NCJ Number
116034
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1989) Pages: 16,19,22
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examines U.S. vulnerability to terrorist activity by international groups and describes options available to the Government to respond to such terrorist threats.
Abstract
While no international terrorist incident has occurred in the United States since 1983, there are active terrorist groups with an infrastructure and support apparatus within the country. Two laws that establish a legal structure for prosecuting individuals who attack U.S. citizens are reviewed: the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 and the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Anti-Terrorism Act of 1986. The article notes that while several arrest warrants have been obtained under this legislation, only one international terrorist, Fawaz Younis, has been returned to the United States for trial. Five methods that law enforcement in free societies can use to combat international terrorism are described, with examples: military intervention, diplomacy, economic sanctions, covert/undercover operations by intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and application of the law. Also discussed are the roles of professional law enforcement organizations.