NCJ Number
62502
Journal
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT Volume: 75 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 16, 1973) Pages: 37-40
Date Published
1973
Length
4 pages
Annotation
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNMENT COORDINATOR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR COMBATING TERRORISM IS PRESENTED; MEASURES FOR PREVENTING PREVALENT TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE UNITED STATES IS NO LONGER IMMUNE FROM ATTACKS ON DIPLOMATS AND THE THREAT OF GUERRILLA-TYPE ASSASSINATIONS. IN RESPONSE TO THIS SITUATION, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS ESTABLISHED A CENTER FOR COORDINATING EFFORTS IF AN AMERICAN BECOMES A TERRORIST'S VICTIM. WHENEVER AN INCIDENT IS REPORTED, THE OPERATIONS CENTER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIES KEY PEOPLE INVOLVED. A TASK FORCE IS ASSEMBLED WITH OPEN COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNTRY CONCERNED. ALTHOUGH EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT, A STANDARD SET OF OPERATING PROCEDURES BASED ON PREVIOUS INCIDENTS IS EMPLOYED. AFTER THE INCIDENT IS RESOLVED, A COMMITTEE DETERMINES IF THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING NEW WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE CASE OR WILL BE HELPFUL IN THE FUTURE. TODAY, THE MIDDLE EAST AND LATIN AMERICA ARE CONSIDERED THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES IN THE WORLD REGARDING TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. RISKS FACED BY AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN ABROAD APPEAR TO BE GROWING. TO DATE, U.S. DIPLOMATS RECEIVE EXTRA COMPENSATION FOR HAZARDOUS DUTY ASSIGNMENTS ONLY IN SAIGON. DESPITE INCREASED TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, THE FOREIGN SERVICE CONTINUES TO RECEIVE THE USUAL QUOTA OF APPLICANTS, AND RESIGNATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO FEAR OF TERRORISM. ATTACKING THE CAUSE OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PROBLEM OF ALL. ALL GOVERNMENTS BEAR SOME RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT IT AND SHOULD ENFORCE THEIR LAWS TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF VIOLENCE AS AN INSTRUMENT OF CHANGE OR THE REMEDY FOR GRIEVANCES. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED IN THE INTERVIEW. (LWM)