NCJ Number
63436
Journal
Nation Volume: 188 Dated: (JANUARY 3, 1959), 250-252
Date Published
1959
Length
3 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF TERRORISM, BASED ON ITS USE IN ALGERIA, VIETNAM, MALAYA, IRELAND, AND CUBA, SUGGESTS THAT IT IS THE TOOL OF THE WEAK, USED BY DESPERATE PERSONS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF REBELLION.
Abstract
TERRORISM IS NEARLY ALWAYS USED IN THE FIRST STAGE OF RESISTANCE. THE SECOND STAGE IS GUERRILLA WARFARE AND THE THIRD, ALL OUT WAR. A GROUP WILL USE TERROR IN THE EARLY STAGES OF REBELLION BECAUSE IT SELDOM FEELS STRONG ENOUGH TO USE OTHER TACTICS. AT TIMES ALL THREE STAGES MAY RUN CONCURRENTLY. IN COMING TO THIS CONCLUSION, THE ARTICLE EXAMINES INSURRECTIONS IN ALGERIA AND VIETNAM AGAINST THE FRENCH, MALAYA, AND CYPRUS WHERE THEY WERE PARTIALLY SUCCESSFUL, IN KENYA WHERE THEY FAILED, AND IN IRAN, PALESTINE, AND THE SUEZ CANAL ZONE WHERE THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL. THE REASONS FOR SUCCESS OR FAILURE LIE IN THE METHODS USED BY THE TERRORISTS AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY OPERATED. IN THE PLACES THEY FAILED, THE TERROR WAS DIRECTED AT THE LOCAL POPULATION WHILE IN THE PLACES THEY SUCCEEDED, THE TERROR WAS DIRECTED AT AN ENEMY VIEWED AS AN INTRUDER. TERRORISTS ARE LIKELY TO WIN IF THEY HAVE POPULAR SUPPORT. OFFICIAL TERRORISM WORKS, BUT ONLY IN A TOTALITARIAN STATE. THE ROLE OF PUBLIC OPINION IN CURBING TERRORISM IS ALSO CONSIDERED, PARTICULARLY IN CONNECTION WITH THE MASS MEDIA. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT PUBLIC OPINION HAS HAD LITTLE EFFECT ON TERRORIST TACTICS. (RFC)