NCJ Number
32246
Journal
SKEPTIC Issue: 11 Dated: (JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1976) Pages: 44-49
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE AUTHOR OUTLINES A FORCEFUL APPROACH TO TERRORISM CONTROL WHICH RELIES ON EXTENSIVE INTELLIGENCE GATHERING, SPECIALLY TRAINED POLICE AND TASK FORCES, AND A MEDIA CAMPAIGN TO MOBILIZE PUBLIC OPINION AGAINST TERRORISTS.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR STRESSES THAT IF LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES AND THE GOVERNMENT DO NOT STAND UP TO TERRORISM, THEY RUN THE RISK OF LENDING CREDIBILITY TO THE TERRORISTS' CLAIM TO BE A LEGITIMATE POLITICAL FORCE. HOWEVER, HE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TOO STRONG A RESPONSE TO TERRORISM MAY POSE A THREAT TO CIVIL LIBERTIES. THE AUTHOR PROPOSES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT COORDINATED ANTI-TERRORISM PLANNING BE INSTITUTED IN ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, THAT INTENSIVE INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS BE UNDERTAKEN, THAT SPECIAL POLICE AND ANTI-TERRORISM TASKS FORCES BE FORMED, AND THAT A STRONG ANTI-TERRORISM MEDIA CAMPAIGN BE UNDERTAKEN TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR DECISIVE GOVERNMENT COUNTERMEASURES. ALSO RECOMMENDED ARE STRICTER CONTROLS ON EXPLOSIVES, THE TEMPORARY GRANTING OF EMERGENCY RESTRICTIONS OF LEGAL SAFEGUARDS IN CRISIS SITUATIONS, AND PROVISION OF ADVANCED WEAPONRY AND TECHNICAL AIDS TO THOSE DEALING WITH TERRORISTS. ON AN INTERNATIONAL SCALE, THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT INCREASED INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES BE INSTITUTED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)