NCJ Number
62270
Date Published
1979
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THE POLITICAL PROBLEMS OF COMBATING TERRORISM IN GENERAL AND IN NORTHERN IRELAND IN PARTICULAR ARE DISCUSSED BY A FORMER GOVERNOR OF NORTHERN IRELAND.
Abstract
TERRORISM IS A CONTEST OF WILLS AS WELL AS A CONTEST OF PHYSICAL STRENGTH. IN FIGHTING TERRORISM IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE BRITISH AUTHORITIES MUST ABIDE BY THE LAW, BUT THE TERRORISTS DO NOT. THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS THE CHOICE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT FOR DEALING WITH TERRORISM. BECAUSE THE CIVIL POLICE COULD NOT DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE TERRORISTS, THE ARMED FORCES OF THE CROWN WERE CALLED IN TO KEEP THE PEACE. DEVELOPMENTS LEADING UP TO THIS CHANGE IN AUTHORITY ARE DISCUSSED, AND THE PROBLEMS OF DIVIDED CONTROL ARE EXAMINED. IN DEALING WITH AN INSURGENT OR SUBVERSIVE ENEMY, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS ADEQUATE INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION, PREFERABLY EARLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT ENEMY ACTION. THERE SHOULD BE AN AUTHORITY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COLLECTION, COLLATION, AND ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENEMY, ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL, EQUAL IN STATUS TO THE CHIEF MILITARY AND CIVIL EXECUTIVES. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ADEQUATE INTELLIGENCE ORGANIZATION USUALLY ENCOUNTERS POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES, BECAUSE CITIZENS GENERALLY PREFER NOT TO ADMIT THE EXISTENCE OF SPIES. THE CUSTODY OF TERRORIST PRISONERS IS ANOTHER PROBLEM SINCE POLITICAL PRISONERS ARE ENTITLED TO LIVING CONDITIONS ACCEPTABLE TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND THE RED CROSS. A BASIC PROBLEM IS THE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT IMPOSED ON SOLDIERS AND POLICE COMBATING TERRORISM AND THOSE OF THE TERRORISTS WHO HAVE NO INHIBITIONS ABOUT INJURING INNOCENT PERSONS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (PRG)