UNIT 22 INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Structure
22.0 Objectives
22.1 Introduction
22.2 Genesis of International Terrorism
22.2.1 Nature of International Terrorism
22.2.2 Types of International Terrorism
22.2.3 Pattern of Global Terrorism
22.3 Urban Terrorism
22.3.1 Urban Terrorist Bodies
22.3.2 Techniques of the Urban Terrorists
22.3.3 Modes of Combating Urban Terrorism
22.4 Rural Terrorism
22.4.1 Growth of Rural Terrorism
22.4.2 Rural Terrorist Activities in Asia and Africa
22.4.3 Rural Terrorist Activities in Latin America
22.5 Fighting Global Terrorism
22.5.1 Preventing the Process of People Killing Each Other
22.5.2 Laws to Prevent Terrorist Practices
22.6 Let Us Sum Up
22.7 Key Words
22.8 Some Useful Books
22.9 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

22.0 OBJECTIVES
This unit deals with the nature and patterns of global terrorism, its operation at the
urban and rural level and the attempts which can be made to curb terrorist practices at
the international level. After studying this unit, you should be able to:
define the term 'terrorism' and understand it at the international level,
explain the different types of international terrorism,
8 understand the pattern of global terrorism,
8 recognise the two prominent levels at which international terrorism operates -
urban and rural,
8 analyse the importance of preventing terrorist practices.

22.1 INTRODUCTION
The word 'terrorism' has emerged from the Latin verbs 'terrere' and 'deterre' which
means an act to tremble and frighten respectively. It implies a strategy to achieve
avowed objectives via the systematic use of violence thereby undermining the lawful
authority of a government or a state. When the ruling authorities or the state fails to
redress the grievances of the people and resorts to oppression and an undue
infringement on their rights, it becomes imperative for the terrorists to make the
concerned authorities accept their perspective by means of terror. Terrorism thus
particularly has political overtures as it seeks to influence politics and governmental
behaviour through in an adverse manner. But terrorist activities are sometimes tacitly
applauded by the public as the terrorists succeed in making explicit the failures of the
political machinery. It follows that governments which are involved in large scale abuse
of its powers become vulnerable to such attacks by the terrorists. However terrorists
may estrange themselves from the community if their activities directly hamper the
economy of the concerned country and result in a loss of jobs.
Terrorism does not have an universally accepted definition. As it is the cheapest way to
fight without actually going to war terrorist practices have been prevalent always in all
Issues in Development parts of the globe and has left it scar in every stages of history. But it had become
popular only during the 1790's and henceforth, when revolutionary France sought to do
away with the aristocracy and its concomitants.

22.2 GENESIS OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

22.2.1 Nature of International Terrorism

As terrorism is a world wide phenomenon, any related act involves several nations
thereby making the process a complicated one. ~h essential precondition of international
terrorism calls for international linkages between terrorist organisations and groups. Their
.
use of violence at times makes their goals and objectives obscured. These groups
however exchange equipments, involve themselves in combine operation planning, avail
the benefits of each others training areas and support each other from the administrative
and logical points of view. The terrorists in fact considers the world as a stage where
their problems, intentions and imaginations are made public. 'I'hey have no regard for
their national boundaries. They belong to one country, achieve their training in some
other country, get their finances and operate in some other different countries.
Technological advancements have introduced new kinds of weapons and explosives in
the fields of terrorism. Moreover the entry of criminals on an individual plane and the
mergence of criminal gangs have changed the character of terrorism from being a
politically motivated one to a criminally motivated one which comparatively is more
dangerous.

22.2.2 Types of International Terrorism

Terrorism are of varied kinds no matter at which level it operates. -They .are:
a) Discriminate and Indiscriminate Terrorism: This distinction is based on the
activities undertaken by the terrorists. The former can be easily comprehended as
discriminate terrorists attack their obvious enemies. All their victims are either
combatants or potential billigerents. Such terrorism thus has an element of
justification. The latter is always difficult to understand as in it people are
indiscriminately attacked. Innocent public may be perceived as legitimate targets
because they happen to be at the sight of the attack. The cause of such an attack is
difficult to determine as it has no justification behind it.
b) Right wing terrorism and Left wing Terrorism: The former involves themselves in
pro-government activities and are reactionary in nature. The latter emerge from the
intellectual class of the society and have a strong desire to move the economy in
the right direction. Some of them may address one particulai problem and adopt
terror related methods to publicise their cause and hence gain a sympathetic
hearing.
c) Nationalists and separatists: Such terrorists are imbued with a sense of nationhood
and want their state or temtory to be returned back so that their land is recognised
as an independent entity in the pages of history. The desire what they perceive to
be originally belonging to them.

