NCJ Number
53142
Date Published
1977
Length
18 pages
Annotation
THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF INCREASED MOBILITY AND IMPROVED ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS IN THE EVOLUTION OF MODERN TERRORISM IS OUTLINED.
Abstract
IN GOING BEYOND THEIR OWN BORDERS AND USING MEANS IGNORED BY EARLIER GENERATIONS, THE PALESTINIANS HAVE SINCE 1968 DRAWN ATTENTION TO THEIR ACTIONS BUT HAVE TENDED TO DETRACT FROM THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR GOALS. THE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS WHICH MAKE RAPID TRAVEL POSSIBLE HAVE SOLVED A BASIC PROBLEM OF TERRORISTS: THEY ARE NO LONGER HINDERED BY LACK OF SUCCESS AS MILITARY GUERRILLAS AND BY THE NECESSITY OF CONQUESTS WITHIN A LIMITED SPACE. INTERCHANGEABLE INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST BASES FACILITATE PRECISE PREPARATIONS BEFORE ATTACKS AND SPEEDY WITHDRAWALS AFTERWARD, AS WELL AS EVASION OF SOPHISTICATED INFORMATION SYSTEMS. THE NEW TYPE OF TERRORIST IS AN UPROOTED, PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER IN THE SERVICE OF A WORLD-WIDE REVOLUTION WHO EVENTUALLY SEEKS ACTION IN THE INTEREST OF ANY CAUSE. THESE TERRORISTS REQUIRE MEANS OF MASS COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPED SINCE THE FIFTIES TO PRODUCE THE GREATEST POSSIBLE IMPACT FOR FEAR. IN AN ATTEMPT TO INVOLVE EVERYONE IN THE CONFLICT, VIOLENT ACTS ARE COMMITTED FOR THE SAKE OF THE DRAMATIC EFFECT ON THE AUDIENCE. TERRORIST ACTIONS SEEK TO FORCE THE PERSON OR STATE ATTACKED TO DECIDE AGAINST THEIR BETTER JUDGMENT, BUT REFUSAL OF A STATE TO NEGOTIATE CAN DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF THE ACTION, PARTICULARLY IF NEWS COVERAGE IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM. BECAUSE TERRORISTS MUST 'STEAL THE SHOW,' THEY ARE FORCED TO ESCALATE THEIR ACTIONS CONTINUOUSLY, THROWING ALL MORAL RESERVATIONS TO THE WINDS IN ORDER TO ATTRACT ATTENTION. NOTES ARE INCLUDED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)