NCJ Number
57189
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A SEMINAR DISCUSSION THAT FOCUSES ON THE OBSTACLES TO THE CONTROL OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM IS OUTLINED.
Abstract
A THRESHOLD OBSTACLE TO TERRORIST CONTROL HAS BEEN THE INABILITY OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY TO AGREE ON A DEFINITION OF THE TERM. IT HAS ALSO BEEN DIFFICULT TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN TERRORISM AND OTHER COMMON CRIMES. IT HAS THEREFORE BEEN SUGGESTED THAT INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM BE APPROACHED AS A SUBJECT OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW. NO AGREEMENT EXISTS AMONG THE WORLD STATES, HOWEVER, AS TO THE PRECISE CAUSES OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AND THERE IS FUNDAMENTAL DEBATE OVER HOW SERIOUS A THREAT IT IS. DUE TO THESE DISAGREEMENTS, THE WORLD COMMUNITY HAS SO FAR ACTED ONLY IN A LIMITED FASHION TO PROTECT TARGETS DEEMED VITAL TO INTERNATIONAL INTERCOURSE SUCH AS NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT, AIRCRAFT FACILITIES, AND ELECTRIC POWER STATIONS. CURRENT PROCEDURES OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW ARE INADEQUATE TO THE TASK OF APPREHENDING AND PROSECUTING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISTS. EVEN IF TERRORISTS ARE APPREHENDED, THEY ARE SELDOM PROSECUTED. INTERNATIONAL JUDICIAL COOPERATION IN CRIMINAL MATTERS IS VERY LIMITED. SOME STATES AID OR ABET TERRORISTS BY SERVING AS TRAINING CENTERS OR AS SANCTUARIES. AS REGARDS THE UNITED NATIONS ROLE, THERE IS NO CONSENSUS ON THE CURE TO THE PROBLEM. SOME STATES HOLD THAT TERRORISM IS A CRIME AGAINST WHICH STATES SHOULD COOPERATE. OTHERS INSIST NO COOPERATION IS DUE. ANOTHER VIEW IS THAT TERRORISM CAN ONLY BE CURED IF ITS UNDERLYING CAUSES ARE ELIMINATED. DIFFERENT BODIES WITHIN THE U.N. OFFER DIFFERENT PRESCRIPTIONS. EFFORTS BY VARIOUS U.S. AGENCIES TO CONTAIN TERRORISM ARE NOTED AND SPECIAL ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STRATEGY IN THIS AREA. LASTLY, THE STATE OF RESEARCH ON CAUSE AND CONTROL OF TERRORISM WITHIN THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY IS PRESENTED. (MJW)