saying that the plane had been downed by a
Soviet missile-firing jet.
"An Indescribably Horrible Act"
Today's center-right Sing Tao Jih Pao condemend the downing of the plane as
"an indescribably horrible and inhuman act of violence." It believed that
U.S.-Soviet confrontation would probably become "volcanically explosive"
and that the situation on the Korean peninsula would heat up.
The paper went on to state that "for the moment Moscow's designs on this
are still not known--probably U.S. Congressman McDonald was carrying with
him some documents concerning the U.S.-South Korean joint defense pact,
which the Soviet Union is eager to read...
"It would be too feeble for the United States to raise the issue before the
U.N. Security Council for debate....Much more forceful than appealing to
the U.N. (would be) to apply embargo sanctions such as tearing up the
newly-concluded five-year grain pact."
"The Soviets' Brutal State of Mind"
Today's independent Ming Pao contended that "this barbarous act of the
Soviets without regard for human lives has exposed their coldblooded brutal
state of mind..."
Pro-China Paper: "Soviets Should Not Fire Missiles"
Hong Kong's pro-PRC Ta Kung Pao in an editorial today wrote : "The
unscrupulous action of the Soviet Union can hardly escape world-wide
condemnation...
"Even if the airliner had strayed from its route, it was only a mistaken
entry into Soviet airspace. At the most, the Soviet jets could only issue
warnings or force it to land. They definitely should not fire missiles.
This incident will let the world recognize the reality of stepped-up
military expansion."
USIA/P/RM 14
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"This Act Should Be Condemned"
Today's pro-PRC Wen Wei Po stated that "an attack on a commercial airliner,
no matter what excuses are offered, violates international law and prac-
tice. And a peremptory attitude toward the peaceful movement of peoples
should be condemned by international public opinion."
Heavy Media Play Reflects Shock and Anger
A typical frontpage headline in today's Kuala Lumpur papers was "Jumbo Jet
Shot Down by Soviets" (conservative New Straits Times). Coverage reflected
shock and anger at the downing of the plane.
Extensive Electronic Media Coverage
National radio and television reported that the plane had been shot down
and that some passengers were Australian, as well as American. Mid-morning
television news ran satellite reports from around the world indicating
revulsion of such an act. President Reagan's and Secretary Shultz's
statements were carried in full.
"All Civilized Nations Must Press for Clarification"
Today's Melbourne Herald ran a report from various sources and correspond-
ents headed "Horrifying Act--Angry Reagan." A second report headlined
"We're Appalled: Hawke" carried Prime Minister Hawke's statement on the
incident-Another report in the paper was titled "Pine Gap Heard
Soviets--Hayden Calls on Envoy for Explanation."
The paper said in an editorial that "all civilized nations must press for
clarification of the circumstances. Even in a world of brinkmanship, this
was more than a routine affair. Its consequences could still be most
dangerous.
"World opinion will demand that Russia's world of secrecy be breached."
USIA/P/RM 15
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"USSR Was Within Its Rights"
Today's independent Canberra Times carried a locally written piece headed
"USSR Within Its Rights Under Law." The story reportedly said this was not
the first time that a South Korean aircraft had strayed over Soviet terri-
tory and concluded that the Soviets had "the right to be even more
suspicious of an-airline which seems to make a habit of it."
"Outrage: World Condemns Russia for Shooting Down Jet
Bangkok's three major English-language papers today carried prominent
front-page accounts of the Soviet destruction of the KAL jet. The Bangkok
World's headline read "Outrage: World Condemns Russia for Shooting Down
The papers included wire service reports of Secretary Shultz's statement
and the TASS explanation.
"Shock, Regret" Expressed Over Plane Incident
Agence France Presse reported from Beijing that "China today condemned the
destruction of the (KAI jet)....'We express our shock and regret at this
incident,' the Foreign Ministry's information department said...
"Earlier, the official New China News Agency ran a lengthy and detailed
account of U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz's news conference in
Washington in which he accused Moscow of committing 'an appalling act.'"
"U.S. Alleges Russian Missile Attack"
All media today prominently carried reports on the Soviet attack, high-
lighting President Reagan's and Secretary of State Shultz's reaction.
There was no immediate editorial comment.
USIA/P/RM 16
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Sample headlines were "South Korean Plane With 269 Shot Down by Soviets:
Sharp Reaction by -U.S" (largest-circulation Indian Express), "South Korean
Boeing With 269 Aboard Shot Down Over Russia" respected Statesman) and
"U.S. Alleges Russian Missile Attack: South Korean Jet With 269 Aboard
Shot Down" (influential Times of India).
Wire Service Coverage
All leading Colombo papers, both English and vernacular, and the
Government-owned radio prominently carried wire service reports today
including a Reuter dispatch from Washington covering the Shultz news
conference yesterday.
BANGLADESH
"Soviet. Pilot Admits Firing Missile"
Today's independent Ittefaq of Dhaka reported the plane incident under the
six-column head "Soviet MIGs Killed 269 Passsengers of a Korean Aircraft."
The Government-controlled Bangladesh observer headlined "South Korean Plane
Shot Down: Soviet Pilot Admits Firing Missile."
The latter paper quoted extensively from the Secretary of State's news
conference citing the voice of America as its source.
News Reports But No Comment
All media today front-paged without comment statements by President Reagan
and Secretary Shultz, terming the act as a "barbaric crime."
USIA/P/RM 17
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Prominent News Attention
Amman media this morning gave major coverage to wire service reports on the
KAL incident.
Early Wire Reports
All three Nairobi dailies today carried news items on the downing of the
plane based on early wire service reports. The independent Nation headed
an AP report "Soviet Jet Shoots Down Korean Plane." The independent
Standard headlined a Reuters report "Airliner Was 'Shot Down.'"
Radio Coverage of Reagan, Shultz Statements
Radio Lesotho this morning ran President Reagan's and Secretary Shultz's
reactions to the Soviet shooting down of the South Korean passenger plane.
"A Reckless and Barbaric Act"
Monrovia's observer today reported that President Reagan had demanded
an"immediate and full explanation" of the incident. It also cited
Secretary Shultz's reaction.
In an editorial headed "A Reckless and Barbaric Act," the paper stressed
that the "frightening" incident raised serious questions about commercial
air travel, adding that the attention of the International Civil Aviation
Organization should be drawn to danger zones such as those peppered with
Soviet missiles and other "sensitive military" installations so that new
routes may be located.
USIA/P/RM 18
9/2/83
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