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UK: Major echo

01 March 1996

John Major told BBC Radio, on his return from the Middle East Summit in Egypt, that: "It may be that the time has come to look at the activities not only of those who actively conspire to commit terrorist acts but also those who from safe havens abroad foster dissent elsewhere in a way which creates a climate in which terrorism can flourish... If people... use the UK as a base from which to conduct their own particular activities against another government, particularly a friendly government, then that is a matter we have to look at very carefully." This clear reference to the case of Muhammad al-Masari, who the government has so far failed to deport to Dominica at the behest of Saudi Arabia. The Home Office is conducting a review of the conspiracy and incitement laws to see if they could be extended to offences committed outside the UK. This statement by the Prime Minister echoes the views of his officials at the P8 meeting in Ottawa in December 1995 who equated "terrorists" with "political activists who promoted unconstitutional change or destroyed the good relations enjoyed by the UK with other governments." Guardian, 15.3.96; see Statewatch, vol 6 no 1, pages 21-22.