Reagan Assails Bombings of Abortion Clinics

WASHINGTON —  President Reagan today condemned “in the strongest terms” the bombing of abortion clinics, which he called “violent, anarchist activities,” and directed the attorney general to use all appropriate federal agencies to apprehend the bombers.

“As President of the United States, I will do all in my power to assure that the guilty are brought to justice,” Reagan said in a written statement.

“During the past few months, there has been a series of bombings at abortion clinics throughout the country,” Reagan said. “I condemn, in the strongest terms, those individuals who perpetrate these and all such violent, anarchist activities.”

Reagan said he was requesting Atty. Gen. William French Smith “to see that all federal agencies with jurisdiction pursue the investigation vigorously.”

It was the strongest statement Reagan has made on the bombings.

FBI Criticized

Washington’s Mayor Marion Barry has criticized the FBI for not taking direct charge of investigating the 30 bombings of abortion clinics around the country over the last two years. And others have criticized Reagan, a strong opponent of abortion, for not speaking out on the attacks.

But White House spokesman Larry Speakes stressed that at present the primary investigating agency remains the U.S. Treasury Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The bureau has specific statutory authority over the investigation, Speakes explained. He said there were legal problems with branding the abortion clinic bombings as “terrorist” attacks that would bring in the FBI.

He said the FBI is lending certain expertise to the investigations, but added “the ATF has an excellent record.”