European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - June 24, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 the stars and stripes tuesday june 24,1986 guideline issued on Legal position of aids victims Washington up aids Vic Tims May be fired or excluded from fed eral programs if Public a Talon official Sand employers believe such acts will pre vent spreading he fatal disease a Justice department ruling snid monday. A copy of the Justice  Legal opinion applicable to Federal offices and others receiving Federal Aid. Was obtained Byl nil cd press International Ifica details were published by the new York times. The opinion stemmed from the debate Over whether aids is a Handicap under fed eral Law. The ruling could be superseded by judicial decisions if the Issue is taken to court. The Justice department emphasized is opinion is limited to Section s04 of the rehabilitation act of 1973. Behave no examined any Oiler Federal stale or local Laws that May extend Arnader protections in this  the opinion slated that discrimination based on the disabling effects of aids on its victims May violate Section 504, bul that the statute does not restrict measures taken to prevent the spread of inc  49-Page opinion with 107 foot notes was signed Friday by assistant at Torney Genera Charles Cooper it was done at the request of Ronald Robertson general counsel of the health an human services department. While acknowledging that aids Vic Tims have some Protection under Federal civil rights Laws the opinion said it i imperative to recognize inc distinction Between the disabling effects of aids on its victims and the ability to spread the condition to  a person s dismissal from a Job or exclusion from a Federal program solely because that person suffers from the effects of aids would be illegal discrimination if the person is otherwise qualified for the Job or program the opinion said. But it would rot be necessarily illegal in fact generally would he Legal to Dis miss that same person out Ocon com that he or she could spread aids if inc authority s fear of contagion was nol merely pretext for discrimination on account of  the department s opinion said. Despite scientists claims