22.2.3 Pattern of Global Terrorism

Terrorism has been prevalent throughout history, engulfing all regions of the globe. Use
of terrorist techniques by factions against regimes is an age old phenomenon. It can be
traced, to the Roman emperors who used such means to discourage any threat to their
rule. However the first prominent instance of a movement resorting to terrorism as a
major weapon was the Assassin Sect of the Middle East which had sent its agents
throughout the Muslim world to carry out a chain of murders during the eleventh and
the twelfth centuries. Significantly enough, the contemporary wave of global terrorism
received a major bcpst in the late 1960's from the same area. Terror was openly
sponsored during the French Revolution in order to instill a revolutionary fervour among
the people. Gradually the supporters of anarchism in Russia, the United States and
means to bring about revolutionary political and social change. From 1865 to 1905 the
 scene of global terrorism was thus restricted to these countries where prime official were International Terrorism
'killed by anarchists guns or bombs.
The twentieth century brought about revolutionary changes in the techniques and use of
terrorism. Technological upgraduation gave the terrorists a new mobility and lethality.
Political movement of all shades of the political spectrum began to use such tactics. In
.fact totalitarian regimes of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and the Soviet Union
under Stalin virtually adopted terrorism as their State policy though they did not
acknowledge it publicly. +In these States such techniques like torture and execution were
carried out without legal restrictions to make people fearfully adhere to their policies
and ideologies. Mao introduced a reign of terror. on a much wider scale than Stalin. Iran
too experienced a phase of terror and counter-terror during the regimes of Reze Shah
and Khomeine when executions and mass murders were carried out on large scale.
Similarly Spain too experienced violence of numerous kinds terrorist, leftist state
spofiored and the like.
Terrorism is generally identified with attempts made by individuals or groups to
destabilise or overthrow existing political institutions. At the global level terrorism has
been used in anti-colonial conflicts whether by both the sides or by one side (Algeria
and France), it has been used by groups of different religious denominations (Catholics
and Protestants in Northern Ireland), in conflicts between two national groups over
possession of contested homeland (Palestinians and Israel) and also in disputes between
revolutionary forces and established governments (Iran, Indonesia, Argentina etc.)
With advancement in the means of communication and media the public impact of any
terrorist act gets wide coverage thereby bringing the event directly to millions of viewers
worldwide who in turn becomes aware of the grievances or political goods of the
terrorists. Modem day terrorism sometimes pursue unrealistic goals thereby loosing
popular support and alienating themselves form the political mainstream. As such they
resort to such violent acts like hijackings, bombings, kidnappings etc. The most
prominent terrorist groups of the latter twentieth century include the Baader-Meinhof
Gang of West Germany, Italy's Red Brigades, ~rahce'sDirect Action, al-Fatat and other
Palestinian organisations and the like international collaboration is an essential feature of
modern day global terrorism. The terrorists operating on a global scale are today
establishing linkages worldwide and are basing their connections on religion, race or
political ideology. Sometimes terrorist groups are trained financed and equipped by
agencies of countries other than those where they operate. The incidence of terrorism
thus has grown alarmingly. Some countries particularly the super powers are today using
the instrument of terror and violence to pursue their foreign policy goals. Thus the main
sponsor of global terrorism the big powers who have no regard for international
frontiers, making terrprism a preventing phenomena.
Terrorism has assumed different forms in different countries alongwith it the response of
the lawful government of the concerned countries have also been varied. In Federal
Germany detail analysis and classification of offences are carried out and the
characteristics of terrorists are worked out. Moreover in this country police action
against terrorism has become highly organised with each item of terrorist information
being automatically linked to a sophisticated radio network. In France terrorism has
taken the form of war and the Government is making use of computerised records to
register and study terrorist crimes. Terrorist activities in Britain are mainly carried out
by the banned organisation called the Irish Republican Army. This body was the
culmination of age old hatred of Irish Roman Catholics against the injustice meted out
by the Protestant majority in Britain. Formed in 1919 it continues to cany out such
activities as murdersarson and such other acts sometimes in a small measure and
sometimes in a small manner but it goes to the credit of British democracy that instead
of resorting to illegal shootings and torture of the terrorist, it has dealt with the crisis
with extraordinary stringent legislation, a supportive judiciary and the public.
Today terrorism has become a lethal weapon for initiating a process of destabilisation. It
owes its origin to a few evil men who laid down the basic tenets for terrorist activities
and initiated a trial of blood and violence. The most noted among them was Carlos, who
originally hailed from Venzuala. Also known as the Jackel he is universally regarded as
the chief protagonist of terrorists. He codified the aims of terrorists and the means of
achieving them and enumerated a test of skills to be acquired by terrorists. He posed a
challenge to governments around the globe till he met his death.
Issues in Developme& Over the years a clear distinction could be drawn between politically motivated and
criminally motivated terrorism. The formed terrorises people to exhort money to ,

