NCJ Number
62317
Journal
STRATEGIC REVIEW Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (FALL 1974) Pages: 48-55
Date Published
1974
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE SUCCESS OF THE URUGUAYAN ARMED FORCES IN SUPPRESSING THE TUPAMARO ORGANIZATION IS DESCRIBED, AND THE U.S. ARMED FORCES CAPABILITY TO AID POLICE IN COUNTERTERRORIST EFFORTS IS ANALYZED.
Abstract
URUGUAYAN COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY, NAVY, AND AIR FORCE WERE EMPOWERED, ALONG WITH THE POLICE, TO CONDUCT SEARCHES AND MAKE ARRESTS OF SUSPECTED TUPAMAROS WITHOUT WARRANTS, TO CONDUCT RAIDS AT NIGHT, AND TO HOLD TERRORIST SUSPECTS FOR INDEFINITE PERIODS OF TIME AND BRING THEM BEFORE MILITARY, RATHER THAN CIVIL, TRIBUNALS. THE URUGUAYAN CONFLICT, IN WHICH THE TUPAMAROS ORGANIZATION WAS DESTROYED 2 MONTHS AFTER INTERNAL WAR WAS DECLARED, DEMONSTRATES THAT MILITARY FORCES CAN PROVIDE LOCAL POLICE WITH ASSISTANCE IN COUNTERTERRORIST TACTICS. MILITARY PERSONNEL ARE LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO INFILTRATION AND OUTSIDE PRESSURES AND CAN ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING AND ROOTING OUT CLANDESTINE ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICULARLY INTERNATIONAL ONES. CURRENTLY, AMERICAN TROOPS LACK TRAINING IN COUNTERTERRORIST WARFARE. SUCH TRAINING SHOULD COVER SECURITY OF PERSONNEL AND INSTALLATIONS IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD, PREPARATION OF U.S. PERSONNEL IN SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES WHEN IN ALLIED COUNTRIES, AND PREPARATION OF AMERICAN FORCES TO COUNTER TERRORIST TACTICS ABROAD UNDER WARTIME CONDITIONS. MILITARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS SHOULD STUDY TERRORISM AND DEVELOP A SOUND DOCTRINE CONCERNING IT. ALL AMERICAN MILITARY PERSONNEL BEING SENT ABROAD, ESPECIALLY ATTACHES AND ADVISORY PERSONNEL, SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY BRIEFED ON HOW TO REACT TO TERRORIST ASSAULT. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (AOP)