Report of Legislative Responses to International Terrorism

• NCJ Number: 100601
• Journal: Terrorism Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (1985) Pages: 147-163
• Author(s): J N Moore
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Transcribed from a forum sponsored by the Center for Law and National Security, University of Virginia, in cooperation with the Institute for Studies in International Terrorism, State University of New York. The forum was held on October 3, 1984, at the Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Annotation

In this transcribed panel discussion, four speakers discuss terrorist strategies and the need for international and national legislation for dealing with terrorist threat.

Abstract

The first speaker examines Soviet sponsorship of terrorist activity and suggests that the response to State-sponsored terrorism will require increased public awareness of the problem, establishment of an international concept of political accountability, and the creation of appropriate definitions and penalties in international law. The second speaker discusses pending legislation implementing international treaties on hostage taking and hijacking, providing rewards for information on international terrorism, and establishing prohibitions against American involvement in training and support of terrorists. The third speaker discusses the potential impact and limitations of proposed antiterrorist legislation. The final speaker suggests that legislative means for dealing with terrorism are likely to be ineffective because of the scope of the problem, difficulties in defining the scope of such legislation, and possible constitutional problems.