maintain their groups. They have both foreign support and internal popular sympathy.
The latter is motivated by criminal pecuniary gain and is led by criminal gangs who
specidlise in kidnap and ransom. The former is difficult to curb because of popular
sympathy but the latter can be checked effectively by efficient policing and intelligence
work.

Check Your Progress 1

Note: i) Use the space below for your answers.

ii) Check your answers with the model answers given at the end of the unit.
1) What is international terrorism?
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2) Can you enumerate the different type of terrorism?

22.3 URBAN TERRORISM

Urban Terrorism as the name goes involved terrorist activities in the urban areas. In its
existing .form it is a relatively recent phenomenon. It was particularly meant to
destabilise democratic societies in an effective manner thereby encouraging an
authoritarian regime.

22.3.1 Urban Terrorists Bodies

International terrorism is largely urban in character. It dates back to the 1940's when
Irgun Zuai Leumi (IZL) of Palestine conducted urban campaigns for terrorist practices.
Brazil followed the same path in 1969. It began simultaneously in countries like Brazil,
Uruguay, Guatemala and the Palestinians. The main constituent part of Arafat's Palestine
liberation organisation (PLO) is his own al Fatah which has spread terror almost entirely
within the Middle East. International terrorist operations have been carried out by the
smaller constituent P- ganisations of the PLO which does not have a permanent home,
renunciation of terrorist methods would be a far fetched goal. Lebanon has also been the
target of Islamic fundamentalism since long.
Government agents do not carry out individual international terrorist attacks as they may
prove to be ccunter productive if found out. But Iran, Iraq and Libya have been
exceptitns to his rule. They have not only provided facilities for terrorist was the
'fatwa' pron:. lnced against British Indian author Salman Rushdie for alleged blasphemy.
However Srlidarn Hussain of Iraq exceeded everybody in the use of terrorism againzt
his ov 11 pe - )Ie !: exterminate thousands of Iraqi Kurds in 1988. Algeria and Egypt
have a!so I: .zed ':rrorist campaigns by Islamic Fundamentalists. The IRA extort a l a r ~ e
sum o! m:, iom the people and operate with an overall military structure mainly in
the well-dl f~nf;: areas of Northern Ireland. The fanatical IRA members are still active
today ana g,or~tlue the process of killing.
An unse; .*bu: deadly form of terror - ethnic cleansing present in crude forms since th
dawn of 'isation, continues to be practised by majorities when they wish to frightx
--"

the ~i t -. to leaving their territory. Beginning prominently from Hitler and St:
it emerged on a massive scale in Croatia and Bosnia, Herzegovinia following the break International Terrorism
up of Yugoslavia in 1991. It also occurred in numerous former Soviet States and to
some extent in Germany by the new Nazis against Turkish guest workers. Still there are
many places like Macedonia and Slovakia which run the risk of such a process.
Considering the scale of human misery created because of this terror, it can be
considered as the worst form of terrorism in the twentieth century. This bloodstained
process constitutes of men who preferred to kill or eliminate each other rather than
living together.

