NCJ Number
48534
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 169-186
Date Published
1978
Length
18 pages
Annotation
THE COMPLEX ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES USED BY URBAN TERRORISTS IN CUBA, ALGERIA, URUGUAY, AND THE UNITED STATES ARE EXAMINED AND CRITIQUED.
Abstract
URBAN TERRORISTS USE ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS DESIGNED TO FACILITATE THE UNDERTAKING OF AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT PROGRAM OF SPECIALIZED ARMED ACTIONS THROUGH CLANDESTINE ARMED CELLS. THE OVERALL STRUCTURES OPERATE ON A HIERARCHIC COMMAND SYSTEM, WITH A COLUMNAR ORGANIZATION CONCEPT AND USING TERRORIST COMMAND COUNCILS. ASPECTS OF TERRORIST RECRUITMENT AND DISCIPLINE ARE DISCUSSED. THE COMPARTMENTALIZED STRUCTURE NOTABLY USED BY URBAN TERRORISTS HAS DISADVANTAGES, SUCH AS NOT BEING FUNCTIONAL WITHOUT THE ABSOLUTE COOPERATION OF ALL ITS MEMBERS. IN ADDITION, ANONYMITY OF THE VARIOUS CELLS MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THE TERRORISTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER IF THE PREDETERMINED PLAN FAILS. THE GOALS AND PRACTICES OF VARIOUS TERRORIST GROUPS, INCLUDING THE ALGERIAN NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT, THE URUGUAYAN TUPAMAROS, AND THE SAN FRANCISCO-BASED SYMBIONESE LIBERATION ARMY, ARE DISCUSSED. IT IS PREDICTED THAT TERRORIST OPERATIONS WILL BE PERFORMED WITH INCREASING EFFICIENCY AS THEY BECOME MORE TECHNOLOGICALLY SOPHISTICATED. HOWEVER, THE TERRORIST GROUPS WILL BE UNDER POLICE PRESSURE TO RESTRICT THEIR MEMBERSHIP. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (JSP)