NCJ Number
81384
Date Published
1980
Length
71 pages
Annotation
This testimony before the House Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights focuses on Federal capabilities in crisis management and terrorism.
Abstract
The opening testimony by Dr. Richard Lewis Clutterbuck, a senior lecturer in politics at the University of Exeter in Devon, England, discusses some of the characteristics of terrorists and their evolution to violent behavior, and important components of a campaign to counter and prevent terrorism are discussed. Terrorism, particularly within a democratic society, is viewed as the perpetration of a small number of persons unable to impose their will on society through legitimate channels of political influence. In combating the growth of terrorism, it is advised that a society should protect the right of dissent and seek changes that will increase the life satisfactions of all citizens. The maintenance of an effective intelligence system is also indicated to be important. Testimony of Hon. Diego Asencio, American ambassador to Colombia who was held captive by terrorists in the Dominican Republic Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, is also presented. The safe release of the hostages in that situation is attributed to the refusal of all involved governments to grant terrorist demands, such that the terrorists could no longer believe their actions would yield them any benefits. Charles P. Monroe, Inspector-Deputy for the Criminal Investigative Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI) testified on the FBI's counterterrorist activity, and the State Department's Director of the Office for Combating Terrorism testified on the State Department's counterterrorism activity abroad and in this country. The Director of the New Jersey State Police testified on that State's structure for countering terrorist operations.