NCJ Number
63422
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 3 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 109-115
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE NEED FOR A CENTRALIZED INFORMATION SOURCE ON TERRORIST ACTIVITIES AND TERRORIST SUPPORTERS BOTH WITHIN THE U.S. AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
INTERCEPTION OF TERRORISTS ACTS BEFORE THEY ARE COMPLETED IS A VITAL ELEMENT IN COMBATTING TERRORISM AND DEPENDS ON TIMELY, ACCURATE INTELLIGENCE. THE INTELLIGENCE PROCESS CONSISTS OF THE SYSTEMATIC COLLECTION, EVALUATION, ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION SO THAT A PICTURE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE AND TRENDS IN CURRENT EVENTS CAN BE DRAWN. INFORMATION CAN BE ASSESSED MOST EFFECTIVELY WHEN IT IS COLLATED IN ONE PLACE. IN THE UNITED STATES, SEVERAL AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE GBI, THE STATE DEPARTEMENT, AND THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, COLLECT INFORMATION ON TERRORISTS AND HAVE DEVELOPED INTELLIGENCE FILES. HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT COOPERATE IN A CENTRALIZED DATA BASE. THE POOLING OF INFORMATION WOULD IMPROVE THE U.S. ANALYTICAL CAPABILITY AND PROVIDE GREATER PROTECTION FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES BY CENTRALIZING CONTROLS. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS FROM THE U.S. AND WESTERN EUROPE HAVE AGREED THAT AN INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST DATA BANK IS NOT FEASIBLE BECAUSE OF POLITICAL FACTORS AND DIFFERING GOVERNMENT ATTITUDES, BUT THEY DID CONCUR ON THE NEED FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TERRORISTS. INTERPOL WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE ONLY WHEN TERRORISTS ACTS VIOLATE CRIMINAL LAW. IT MUST REMAIN DETACHED FROM POLITICAL CONTROVERSY. INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (EEC) HAVE BEGUN TO MEET ON A REGULAR BASIS TO DISCUSS TERRORISM, AND INFORMAL EXCHANGES OF INFORMATION OCCUR DURING THE COURSE OF NATO AND INTERPOL ACTIVITIES. USING THE EEC GROUP WITH THE ADDITION OF THE U.S. AND CANADA AS A BASE, AN AD HOC CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INTELLIGENCE COULD BE ESTABLISHED TO POOL INFORMATION AND MAINTAIN AN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK. AN EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO TERRORISM ENTAILS STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN THE PRIVATE INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUALS AND NATIONS AND THE SECURITY PROVIDED BY COLLECTIVE ACTION. FOOTNOTES ARE APPENDED. (MJM)