NCJ Number
46842
Date Published
Unknown
Length
28 pages
Annotation
THE AIMS, STRATEGIES, AND ORGANIZATION OF TERRORIST GROUPS ARE DISCUSSED AND GUIDELINES FOR PERSONAL SECURITY MEASURES AGAINST ACTS OF TERRORISM AND FOR INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE IN A HOSTAGE SITUATION ARE GIVEN.
Abstract
TERRORIST ACTS HAVE BEEN INCREASING WORLDWIDE. SUCH ACTS ARE USUALLY ARE CARRIED OUT BY A POLITICALLY/IDEOLOGICALLY ORIENTED GROUP AND MAY BE DOMESTIC OR INTERNATIONAL IN NATURE. THEIR AIM IS USUALLY TO GAIN CONCESSIONS OR PUBLICITY THROUGH THE USE OF VIOLENCE OR THREATENED VIOLENCE TO INDUCE FEAR AND COMPLIANCE. THEIR TARGETS TEND TO BE VULNERABLE, ARE OFTEN SYMBOLIC, AND ARE SITUATED TO ENSURE MAXIMUM ATTENTION AND VISIBILITY. THE INCIDENCE OF VIOLENCE IN TERRORIST ATTACKS HAS BEEN ESCALATING, AND TERRORIST TACTICS AND ORGANIZATION, BOTH INTERNAL AND OPERATIONAL, HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED. TERRORIST ACTS MAY INCLUDE ASSASINATION, BOMBING, KIDNAPING HIJACKING, SHOOTING, OR ROBBERY. WEAPONS ARE MOST COMMONLY EXPLOSIVE DEVICES OR LIGHT FIREARMS, ALTHOUGH THE USE OF MORE SOPHISTICATED WEAPONRY MAY BECOME WIDESPREAD. TRUE TERRORISTS ARE GENERALLY RATIONAL AND HIGHLY COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS; THE TYPICAL TERRORIST IS YOUNG, MALE, AND REASONABLY WELL-EDUCATED. IN GENERAL, MEASURES WHICH CAN INCREASE PERSONAL SECURITY INCLUDE AVOIDING ISOLATED SITUATIONS AND AREAS, KEEPING DOORS LOCKED AND WINDOWS CLOSED IN THE RESIDENCE/OFFICE AND AUTOMOBILE, AVOIDING PREDICTABLE AND ROUTINE PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR, MAINTAINING A CONTINUAL AWARENESS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SURVEILLANCE OR THREAT, MAINTAINING TIES WITH AUTHORITIES AND REPORTING SUSPICIOUS OCCURRENCES, AND NOT DIVULGING PERSONAL INFORMATION. SIMILAR GUIDELINES ARE PRESENTED FOR OFFICE SECURITY, FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, FOR CHILDREN, AND FOR SCHOOL AUTHORITIES. GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES OF HOSTAGES OR KIDNAPPED INDIVIDUALS IS PRESENTED. THE INDIVIDUAL SHOULD NORMALLY NOT ATTEMPT TO RESIST OR FLEE HIS CAPTORS. HE SHOULD REMAIN AS CALM AS POSSIBLE, CONCENTRATE ON HIS PERSONAL INTEGRITY AND SENSE OF DUTY, AND NOT BECOME DEPRESSED ABOUT PROLONGED NEGOTIATIONS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE INDIVIDUAL ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CAPTOR AND COMPLY WITH ALL REASONABLE REQUESTS. IF POSSIBLE, INFORMATION WHICH WILL AID IN IDENTIFYING THE ABDUCTOR AND LOCATION SHOULD BE NOTED. THE CAPTIVE SHOULD AVOID PROVOCATIVE OR BELLIGERENT REMARKS OR ACTIONS AND NOT REVEAL CLASSIFIED INFORMATION. HE SHOULD ALSO ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN PERMISSION TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE U.S. EMBASSY OR OTHER GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE, HIS COMMANDER, OR HIS FAMILY, IN THAT ORDER. REFERENCES TO PERTINENT ARMY PUBLICATIONS ARE ALSO PROVIDED. (JAP)