U.S. Tourists ‘Chicken,’ Says Head of C of C

LONDON — American tourists, entertainers and sports stars afraid of visiting Europe because of terrorism are “chicken” and giving Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi undue credit, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Britain said today.

“I believe Americans should be visiting Europe and especially Britain, as they did previously,” Harry Cressman said. “After all, it was Britain and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who gave us support in the Libyan raid last month.”

Fears of terror attacks and hijackings expressed by Americans in local television shows and the British press--although bad for business--have become something of a joke in Britain.

One hotel on the southwest coast of England is offering U.S. visitors a “Badge of Courage” in the form of a special scroll for daring to come.

“The polls said that 80% of Americans supported the action against Libya,” Cressman said. “So for fellow countrymen no longer to be visiting Britain is a slap in the face to President Reagan and to Maggie Thatcher.

“And it makes Kadafi a winner without doing a damn thing. They’re playing chicken.”