Terrorism Heads List At Economic Summit

President Clinton and world leaders sought new ways Thursday to battle terrorism in the aftermath of a truck bomb that killed 19 Americans in Saudi Arabia.

Clinton urged the world’s richest nations to work together “to rally the forces of tolerance and freedom everywhere to work against terrorism.”

The so-called Group of Seven partners - the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Japan, Italy and Canada - were to discuss a new, joint stand against terrorism at Thursday’s dinner formally opening their annual economic summit.

Clinton and other heads of state gathered for the dinner at Lyon’s City Hall, a soaring elegant structure dating from the 17th century. As they arrived, they were saluted with anthems by a brass band of the Republican Guard, resplendent in plumed helmets, red longcoats, white jodhpurs and gold spurs.

White House spokesman Mike McCurry said that French President Jacques Chirac had agreed to take up the terrorism measure before other business. “In some formal way, the leaders will say they condemn this act and that they understand terrorism is a major challenge that faces nations today,” McCurry said.

The leaders were sidestepping real differences among the United States and its major economic partners over the delicate issue of trade with nations like Iran, Iraq and Cuba.

The United States is the most adamant in not wanting to make economic overtures to these nations - which the United States considers terrorist regimes.

In particular, Clinton ran into European complaints about a new U.S. law that seeks to punish foreign companies that trade with Cuba and a pending bill to do the same for trade with Libya and Iran.

Still, Clinton told reporters he believed U.S. allies would “support a lot of the recommendations that we’ve made, as far as cooperation. …I believe they will be willing to do more.”

The United States is seeking agreement on tougher extradition guidelines, more sharing of national intelligence on possible terrorist activity and efforts to make it harder for suspected terrorists to cross national borders.

Meanwhile, Clinton and Japanese Prime Minister Tyutaro Hashimoto set a deadline of July 31 deadline was particularly significant on the issue of computer chips, where until recently the Japanese government has been refusing to even negotiate with the United States.