Combating Terrorism: How Five Foreign Countries are Organized to Combat Terrorism

• NCJ Number: 183836
• Author(s): Stephen L. Caldwell; Colin L. Chambers; Davi M. D'Agostino; Kathleen Joyce; Paul Rades; Lorelei St. James; Karen Thompson; Raymond J. Wyrsch
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 28 pages
• Corporate Author: US Government Accountability Office
• Sale Source: US Government Accountability Office; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The General Accounting Office (GAO) reviewed counterterrorist practices in five countries (Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the United Kingdom) to determine how these countries are organized and how they allocate resources to combat terrorism.

Abstract

The GAO found the five countries are similar in how they are organized to combat terrorism. Most organizations involved in counterterrorism are under one lead government ministry. However, because many other ministries are also involved, the countries have created interagency coordination bodies. The countries clearly designate the national or local police as being in charge during a terrorist incident. In addition, the countries have national policies that emphasize the prevention of terrorism and primarily use their criminal laws to prosecute terrorists. Government officials in the countries make resource allocations based on the likelihood of terrorist activity and not on the particular country's overall vulnerability to terrorist attack. Appendixes contain supplemental information on security-related policy development and incident leadership in the five countries and on principal law enforcement and intelligence organizations, terrorism laws, and security-related oversight organizations and functions.