NCJ Number
63452
Date Published
1974
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE STRATEGY OF THE POLITICAL TERRORIST IS OUTLINED, AND THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN RELATION TO TERRORISM IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
BASIC TERRORIST TACTICS ARE TO (1) MOUNT SPECTACULAR ATTACKS AGAINST PROMINENT PERSONS SO AS TO ATTRACT THE YOUNG AND THOSE THIRSTY FOR NOTORIETY; (2) ATTACK DEFENSELESS TARGETS IN DEFIANCE OF CONVENTION AND THUS SPREAD FEAR AND A SENSE OF VULNERABILITY TO IRRATIONAL VIOLENCE; AND (3) DESTROY CITIZENS' CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM'S ABILITY TO PROTECT SO THAT THE TERRORIST'S POWER TO DESTROY APPEARS GREATER THAN THE GOVERNMENT'S POWER TO PRESERVE. POLITICAL TERRORISTS ARE GENERALLY NOT MENTALLY ILL FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF HAVING LOST THE CAPACITY TO BEHAVE RATIONALLY IN MOVING TOWARD PLANNED OBJECTIVES. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH IS THEREFORE NOT APPROPRIATELY CONCERNED WITH THE POLITICAL TERRORIST PER SE SO MUCH AS IT IS CONCERNED WITH THE MENTAL TRAUMAS STIMULATED IN POPULATIONS VICTIMIZED BY TERRORISTS. APPROPRIATE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH TO THE STUDY OF TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES SHOULD INCLUDE (1) BASIC RESEARCH WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO IMPROVED UNDERSTANDING OF THE PHENOMENON AND PROCESSES OF TERROR, INCLUDING SURVEYS OF THE SOCIAL IMPACTS OF PARTICULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES; (2) SUPPLYING OF EXPERTS FROM VARIOUS DISCIPLINES TO STUDY THE PHENOMENA OF TERRORISM IN TRAINING PROJECTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE INVOLVING BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCHERS; AND (3) CONSULTATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR COUNTERTERRORIST PROGRAMS. (RCB)