NCJ Number
54059
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ARE REVIEWED IN THIS STATEMENT PREPARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Abstract
THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND REFINING POLICIES AND OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR DEALING WITH TERRORIST THREATS TO U.S. CITIZENS AND INTERESTS ABROAD. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PROTECT CITIZENS AND U.S. INTERESTS BY PREVENTING OR CONTROLLING TERRORIST ATTACKS. METHODS INCLUDE INTELLIGENCE ON TERRORIST MOVEMENTS AND PLANS, PHYSICAL SECURITY MEASURES FOR PEOPLE AND INSTALLATIONS, EFFECTIVE CRISIS MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES DURING AN INCIDENT, AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS. FACTORS THAT MAKE CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY VULNERABLE TO VIOLENT ACTS OF TERRORISM ARE POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION, DISAFFECTED NATIONAL GROUPS, MODERN WEAPONS, COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT, THE EXISTENCE OF COUNTRIES THAT TRAIN AND FINANCE TERRORISTS, AND WORLDWIDE MEDIA COVERAGE. THE UNITED STATES WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN NEGOTIATING THREE CONVENTIONS ON THE HIJACKING AND SABOTAGE OF COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT: 1963 TOKYO CONVENTION, 1970 HAGUE CONVENTION, AND 1971 MONTREAL CONVENTION. IT WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN HAVING THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION ADOPT TECHNICAL SECURITY STANDARDS FOR USE BY 140 MEMBER COUNTRIES IN PREVENTING AVIATION CRIMES. TWO REGIONAL EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH THE THREAT OF TERRORISM WERE THE ADOPTION OF A CONVENTION TO PREVENT AND PUNISH ACTS OF TERRORISM AGAINST PERSONS ENTITLED TO SPECIAL PROTECTION UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW BY THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES IN 1971 AND THE ADOPTION OF A CONVENTION ON THE SUPPRESSION OF TERRORISM BY THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE IN 1976. A STUDY BY THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW INDICATES THAT MOST COUNTRIES HAVE DONE LITTLE TO ENACT LEGISLATION DEALING SPECIFICALLY WITH ACTS OF TERRORISM. FOUR TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST INCIDENTS ARE CITED: (1) A HIGHER NUMBER OF INCIDENTS WORLDWIDE; (2) A REVERSAL OF THE DOWNWARD TREND IN THE HIJACKING OF FOREIGN COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES; (3) A DECLINE IN THE MORE COMPLICATED AND RISKY HOSTAGE-BARRICADE TYPE OF OPERATION AND A MARKED INCREASE IN SIMPLER BUT MORE LETHAL ATTACKS SUCH AS BOMBINGS, ASSASSINATIONS, AND ARMED ASSAULTS; AND (4) A DECLINE IN THE PROPORTION OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST INCIDENTS DIRECTED AGAINST U.S. CITIZENS AND INTERESTS. (DEP)