NCJ Number
62367
Journal
Soviet Studies Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1974) Pages: 417-440
Date Published
1974
Length
24 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF TERRORISM BY THE BOLSHEVIKS AND OF THE ATTITUDES TOWARDS TERRORISM BY SOVIET LEADERS INDICATES THAT THE SOVIETS HAVE JUSTIFIED SUCH TACTICS AS A MEANS OF SEIZING AND HOLDING POWER.
Abstract
AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOVIET UNION'S APPROACH AND ATTITUDE TOWARD TERRORISM INCREASES IN IMPORTANCE AS THE SOVIETS CONTINUE TO TRAIN AND SUPPLY LEFT-WING GUERRILLAS AND TERRORISTS. EARLY BOLSHEVIK DOCTRINE FAVORED THE USE OF 'REVOLUTIONARY INTERVENTION' WITH THE GOAL OF LIBERATING PEOPLE FROM CAPITALISM. HOWEVER, IN THE 1930'S THE SOVIET UNION MODERATED ITS STANCE ON THE SUPPORT OF ARMED INSURGENTS TO GAIN SUPPORT FROM THE WEST. SOVIET LEGAL LITERATURE RECOGNIZED THE HAZARD TO WORLD PEACE POSED BY ARMED AGGRESSION, BUT DURING THE 1960'S THE SOVIET UNION AND ITS SATELLITES ENGAGED IN TRAINING AND EQUIPPING TERRORIST GROUPS IN AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST. IN CONTRAST WITH SOVIET DOCTRINE, THE MEMBER NATIONS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE QUESTION OF DEFINING AGGRESSION CONSIDERED 'SUPPORT FOR ARMED BANDS' AN INSEPARABLE PART OF AGGRESSION. THE INEVITABILITY OF REVOLUTION IN MARXIST PHILOSOPHY PROVIDES A THEORETICAL JUSTIFICATION FOR SUPPORT OF UNCONVENTIONAL METHODS OF NATIONAL LIBERATION. THEORIES OF SELF-DEFENSE HAVE BEEN USED BY THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT IN RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS FROM CHINA IN THE 1920'S AND IN CRUSHING INTERNAL DISCORD. THE CLAIM OF SELF-DEFENSE REFLECTS THE POLITICAL REALITY OF THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD MARKED BY THE POLARIZATION OF OPPOSING CENTERS OF POWER. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, STATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES; HOWEVER, THE SOVIETS EXTEND THIS CONCEPT TO THE SUPPORT OF TERRORISM IN THE PROPAGATION OF THE WORLDWIDE REVOLUTION. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)