Terrorism: Killing Ground on the Seine

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Paris has thus become the Continent's undisputed center of terrorism for a variety of reasons. Traditionally, the country has been known as a land of asylum. It has favored an open visa system, a loose border policy and lax airport checks. Mitterrand has adopted a less stringent policy toward terrorists than his conservative predecessor, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.

Given last week's vicious attack and the recent increase in terrorist incidents, the Mitterrand government has begun to reconsider its lenient policies. Gaston Defferre, Minister of the Interior, has called for a redefinition of the right to political asylum, and the French Cabinet is scheduled to produce a report this week on improving internal security. It will not appear a moment too soon for Paris Mayor Jacques Chirac. Says he: "Paris has become a hunting ground."