22.3.2 Techniques of the Urban Terrorists

The urban terrorists use varied techniques. Firstly, the militant environmental and
animal rights, group avoid inflicting human casualties and confine themselves to the
use of bombs and other violent devices to damage property thereby retaining public
sympathy.
Secondly, bombing is another technique used by the urban terrorists. It involves very
little risk to the bomber so it is a very p~~ular'tactic.
It is in fact one of the most
bloodiest technique as it always involves mass casualties, thus inviting world-wide
public disgust against such cases. An increasing sophistication in electronics and the
continuing process of miniaturization provides the bombers with more precisely guided
vehicles. It has become easier to conceal the mechanisms and use it more precisely.
Things have reached such new heights that restraints on the use of weapons can be
social and psychological rather than technological, thus requiring public awareness
against terrorism.
Thirdly, sometimes the urban terrorists in an attempt to avoid the counter productive
indiscriminate casualties, resort to murder of individual targets by shooting. Some
developments which are most likely to affect this technique are the use of laser sights
(which enable the terrorists to conceal their gun and hit their targets at short ranges), the
use of silencers, facilities for longer rangers, and the recent use of expansive and
sophisticated surface-to-surface and surface-to air missiles.
Fourthly, intimidation and racketeering are other various forms of terror. The former
technique is used to intimidate companies or force them into submission by extorting
large sums of money as revolutionary taxes or forces business bodies to pay large
ransoms. It is a means to finance further terrorism and much of it goes unreported. The
latter technique is also to terrorise people who are innocent and force them to
submission.
Fifthly, another technique used by terrorists in the urban areas is that of kidnaping
individuals. As one of the most ancient and most international of coercive techniques, it
is used to extort money to fund criminal activity to achieve political
concessions including release of fellow terrorists and changes in governments policies or
government itself.
Sixthly, hostage seizures is another way used by the urban terrorists to spread terror. As
different from kidnapping, under this technique hostage are kept in a known location.
Domestic hostage seizures are meant to apply pressure on family acquicantances or
colleagues. Political hostage seizures are done to attract publicity. Sometimes hostage
tokens are provided safe-custody to a chosen location and at times are given a ransom
so that the lives of the hostages are spared.
Seventhly, hijacking an aircraft, train or ship is another form of spreading terror. The
premises seized in this case happen to be mobile but they are generally known where
they are -Urban situations provide the environment for such occurrence because the
aircraft, ship or train are all symbols of urban life. The primary aim of most hijacks is
to gain publicity for a political cause.

22.3.3 Modes of Combating Urban Terrorism

There are various methods by the use of which urban terrorism can be countered. Some
of them are epmerated as under:
Firstly, individuals who are threatened must be provided with secure environment so that
they can put their best at work. An intruder would use every possible trick to deceive
Issues in Development the security guards. Entrances for staff visitors and vehicles should be thoroughly
checked. Training and alertness of the security staff must be improved. Bullet proofing
of office buildings should be provided if necessary.
Secondly, techniques for detecting explosives must be improved. Detection technology
should be applied for electrical firing devices. The normal senses (sight, smell, hearing
and touch) of the human searchers should also be developed. Many hurdles should be
placed so that reliable research is guaranteed.
Thirdly, if armed response to possible terrorist attack is required the potential victims of
terrorists must be guarded by trained bodyguards. The trained bodyguards can make
their most contribution by giving the victims such advice which will prevent them from
getting into a dangerous situation. As developments in personal weapons are likely to
help the terrorist the only option would be to train the security forces individually so
that they can respond quickly and fire accurately. As terrorists would have practised less
often with live ammunition than soldiers or armed police m;~, ihe danger of surprise
attack could be minimised to some extent and sometimes overcomed.
Fourthly, as individual victims of terrorists face the most risk when they are traveling
especially by car the question of 'travel security' assumes significance. A kidnap or
assassination requires more organisation because the kidnapers should know in detail
about the tmveling plans of their targets. As such strict discretion should be maintained
over the movement of potential targets and such plans should be varied often so that the
kidnapers look for other targets. Similar discretion should be used over air or sea travel.
During air travel targets should be as inconspicuous as possible particularly during
check-in and boarding.
Fifthly, personnel in specialist riot and anti terrorist squads should be regularly brought
back to their normal police duties or else these squads would assume a character of their
own which would deprive them of public sympathy as they would loose touch with
them. The anti-terrorist squads should be able to handle both .criminal and political
terrorists interventions. A criminal case should be resolved with the greatest of restraint
and the minimum use of force. Rescue operation further requires skilled judgement and
timing. Accuracy is also important.
Sixthly, protection of the population from a terrorist attack depends on good intelligence.
There should be coordination between intelligence organisations of each countries.
Secrecy should be strictly adhered to by an intelligence service. Intelligence and
personal surveillance should be regarded as supplements to human intelligence and not
as substitutes for it. Tight safeguards are also a must for aids to police detection,
such as tapping and toping of telephone. calls and bugging and also of eleceonic
monitoring.
Seventhly, prevention of terrorism also demands steps to prevent impersonation and an
increase in the accuracy of the process of identification. Visitors coming from other
countries should be carefully checked so that they do not prove to be impostors.
Fingerprint scanning system should be made effective as a weapon in combating
terrorism, drug trafficking and other international crimes, so that the legal systems are
not abused.
Lastly,, conviction not only deters terrorism and crime but also prevents it. But the most
essential part of it is the collection of valid evidence and witness. Successful
interrogation demands an interplay of proven facts with answers and statements provided
by the suspect during the course of interrogation. However, trial by jury can be the best
guardian of freedom and justice.

