NCJ Number
59778
Date Published
1979
Length
19 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON U.S GOVERNMENT POLICY TOWARD TERRORISM, THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES TO COMBAT TERRORISTS IN A CRISIS SITUATION.
Abstract
GLOBAL INCIDENCES OF TERRORISM NUMBERED 2,690 BETWEEN 1968 AND 1977. OF THESE, 1,148 HAVE BEEN DIRECTED AGAINST U.S. CITIZENS AND PROPERTY, LEAVING SCORES OF PERSONS INJURED OR KILLED. TERRORISM, AS THE THREAT OR USE OF VIOLENCE FOR POLITICAL GOALS, IS DIFFICULT TO COMBAT DUE TO THE PERCEIVED LEGITIMACY OF WHATEVER GOALS OR IDEOLOGIES ARE IN CONFLICT. FROM THE EXTREMISTS WHO SEEK THE UINIFICATION OF IRELAND TO THE PALESTINIANS WHO DESIRE A HOMELAND, TERRORISM EMBRACES A WIDE VARIETY OF GRIEVANCES. TO COMBAT THIS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE UNITED STATES HAS INITIATED FIVE STRATEGIES. A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY STANCE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO PERMIT A SELECTIVE AND FLEXIBLE RESPONSE TO TERRORIST INCIDENTS. ALL TERRORIST ACTS ARE CONDEMNED REGARDLESS OF MOTIVATION, AND NO CONCESSIONS TO TERRORISTS TO BLACKMAIL ARE BEING MADE. SECONDLY, PHYSICAL SECURITY HAS BEEN TIGHTENED IN OVERSEAS FACILITIES, AND EMPLOYEES ARE BEING TRAINED IN COUNTER-TERRORIST MEASURES. INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS ARE ALSO BEING PROMOTED TO IMPROVE COOPERATION DURING CRISES. THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE FOR COMBATTING TERRORISM, CREATED IN 1972, PROVIDES THE BASIC STAFF STRUCTURE FOR BOTH INCIDENT MANAGEMENT AND POLICY FORMULATION AND CONTIGENCY PLANNING. BOTH STRUCTURES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO THE SPECIAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE (SCC) OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, WHICH HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ASSISTING THE PRESIDENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ALL CRISES. UNDER THE GENERAL GUIDANCE OF THE SCC, THE MANAGEMENT OF TERRORIST INCIDENTS IS BASED ON THE LEAD AGENCY CONCEPT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERNATIONAL INCIDENTS; THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE FBI HANDLE DOMESTIC INCIDENTS UNDER FEDERAL JURISDICTION. THESE AGENCIES WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES WHERE THERE IS CONCURRENT JURISDICTION. IN ADDITION, THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S OPERATIONS CENTER IS ON DUTY AROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR INSTANTANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS WITH OTHER AGENCIES. ANOTHER ELEMENT OF THE U.S. STRATEGY IS TO DEVELOP A FLEXIBLE RESPONSE CAPABILITY. CURRENTLY, THE FBI AND THE MILITARY HAVE SPECIALLY TRAINED TEAMS AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT AGAINST TERRORISTS, AND A SPECIAL COMMITTEE EXITS WITHIN THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY TO COORDINATE INTELLIGENCE FLOW. FINALLY, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN A NUMBER OF MULTILATERAL INITIATIVES AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS REGARDING AIRCRAFT HIJACKING. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (WJR)