NCJ Number
53139
Date Published
1977
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF FEAR AS A WEAPON DIFFERENTIATING MODERN FROM PREVIOUS TERRORISTS IS DISCUSSED. DESPITE THE EXAMPLE OF ROBESPIERRE IN THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, TERRORISTS HAVE MET WITH LITTLE SUCCESS UNTIL RECENTLY.
Abstract
TERRORIST STRATEGIES HAVE BEEN BASED ON PROVOCATION THAT TURNS CRIMINALS INTO HEROS AND POLICE OFFICERS INTO VICTIMS. AS IN THE CASE OF THE IRGUN AGAINST GREAT BRITAIN AND OF THE ALGERIAN NATIONALISTS AGAINST FRANCE, THE STRATEGY IS TO AROUSE THE FEAR OF THE STRONG OPPONENT, SO THAT THE OPPONENT REACTS WITH INTENSIFIED MILITARY POTENTIAL AND DRAGS HIMSELF DOWN. TERRORIST REVOLUTIONARIES IN LIBERAL GOVERNMENT TO BECOME REPRESSIVE, THEREBY ALIENATING THE POPULUS, OR TO UNMASK THE DEMOCRACY AS A POLICE STATE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN OVERTHROWING THE GOVERNMENT. THE PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS HAVE DIRECTED THEIR EFFORTS TOWARDS AROUSING FEAR AMONG THE ARABS IN ISRAEL, AMONG THE ISRAELIS THEMSELVES, AND AMONG INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVELERS; SUCH A MASSIVE CAMPAIGN REQUIRES PUBLICITY, WHICH DOES NOT ALWAYS TAKE THE FORM SOUGHT BY THE TERRORISTS. THE STRATEGY IS PSYCHOLOGICAL, IN THAT GOALS ARE REACHED NOT THROUGH DEEDS BUT THROUGH REACTIONS TO DEEDS; MURDER BECOMES AN IMPERSONAL MEANS OF INDUCING POLICE MEASURES RATHER THAN A METHOD OF ELIMINATING AN UNDESIRABLE ADVERSARY. TERRORIST MOVEMENTS LOSE THEIR IMPETUS WHEN THEIR ACTIONS TURN PUBLIC OPINION AGAINST THEM. ALTHOUGH TECHNOLOGY CAN BE HELPFUL IN PROTECTING AIR PASSENGERS AGAINST TERRORIST INITIATIVES, LEGAL MEASURES OF PROTECTION HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPLIED BECAUSE OF THE RETICENCE OF MOST GOVERNMENTS TO APPLY AVAILABLE LAWS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT TERRORISM CAN BEST BE COMBATTED BY REFUSAL OF AUTHORITIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO REACT AS TERRORISTS EXPECT, EVEN IF THIS REQUIRES SACRIFICE. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)