NCJ Number
59784
Date Published
1979
Length
15 pages
Annotation
TO COMBAT INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TERRORISM BY STRENGTHENING FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND POLICIES, SENATE BILL 333, THE OMNIBUS ANTITERRORISM ACT OF 1979, IS SET OUT HEREIN.
Abstract
THIS BILL'S REORGANIZATION PROVISIONS WILL INDUCE A THOROUGH REEXAMINATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FEDERAL STRUCTURE FOR COMBATTING TERRORISM. THE PRESIDENT WILL BE REQUIRED, BY LAW, TO MAINTAIN AN ANNUAL LIST OF THOSE COUNTRIES WHICH ARE FOUND TO AID OR ABET TERRORISM. SIMPLY PLACING A NATION ON A PUBLIC LIST SHOULD BE AN EFFECTIVE SANCTION AGAINST AIDING TERRORISTS IN THE FUTURE. UNDER THIS LEGISLATION, THE PRESIDENT COULD DENY FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AID, SALES OF DEFENSE MATERIALS, EXPORT LICENSES FOR COMMODITIES OF POTENTIAL MILITARY APPLICATION, AND DUTY-FREE TREATMENT TO PRESSURE FOREIGN NATIONS AGAINST ASSISTING TERRORISTS. IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERIODICALLY INSPECT FOREIGN AIRPORTS FOR THE ADEQUACY OF THEIR SECURITY. ANY FOREIGN AIRPORT WHICH FAILS TO CORRECT A SERIOUS DEFICIENCY WOULD BE PLACED ON A LIST FOR THE NOTIFICATION OF THE AMERICAN TRAVELLING PUBLIC. THIS LEGISLATION WILL ALSO REQUIRE THE USE OF SUBSTANCES IN EXPLOSIVES WHICH, WHEN ADDED TO THE EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL, WOULD ENABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO EITHER DETECT A BOMB BEFORE DETONATION, OR TO TRACE IT TO THE PURCHASER THROUGH A CODE ON FRAGMENTS RETRIEVED AFTER AN EXPLOSION. THE PRESIDENT WILL BE URGED TO NEGOTIATE WITH OTHER NATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A PERMANENT INTERNATIONAL WORKING GROUP ON TERRORISM AND TO SEEK INTERNATIONAL ADHERENCE TO EXISTING ANTITERRORIST CONVENTIONS. FINALLY, THE BILL WILL COMPLETE UNITED STATES ADHERENCE TO THE MONTREAL CONVENTION BY INCLUDING IN THE U.S. CODE STRICT PENALTIES FOR TERRORISTS ACTS ON OR NEAR AIRCRAFT. THESE PENALTIES COVER AIRCRAFT SABOTAGE AND PIRACY, AND CONVEYING FALSE INFORMATION AND THREATS. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (WJR)