NCJ Number
61895
Journal
MIDSTREAM Volume: 18 Issue: 9 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1972) Pages: 3-11
Date Published
1972
Length
9 pages
Annotation
ARAB TERRORISM IS IDENTIFIED AS UNIQUELY VICIOUS IN ITS SEIZURE OF HOSTAGES AND TARGETS OF TERRORISM, POLITICAL TERRORISM, AND MURDER ARE CONSIDERED.
Abstract
THERE IS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN INDISCRIMINATE TERROR AND MILITARY OPERATIONS DIRECTED AT SPECIFIC TARGETS, AND THE SCOPE OF ACTION FOR PSYCHOPATHS AND TERRORISTS APPEARS TO BE ALMOST UNLIMITED. ARAB TERRORISTS AND MEMBERS OF OTHER REVOLUTIONARY GROUPS OBSCURE THEIR CRIMES WITH THE TERMINOLOGY OF LIBERATION. THEIR ACTIONS INDICATE A BLUNTING OF SENSIBILITY THAT ERASES ETHICAL DIMENSIONS AS SOON AS REVOLUTIONARY JARGON IS EMPLOYED. UNLIKE REVOLUTIONARY TERRORISM THAT OFTEN FOCUSES ON SPECIFIC TARGETS, ARAB TERRORISM IS UNIQUELY VICIOUS IN ITS SEIZURE OF HOSTAGES. ARAB STATES APPLAUD AND FINANCE TERRORISTS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH BASES OF OPERATION. AS A RESULT, ARAB TERRORISTS ENJOY OPTIMUM CONDITIONS FOR THEIR OPERATIONS. WORLD CONCERNS ABOUT SUCH INCIDENTS AS HIJACKINGS AND THE SEIZURE OF HOSTAGES FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXTORTION AND THE GRANTING OF A PARTICULAR GROUP'S POLITICAL DEMANDS INDICATES GROWING CONSENSUS THAT TERRORISM AND AIR PIRACY MUST BE ELIMINATED BY WORLD ACTION. THE CONTROL OF VIOLENCE CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY VIGILANCE AND ALSO BY MAKING IT TOO EXPENSIVE FOR COUNTRIES TO HARBOR HIJACKERS AND ASSASSINS. THE UNITED STATES HAS SUBMITTED PROPOSALS TO THE UNITED NATIONS THAT PROVIDE FOR THE PROSECUTION OR EXTRADITION OF TERRORISTS AND SANCTIONS AGAINST NATIONS OFFERING TERRORISTS TRAINING BASES OR SANCTUARIES. AN IMPORTANT GOAL IN MINIMIZING TERRORISM IS TO CONVINCE TERRORISTS THAT SUCH ACTS AS BOMBING AND THE MURDER OF HOSTAGES ARE NOT APPROPRIATE IN REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE BUT RATHER CAUSE CHAOS AND REACTION. EXAMPLES OF TERRORIST INCIDENTS ARE DESCRIBED. (DEP)