NCJ Number
53261
Date Published
1978
Length
241 pages
Annotation
THIS COLLECTION OF REPRINTED ARTICLES AND ORIGINAL MATERIAL EXPLORES THEMES DISCUSSED BY PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE (CRS) FORUM, 'TERRORISM: INFORMATION AS A TOOL FOR CONTROL.'
Abstract
THE FORUM WAS HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C, ON APRIL 19, 1978, TO ASSIST THE U.S. CONGRESS IN UNDERSTANDING KEY ISSUES CONCERNING TERRORISM, PARTICULARLY GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SPECIFIC MEASURES WHICH AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES TO MEET THE THREAT OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY. THE FORUM'S PROGRAM GAVE SPECIAL EMPHASIS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN APPROPRIATE FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURES AND MEASURES TO COMBAT TERRORISM WITH THE IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE PRACTICES AS THE CENTRAL THEME. THE PROGRAM WAS DIVIDED INTO FIVE SECTIONS CONSISTING OF AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES, AN EXAMINATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS, A REVIEW OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES, AN ELABORATION OF INFORMATION RESOURCES CONTROLS, AND AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPLICATIONS FOR DEMOCRATIC SOCIETIES. THE PRESERVATION OF TRADITIONAL VALUES AND CIVIL LIBERTIES WAS EMPHASIZED BY MANY OF THE SPEAKERS AND EXPLICITLY DISCUSSED IN THE FINAL SESSION OF THE PROGRAM. THE REPORT OF THE FORUM IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS, A FORUM SUMMARY WHICH INCLUDES A REVIEW OF THE FORUM AND THE STATEMENTS MADE BY THE SPEAKERS, AND ADDITIONAL MATERIALS CONCERNING PRIVACY AND SURVEILLANCE, PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS ON VICTIMS, HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ASSASSINATION, SELECTED FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS ON TERRORISM, AND BIBLIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION. STATEMENTS MADE BY SECRETARY OF STATE CYRUS VANCE CONCERNING THE OMNIBUS ANTITERRORISM ACT OF 1977 ARE PRESENTED FOR THEIR EMPHASIS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR THE APPREHENSION AND EXTRADITION OF HIJACKERS OF COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT. FOR SELECTED READINGS, SEE NCJ 44002, 48533, AND 53262-53264. (TWK)