European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 11, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 28 the stars and stripes tuesday. February 11,1986 . To hold new Maneu vers off libyan coast by Norman Blackcap military writer Washington the United states stepping up its pressure on Libya once again has ordered two air Craft carriers Back toward the libyan coastline for an other series of air and sea Maneu vers the Pentagon said monday. The decision was disclosed through the release of a notice of intent to conduct flight operations within an area that is overseen by air traffic controllers in the libyan Capitol of Tripoli. The notice specifies that operations will be conducted by the Coral sea and Saratoga within the Tripoli flight information Region from 7 . Est tuesday to 7 . Est Friday. The last such exercise was conducted Jan. 24-31. Unlike that exercise the new american Maneu vers Wilt occur at the same time libyan sea and air forces Are conducting an exercise of their own in the area. The two countries also will be operating off Libya s coast at a time when libyan Leader Moa mar khad Afy has or dered his air Force to intercept civilian israeli airliners flying Over the Mediterranean. During the last such . Exercise which involved the same carriers libyan and american fighters frequently crossed paths but avoided any confrontation. Last month s Maneu vers were ordered in what administration officials described As a show of resolve prompted by an earlier decision by khad Afy to place his own forces on Alert. Khad Afy took that step following is. Accusation that he had supported a palestinian terrorist faction believed responsible for the dec. 27 attacks on airports in Rome and Vienna Austria. President Reagan has imposed a variety of economic sanctions on Libya in the Wale of those Friday tensions in the area escalated once again when khad Afy announced he had ordered his air Force to intercept civilian israeli airliners flying across the Mediterranean and Force them to libyan airfields to search for israeli said the order was in retaliation for the Sei Zure of a libyan plane feb. 4 by israeli jets. The israelis forced an executive Jet on a flight from Libya to Damas Cus Syria to land in Northern Israel. The israelis re leased the plane and its passengers when they found no palestinian guerrillas on Board and israeli officials acknowledged the interception had been a it could not be Learned monday whether fighters of the american carriers had been Given any instructions to come to the Aid of israeli jetliners. According to Pentagon officials who asked not to be named the libyan notice of intent to conduct Maneu vers in the area was tiled last saturday and Calls for exercises to last through feb. 18. In a related development. Pentagon sources also de manding anonymity said the soviet Union was main Taining its naval forces in the area to assist the libyans in monitoring the carriers movements. One source said the flagship of the soviet s Mediterranean squad re Mains in port in Tripoli apparently passing along Intelli gence information. The source said the soviets now have seven warships in the Mediterranean plus another 20 support ships. A soviet frigate currently is operating off the libyan coast and a soviet Cruiser and in won doku Tom tune i lows or of s4_ _ Woumn. A 17 m04cow, in add 1 � Olto. D 54 41 Toronto do pm nor. A by a Aiu Tam Cloudy a Dou Duj a to Tori a Rake i Hwi to of