22.4 RURAL TERRORISM

Rural terrorist movements can also be called rural guerrilla movements. This is because
rural terrorists operate from the forest or the jungles and have a rural background
mainly. These organise popular support in the rural areas and terrorise anyone who do
not support or cooperate with them. They develop their organisation in impoverished
towns and involves in uprisings when the appropriate time comes.
 22.4.1 Growth of Rural Terrorism International Terrorism

Rural terrorism is not a new phenomenon. Rural populations are very valuable to
terrorist attacks because protection of rural populations is difficult and expansive. Village
officials and police officers live under threat so they follow a policy of live-and-let-live
with the terrorists. The prime targets of rural terrorism are rural affluence areas (for
i
example the drug producing areas of Peru, Colombia, etc.), people in villages at work in
the fields or on the roads or in any isolated areas, water supplies of the rural areas (as
they are vulnerable to contamination), and the infrastructure which is again subjected to
sabotage. Hand-held guided missiles and machine guns which are heavy is particularly
used by the rural terrorists. Vulnerable premises in rural terrorism range from isolated
army or police posts to large installations, oil refineries, air fields and villages which are
defended. Because of long delay before help can come, isolated guards who protect
installations are the most vulnerable for attacks. As such village security men must be
L
equipped with surveillance and alarm systems if such attacks are to be stopped.
The most favourite technique of the rural terrorists used since the 1940's is the road
mines detonated by the pressure of the wheel of a passing vehicle, because rural roads
are mainly made of dirt, or oil-bound sand. Road bombs and impoverished explosives
are other such weapons. Inspite of such weapons at their disposal the rural terrorists find
it difficult to dominate the rural areas which require regular with the villages which
again makes the task difficult because visitors in rural areas do not remain unnoticed, a
fact which can be made use of by intelligence agencies.
In ordinary circumstances the army or the police better armed and with better
opportunities for training have the advantage over the rural guerrilla units. But adverse
is the case when the rural terrorists take the initiative either in an ambush or in a
surprise attack. The problem however is to predict the movements of the terrorists which
requires god intelligence and the best source of it is human sources. Security forces in
the rural areas must build up the confidence of the rural people in their own security
and convince them of the final defeat of the terrorists so that they cooperate in
providing information. If such confidence is build up that their standard of life will
steadily improve if stable government is maintained, the villages and other rural folk
will be less likely to be aroused by political activists to use or support violence.

