FEDERAL CAPABILITIES IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND TERRORISM STAFF REPORT OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CIVIL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, HOUSE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY 95TH CONGRESS, 2ND SESSION, DECEMBER 1978

• NCJ Number: 65828
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 235 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislative/Regulatory Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ISSUES CONCERNING GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO TERRORIST ACTS ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES, INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION, AND THE MEDIA'S ROLE.

Abstract

TERRORISM IS NOT PRESCRIBED AS A CRIME IN THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL CODE, ALTHOUGH MOST TERRORIST ACTS INVOLVE CRIMES SUCH AS BOMBINGS OR KIDNAPPINGS. TERRORISM DIFFERS FROM ORDINARY CRIME BECAUSE OF ITS POLITICAL MOTIVATION AND PUBLICITY IMPACT. THE GOVERNMENT TRIES TO PREVENT TERRORISM THROUGH CONVICTIONS OF CAPTURED TERRORISTS AND INCREASED SECURITY. THE FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICY FORMULATIONS AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING IS THE INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP TO COMBAT TERRORISM (IWGCT) UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL. CHAIRED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT, IT HAS REPRESENTATIVES FROM 27 AGENCIES AND IS DIVIDED INTO 5 COMMITTEES HAVING SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS. THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR INTERNATIONAL INCIDENTS OF TERRORISM INVOLVING U.S. INTERESTS WHILE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE FBI HANDLE DOMESTIC INCIDENTS WHICH VIOLATE FEDERAL STATUTES. THE FBI HAS DEVELOPED A HIGH LEVEL OF EXPERTISE IN RESPONDING TO TERRORISTS THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE TRAINING AND RESEARCH PROGRAM. THE COLLECTING AND SHARING OF INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION IS VITAL TO AN EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE. THE FBI HAS RESTRICTED ITS INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES TO KNOWN TERRORISTS AND GROUPS. INFORMATION HAS BEEN SHARED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, BUT OFTEN ON AN INFORMAL BASIS BECAUSE OF CONCERN ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, THE FBI, AND LEAA HAVE FUNDED RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROJECTS ON COMBATING TERRORISM FOR FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES. SINCE STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE OFTEN THE FIRST TO RESPOND TO TERRORIST INCIDENTS, THEIR TRAINING IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT. GUIDELINES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED TO ENABLE THE MEDIA TO COVER THE NEWS WITHOUT HINDERING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS' EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION. APPENDIXES CONTAIN ORGANIZATION CHARTS, DESCRIPTIONS OF THE IWGCT COMMITTEES, ATTORNEY GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR DOEMSTIC SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS, AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON U.S. INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES. A LIST OF LEAA SPONSORED PROJECTS ON TERRORISM AND EXTENSIVE COMMENTS FROM THE NEWS MEDIA ON COVERAGE OF TERRORIST INCIDENTS ARE ALSO PRESENTED. (MJM)