NCJ Number
63585
Date Published
1975
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A FORMER CONSERVATIVE MEMBER OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT OUTLINES STEPS THAT OPEN SOCIETIES SUCH AS BRITAIN CAN TAKE TO PROTECT THEIR CITIZENS FROM TERRORISM AND TO AVOID THE CONSEQUENCES OF TERRORIST ACTIONS.
Abstract
POLITICAL TERRORISM IS VARIOUSLY DEFINED AS AN ACT OF VIOLENCE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OUT OF PROPORTION TO ITS PHYSICAL RESULT AND AS A FORM OF ORGANIZED VIOLENCE EXEMPT FROM EXISTING MORAL CODES. POLITICAL TERRORISM CAN RANGE FROM MASS ASSASSINATIONS TO THE RECRUITMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO SEEK VIOLENCE FOR ITS OWN SAKE OR WHO MASK ORDINARY CRIMINALITY WITH REVOLUTIONARY IDEALS. TERRORISM AND THE THREAT OF TERRORISM HAVE (1) HASTENED THE BRITISH TO DEPART FROM SOUTHERN IRELAND, PALESTINE, AND CYPRUS; (2) PINNED DOWN A LARGE PART OF THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTHERN IRELAND; (3) THREATENED DR. KISSINGER'S MIDDLE EAST PEACEMAKING ACTIVITIES; (4) AFFECTED LAW AND ORDER IN ITALY, AND (5) HELPED INSTALL AN EXTREME LEFT-WING MILITARY JUNTA IN LISBON. OPEN SOCIETIES, WITH THEIR COMPLEXITY OF VITAL INSTALLATIONS, ARE VULNERABLE TO THE INCREASED RANGE AND POWER OF SOME TERRORIST WEAPONS AND THE THREAT OF NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL. MEDIA MEMBERS, THROUGH PERMISSIVE ATTITUDES AND PUBLICITY, MAY ALSO ENCOURAGE A CLIMATE OF COLLAPSE. THERE IS NOW HEAVIER PUBLIC CRITICISM AND PUNISHMENT OF PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO DEFEND EXTREMISTS THAN OF THE EXTREMISTS THEMSELVES. UNITED NATIONS NEUTRALISM TOWARD TERRORISTS, COMBINED WITH JUDICIOUS SOVIET SUPPORT, MAKES WIDESPREAD INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO COMBAT TERRORISM DIFFICULT. CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE USE OF INTELLIGENCE SERVICES TO CHECK TERRORISM, TO GREATER FUNDING FOR THESE SERVICES, TO DEALING WITH THE IMMEDIATE THREAT TERRORISM POSES TO BRITISH SOCIETY, AND TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY OF FIRMNESS AND REAFFIRMATION OF A NATIONAL TRADITION OF COURAGE, RESOLUTION, AND DEFIANCE. (AOP)