NCJ Number
48734
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
AFTER DESCRIBING WEAKNESSES WHICH INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES MUST OVERCOME, COUNTERINTELLIGENCE FUNCTIONS ESSENTIAL FOR COMBATING TERRORISM ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE RECENT 'INTELLIGENCE CRISIS' RESULTED FROM A MISMANAGEMENT OF INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS THAT WENT BEYOND THE PARAMETERS SET FOR INTELLIGENCE GATHERING. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF INTELLIGENCE WORK IS TO GATHER INFORMATION ABOUT SUBVERSIVE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, SO THAT ON THE BASIS OF ADEQUATE AND ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CAN TAKE COUNTERMEASURES ALLOWED BY LAW. THE RECENT MISMANAGEMENT OF INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS INVOLVED A TOO EASY BLENDING OF INFORMATION GATHERING AND CLANDESTINE ACTION BASED ON INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE LAWS WITHIN WHICH OUR MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL MUST FUNCTION. A CLEAR SEPARATION OF INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS DESIGNED TO GAIN INFORMATION ABOUT SUBVERSIVE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AND COUNTERMOVES DESIGNED TO CHECK SUCH OPERATIONS IS ADVOCATED. IT IS URGED THAT LEGISLATION BE DEVISED TO CLEARLY DEFINE THIS SEPARATION AND REGULATE THE ACTIVITIES OF EACH ENTERPRISE. INFORMATION GATHERING TO DETERMINE THE PLANS AND ACTIVITIES OF TERRORIST GROUPS IS ESSENTIAL EVEN THOUGH SUCH EFFORTS MAY APPROACH INFRINGEMENT ON PRIVACY. HOWEVER, SINCE PRIVACY IS ALSO CONDUCIVE TO SECRECY AND SURREPTITIOUS ACTIVITY, EFFECTIVE INTELLIGENCE MUST RISK THE POSSIBILITY OF INFRINGING THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF INNOCENT CITIZENS. BACKING OFF FROM THIS RISK WOULD CRIPPLE THE INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS NECESSARY TO CHECK TERRORIST ACTIVITY BEFORE IT OCCURS. NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)