NCJ Number
62271
Date Published
1979
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE KIND OF PEOPLE WHO BECOME TERRORISTS AND WHY, HOW MUCH OF A THREAT THEY POSE TO SOCIETY, AND HOW THEY FIT IN WITH OTHER THREATS TO DISRUPT SOCIETY ARE TOPICS DISCUSSED BY A RETIRED BRITISH ARMY GENERAL.
Abstract
SINCE 1945, OVER 90 PERCENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS IN THE WORLD HAVE BEEN INTERNAL CONFLICTS--GUERRILLA WARFARE AND TERRORISM--IN WHICH THERE HAS BEEN DIRECT OR INDIRECT OUTSIDE INTERVENTION OR SUPPORT FOR ONE OR BOTH SIDES. THE CONTRASTS BETWEEN THE MARXIST, FASCIST, AND ANARCHIST TERRORIST ARE SHOWN; THE MARXIST AND THE FASCIST ARE BOTH AUTHORITARIAN, WHEREAS THE ANARCHIST WANTS TO DESTROY HIERARCHIES ALTOGETHER AND RETURN TO THE 'FREEDOM OF THE JUNGLE.' MODERN TERRORISM EXPLOITS AN INTERNAL CONFLICT IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. TECHNIQUES TO CAUSE INTERNAL DISRUPTION IN A PLURALISTIC SOCIETY ARE EXAMINED, WITH EXAMPLES GIVEN FROM GREAT BRITAIN. THE PART PLAYED BY OUTSIDE FORCES SUCH AS THE SOVIET UNION (AND ITS INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, THE KBG,) SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED. TERRORIST CELLS COMPRISE BETWEEN 5 AND 12 MEMBERS, BUT SOMETIMES AS MANY AS 20. THE IRA CELLS USUALLY HAVE 15 OFFICERS. THE STRUCTURE OF A BATTALION IS BUILT AROUND A CELL OF 5, 10, OR 15 OFFICERS. THE SHORT-TERM AIMS OF TERRORISM INCLUDE PUBLICITY, BLACKMAIL, AND RANSOM WHILE LONG-TERM AIMS MAY BE NATIONALIST, RELIGIOUS, OR REVOLUTIONARY. THE MOTIVATIONS OF AFFLUENT TERRORIST ARE EXAMINED. DUE TO MEDIA EXPOSURE, CONTACTS AMONG VARIOUS TERRORIST GROUPS HAVE DEVELOPED AND ALSO THE PHENOMENOM OF THE TRAVELING REVOLUTIONARY. TERRORISM WILL CONTINUE TO BE INTERNATIONAL RATHER THAN INDIGENOUS, AND THE TRAVELING TERRORIST WILL REMAIN A PROBLEM. LINKS BETWEEN TERRORISTS AND THE CRIMINAL WORLD WILL GROW STRONGER. THE GREATEST DANGER LIES IN OVERREACTION TO TERRORIST ACTS. INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION IS VITAL TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE PROBLEM, AND EVEN THE MEDIA CAN BE USED POSITIVELY TO PUBLICIZE THE TRUE NATURE OF TERRORISM. (PRG)