NUCLEAR TERROR (FROM CONTEMPORARY TERRORISM - SELECTED READINGS, 1978, BY JOHN D ELLIOTT AND LESLIE K GIBSON SEE NCJ-48724)

• NCJ Number: 48730
• Author(s): D M ROSENBAUM
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 19 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, V 1, N 3 (WINTER 1977)

Annotation

THE LIKELIHOOD AND POSSIBLE STRATEGIES OF THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS BY TERRORIST ARE CONSIDERED, AND WAYS OF REDUCING THIS THREAT ARE PROPOSED.

Abstract

THE PROLIFERATION OF THE USE OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, THE GROWING NUMBER OF SCIENTIFICALLY TRAINED PERSONNEL, AND THE INCREASINGLY AMORAL AND UTILITARIAN CONDITIONING OF TERRORIST ARE CITED AS TRENDS THAT MAKE THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS BY TERRORISTS A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY. THE MANY NATIONS AND GROUPS STRUGGLING FOR INCREASED POWER AND RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORLD ARENA INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES FOR WHOM NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL WOULD BE ATTRACTIVE. THE TYPES OF NUCLEAR THREATS CONSIDERED ARE THREATENED OR ACTUAL USE OF PLUTONIMUM AS A POISON, THE SABOTAGE OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AND THE USE OF NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES. DECLARING WAR ON TERROISM IS SUGGESTED AS ONE APPROACH TO THE THREAT. AN ALLIANCE AGAINST TERRORISM AMONG WILLING NATIONS CAPABLE OF STRIKING TERRORIST HEADQUARTERS AND TRAINING CAMPS IS ADVISED. THE BANNING OF ALL AID OR TRADE FOR NATIONS SUPPORTING OR HARBORING TERRORISTS IS ALSO RECOMMENDED. THE FORMATION OF A CARTEL OF NATIONS WHICH EXPORT NUCLEAR FACILITIES IS SUGGESTED IN ORDER TO DIVIDE THE MARKET ACCORDING TO A FORMULA, WITH AN AGREEMENT THAT NO CARTEL NATION WILL EXPORT A FUEL CYCLE FACILITY. SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY IN ITS EFFORTS TO CONTROL NONPEACEFUL USES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY IS URGED, AND THE STRENGTHENING OF SECURITY AROUND NUCLEAR OPERATIONS AND MATERIALS STORAGE IS ADVISED. NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)