NCJ Number
101519
Date Published
1986
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The role of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and various Middle East states in international terrorism is discussed, along with steps that should be taken to combat State-sponsored terrorism.
Abstract
The PLO serves as an umbrella organization for virtually all Arab terrorist groups and provides them with training, financial support, and weaponry. In addition, Iraq, South Yemen, Libya, Syria, and Iran have adopted terrorism as a principal means of warfare. These five States all are autocratic regimes (except Iran), are deeply anti-Western, and have close ties with the Soviet Union. state-sponsored terrorist activities by these countries have included provision of training, intelligence information, and weapons to terrorist groups throughout the world. Activities they have sponsored include murders, hijackings, and bombings. Three offensive, aggressive steps must be taken to meet the challenges of State-sponsored international terrorism: PLO offices must be closed, governments supporting terrorists through their embassies must be warned that this will no longer be tolerated, and collaboration among the military forces of democratic nations is needed to facilitate operations against terrorist attacks.