Another Bomb Shocks Paris; 1 Dead, 51 Hurt

PARIS — A bomb blew up a public office in police headquarters Monday, killing one person and injuring 51 others, in another blow in the devastating campaign by Middle East terrorists to hold the city of Paris hostage for the release of three imprisoned comrades.

Premier Jacques Chirac, who had announced new anti-terrorism measures only the night before, rushed to the site of the police headquarters, a short distance from Notre Dame Cathedral on the Ile de la Cite in the Seine River. But the latest bombing, the fourth in a week, only underscored the defiance of the terrorists and the frustration of the French government in trying to stop or even find them.

The problem was confounded by the confusion and nervousness of the people of Paris as citizens spotting suspicious packages and hoaxers intent on playing jokes bombarded the police with phone calls during the day. The police said they investigated hundreds of false alarms in schools, subway stations, train stations, airports, stores, post offices, banks and office buildings.

Takes Responsibility

In Beirut, a French-speaking telephone caller on Monday took responsibility for the bombing on behalf of a group called the Committee of Solidarity for Arab and Middle East Political Prisoners. That name also was used in claims of responsibility for last week’s bombings.

The caller told a Western news agency, “We will be thankful if you inform (French President Francois) Mitterrand and Chirac that the next operation will be at the Elysee,” the presidential palace.

The latest bomb was placed under a bench by a pillar at police headquarters near a counter in the office that issues drivers’ licenses. It exploded at lunchtime, one of the busiest periods of the day for the office. Police said one person was killed, four people were seriously injured and 47 suffered lesser injuries in the blast.

“It was a very violent explosion,” said one police employee. “Several persons were thrown several meters. The windows blew out, even the ones at the counters separating the public from those working here. Many people were cut by flying glass.”

The government had announced plans to search the bags of people entering public buildings in Paris, and such searches were reportedly carried out at the door of police headquarters. But the bomb slipped through.

With tough rhetoric Sunday night, Chirac announced measures to tighten control of foreigners entering the country. He sent troops to help patrol the borders and ordered that all foreign visitors except those from the European Communities countries and Switzerland must have a visa from a French consulate.

It will take about two weeks for the French government to organize the visa system. Until then, officials said, foreigners may obtain visas upon arrival at airports or seaports if they satisfy thorough identity checks. The visa requirement was troubling news for the French travel industry, for the need to obtain visas may further discourage American tourists, already fearful of terrorist attacks.

U.S. Support

A U.S. Embassy spokesman in Paris announced American support of the government’s move. “We regret any inconvenience it may cause to American citizens planning to visit France,” he said, “but we are confident they will understand what has motivated the French government to take this prudent step.”

A rightist union that represents 5% of the nation’s police officers, while approving Chirac’s actions, said they are “insufficient and incomplete.” The union demanded the declaration of “a national state of emergency, . . . re-establishment of the death penalty and the right for the police to open fire after giving a warning.”

Besides the group named in the Beirut call, two other organizations have claimed responsibility for a series of 14 bomb attacks that have killed four people and injured more than 200 in the past nine months. But French officials and journalists believe that the group responsible is made up of followers of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, one of the three prisoners whose release is demanded by the terrorists.

The French have insisted that they do not intend to release Abdallah, a 35-year-old Lebanese Christian who is considered to be the leader of the Lebanese Revolutionary Army Faction. He is serving a four-year term for using false passports and possession of arms and explosives.

Italian Extradition Request

French officials confirmed Monday that Italy has requested Abdallah’s extradition to face more serious charges. He is wanted in Italy for alleged involvement in the 1984 assassination of U.S. diplomat Leamon R. Hunt.

Acceptance of Italy’s extradition request could allow France to release Abdallah into the hands of the Italians, but it is not clear whether such an act would satisfy the terrorists.

Abdallah’s group has claimed responsibility for the murder of an American military attache and an Israeli diplomat in France four years ago.

In London, the British government announced that in response to a French request, it has called a meeting of the interior ministers of the 12 European Communities countries in London on Sept. 25 to discuss the problem of terrorism in Europe. Britain now holds the presidency of the European Communities.