NCJ Number
45314
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE UPSURGE IN INCIDENTS OF TERRORISM IN THE 1970'S, INCLUDING THE PERPETRATORS, THEIR MOTIVATIONS, SOCIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS, AND METHODS OF COUNTERACTION, IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
FROM 1968 TO 1975, 82 UNITED STATES DIPLOMATS AND OTHER OFFICIALS ABROAD WERE THE VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS. WITHIN THE COUNTRY, THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION RECORDED 688 INCIDENTS OF TERRORIST VIOLENCE IN THE 4-AND-1/2 YEAR PERIOD SINCE 1970. TECHNOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE GROWING PHENOMENON: VERY SMALL GROUPS CAN OBTAIN EXTREMELY DESTRUCTIVE WEAPONS, EVEN MISSILES; GLOBAL TELEVISION OFFERS AN INSTANTANEOUS AUDIENCE OF MILLIONS TO TERRORISTS; AND THE POST-WORLD WAR II POPULATION EXPLOSION HAS RESULTED IN MILLIONS OF UNDEREMPLOYED YOUTHS BLAMING 'THE SYSTEM' FOR THEIR CONDITION. ACCORDING TO CRIME EXPERTS AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS, THERE ARE THREE MAIN CATEGORIES OF TERRORISTS: (1) ROOTLESS REBELS, THOSE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DROPOUTS FOR WHOM SOME CAUSE PROVIDES THE CHANCE TO FEEL IMPORTANT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES; (2) MINORITES WHO, DEPRIVED OF CULTURAL OR NATIONAL IDENTITY, LATCH ONTO THE REVOLUTIONARY ROLE-MODEL OFFERED IN EXTREMIST PROPAGANDA; AND (3) CRIMINALS, QUICK TO EXPLOIT PROFITABLE TACTICS, WHO MAY FOLLOW THE TERRORISTS' LEAD TOWARD KIDNAPPING BLACKMAIL. MEASURES TO PROTECT AGAINST TERRORISM WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN BY THE UNITED STATES INCLUDE TIGHTENED AIRPORT SECURITY, COACHING OF AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN WORKING ABROAD, IMPROVED PROTECTION OF DIPLOMATS, AND A POLICY OF NO RANDOM OR RELEASE OF PRISONERS IN RETURN FOR HOSTAGES. INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS HAVE BEEN FEW AND INEFFECTIVE. THE COUNTERMEASURE RECOMMENDED IS THAT OF EFFECTIVE INTELLIGENCE TO UNCOVER AND DESTROY TERRORIST GROUPS AND THEIR SUPPORT AUXILIARIES, MAKING USE OF SPIES, WIRETAPS, COMPUTERIZED DOSSIER SYSTEMS, AND THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF CLANDESTINE WARFARE.