NCJ Number
51644
Date Published
1978
Length
17 pages
Annotation
POLITICAL, LEGAL, AND PRACTICAL IMPEDIMENTS TO AN EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL AND TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM ARE EXAMINED. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR U.S. POLICY REVIEW ARE PROVIDED.
Abstract
IN TERMS OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND TREATIES, THERE IS A NEED FOR THE ELIMINATION OF TERRORIST SANCTUARIES, A NARROWING OF THE POLITICAL CRIME EXCEPTIONS TO EXTRADITION TREATIES, THE CLARIFICATION OF RESTRICTIONS IN THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION (INTERPOL) CONSTITUTION, AND THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION OF PASSPORT DOCUMENTATION AND AIRPORT SECURITY. UNDER CONSIDERATION OF NATIONAL LEGAL CONSTRAINTS, A NUMBER OF ISSUES CLUSTER AROUND THE GATHERING, FILING, AND DISSEMINATION OF ANTITERRORIST INTELLIGENCE. INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITY, BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, HAS BEEN THE CENTER OF CONTROVERSY AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS. AMBIGUITIES PLAGUE U.S. POLICY GUIDELINES REGARDING THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION ON PERSONS BELIEVED TO BE INVOLVED IN INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST OR NARCOTIC ACTIVITY. THE SAME AMBIGUITY HAMPERS THE PHYSICAL SURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, THE DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY. THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 HAS ALSO CREATED PROBLEMS IN TERMS OF INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND THE PROTECTION OF INFORMATION SOURCES. ISSUES CONCERNING THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FURTHER AFFECT THE HANDLING OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. ALTHOUGH THE MOST PROMINENT OF THESE CONCERNS ARE MECHANISMS TO FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN THE POLICE OF DIFFERENT NATIONS, JURISDICTIONAL CONFLICTS, THE ROLE OF AN INTERPOL ACTION FORCE VERSUS AN INTERNATIONAL WORKING GROUP, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL DETENTION CENTER DESIGNED TO DEFLECT TERROR REPRISALS FROM ANY ONE COUNTRY ARE FURTHER CONCERNS RAISED BY THE PROBLEM OF INTERNATIONAL AND TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM. REFERENCE NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (KBL)