NCJ Number
76482
Date Published
1978
Length
22 pages
Annotation
The objectives of terrorist activities against Western democracies are described, government antiterrorist activities are discussed, and counterterrorist initiatives are examined.
Abstract
The overall objective of terrorist operations is to discredit legitimate governments by forcing them to respond to their actions through the use of indiscriminate force and the suspension of civil rights. Western democracies, because they are hesitant to suspend any civil rights at all (such as limitations on the collection of information on noncriminal citizens) are especially vulnerable to terrorist activities. Thus, many nations have developed elite antiterrorist groups such as West Germany's Border Protection Group 9 of Project Blue Light in the United States. These units have experienced some success in controlling terrorist activities such as hijackings and hostage-taking activities. Counterterrorist groups have also developed in response to terrorist activities. These groups include the Jewish Defense League and the Ulster Defense Association. These groups may selectively attack terrorists and their supporters, or may make unselective attacks against civilians or members of the police and military forces in attempts to discredit terrorists or stimulate government action. Both antiterrorists and counterterrorists sometimes take actions against terrorists outside their own countries. In the case of antiterrorists, these operations are carried out with the full knowledge and consent of the foreign government. Counterterrorists, such as Yugoslavian hit squads dispatched to assassinate Croatian terrorists, usually act beyond the knowledge, laws, or control of the countries in which they take action. Law enforcement forces consider terrorist and counterterrorist groups to be equally dangerous to society. Charts and footnotes are included.