THE UNITED STATES SUBMITTED A DRAFT CONVENTION TO THE UNITED NATIONS (U.N.) GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 1972 FOR THE PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF CERTAIN ACTS OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. IT WAS AIMED AT HALTING THE SPREAD OF TERRORISM TO PERSONS AND PLACES REMOVED FROM THE SCENE OF THE CONFLICT. OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL INCLUDE THOSE THAT: (1) NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENTS MUST HAVE A FREE HAND; (2) INDIVIDUAL ACTS OF TERRORISM SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED OUT WHILE STATE TERRORISM IS ALLOWED TO OCCUR; AND (3) THERE CAN BE NO ACTION TAKEN AGAINST TERRORISM UNTIL THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF TERRORISM ARE ELIMINATED. THE PROPOSAL IS BASED ON THE BELIEF THAT, IF THERE ARE OUTRAGES IN WHICH EVEN STATES FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES CANNOT INDULGE, THERE MUST BE LIMITS TO WHAT CONDUCT GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS MAY EXHIBIT. THE ARGUMENT THAT ONE CANNOT TAKE ACTION AGAINST GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT TAKING ACTION AGAINST STATE TERRORISM IS REFUTED; ONE CANNOT REFUSE TO DEAL WITH ONE PROBLEM SIMPLY BECAUSE ALL PROBLEMS CANNOT BE SOLVED. THE ARGUMENT THAT NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN UNTIL THE ROOT CAUSES OF TERRORISM ARE ELIMINATED IS ALSO SPURIOUS. CRIME EXISTS IN ALL COUNTRIES, YET NO ONE ADVOCATES THE ELIMINATION OF CRIMINAL LAW UNTIL THE CAUSES OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. THE UNITED NATIONS IS URGED TO CONSIDER THE UNITED STATES' PROPOSAL AND TO TAKE RESPONSIBLE MEASURES TO DEAL WITH TERRORISM.