22.4.2 Rural Terrorist Activities in Asia and Africa

The rural terrorists in Asia and Africa follow the Maoist revolution and strategy of
deploying cadres to organise popular support in the remote areas and thereafter
terrorizing anyone who do not cooperate with them. It most cases these terrorists have
close linkages with big criminal gangs usually financed by drug trafficking. One
important aspect of the rural terrorist heritage is that refugees from internal conflict or
oppression are often frained in the neighbouring countries to go back and serve as
terrorists. The Indians did this to train a guerrilla force to assist their invasion of
Bangladesh in 1971. Some notable instances of countries where rural terrorism has been
widespread are in Asia and Africa.
During the latter part of 1970's Cambodia was subjected to the most vicious regime of
government terrorism ever recorded. A Chinese oriented Communist Party forcibly
established its rule in 1975 and let loose a reign of terror. A million people were killed
and all manifestation of urban civilization were gutted. In 1978 the Vietnamese invaded
Cambodia and subjected the people with a threat of insurgency. Cambodia suffered
thirteen years of civil war till the year 1991. Similarly in Philippines two main guerrilla
groups have been operated since 1970s the Maoist New People's Army (NPA) and the
Muslim secessionist group (MNLF) and are fighting for an independent Islamic state in
the Southern islands of the country. MNLF have thousands of armed guerrillas and is
supported by Iran, Libya and sometimes by sympathetic Muslims in the neighbouring
territory of east Malaysia facing strong resistance from the Christian majority in the
areas of their operation their strength has declined. The NPA continues to spread terror
by assassinating local officials, police officers and soldiers. They are financed nearly by
extortions from big businesses and their cadres are in rural areas, are organised, and
exercise discipline by terror in the villages. Over the years NPA has fragmented but
many of its members continue to operate as armed criminal gangs.
Issues in Development Sri Lanka has also been plagued by insurgencies since 1983. Commercial massacres in
the North were initiated by the Tamil Tigers ( L m ) and insurgency in the south was
begun by a radical Sinhalese nationalist movement, the people's Liberation Front (JVP).
By 1989 the government forces captured or killed the entire JVP leadership by mounting
a ruthless offensive though the Tigers have lost their initial strength because of heavy
casualties in the course of encounters with the government forces, their fanatical
members continue to thrive, as such terrorism in Sri Lanka continues. Terrorism in India
is seen in the context of communal violence including that between Hindus and
Muslims, separatist violence by Gurkhas, Nagas and others. Sikh violences and terrorism
is mainly concentrated in the urban areas but it extends to massacres of Hindus in the
villages and buses. That terrorism has flourished during communal frenzies is borne by
the explosion of violence in Uttar Pradesh in 1992 December. In Bombay Hindus looted
Muslim shops and the horrible process of ethnic cleansing went on in hundred.
Afghanistan, Central Asia and Kurdistan have also been experiencing the scourge of
rural terrorism. Terrorism in these areas is dependent on their rocky mountainous terrain
and their tribal structure. Tribesmen engage themselves in terrorist activities as they
want to free themselves from the regular armies of governments. As such the war
remain focused on the control of rural roads from which the regular armies pass.
However, a more serious threat in this region comes from the ambitions of the big
neighbowing powers who in order to extend their influence support terrorist group in
these areas. The process of ethnic cleansing in these areas also continues.
Sudan, Somalia and Southern Africa also has been experiencing terrorist movements,
The Sudanese People's Liberation Army, a terrorist organisation dominates half of Sudan
particularly in the southern part of the country. Though formed in 1983, it split into two
factions, one seeking independence for southern Sudan and the other seeking a federal
Sudanese government. Continuing terrorist warfare is suppressed by the army and police.
Somalia has also been experiencing chms since 1991. After twenty one years of
dictatorial Communist rule, a coup was organised by General Mohamed Aideed on
behalf of the United Somali Congress (USC). This was followed by an immediate split
between Aideed and Ali Mahdi whom the USC had appointed Resident of Somalia.
These two groups had their own private armies which consisted gangs of young men, in
vehicles mounted with machine-guns and rocket launchers who looted food supplies in
the countryside. Though intervention by US troops and UN troops have made attempts
to solve the problem but the warlords continue to fight and they have expressed .
contempt for the peace maker. Angola and Mozambique achieved independence from
Portugal in 1975 but their new governments were opposed by terrorist movements -
UNITA and RENAMO who controlled substantial amounts of temtory and engaged in
intimidating the villagers or tribesmen. Irrespective of attempts made by the ANC to
improve the situation in South Africa violence and terrorism continues to hold their way
thereby hampering political progress.

22.4.3 Rural Terrorist Activities in Latin America

The ongoing violence and terrorism in the Latin American countries like Colombia and
Peru is because of the drug cartels who finance terrorist activities. Sendero Luminoso's
(SL) rural guemlla organisation and techniques in Peru operate in the shanty towns and
has basis in the rural areas where coca is grown. It is a violent body and engages in
terroridng the people with public mutilations and executions. Colombia, one of the most
politically stable democratic systems in Latin America has been constantly plagued by
violence, financed by the international drug trade. The two main terrorist organisations
of Colombia are Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia and the National Liberation
Army.
The f@rmeris a nation wide rural group and has an open political front. The latter
mainly operates in the oil-producing areas in North-East Colombia and its aim is mainly
to drive out the foreign oil companies. Even today drug money continue to flow into the
countty and there is no sign of the violence subsiding. E l Sa;lvador has also suffered
from immense casualties because of terrorists who have resorted to the business of
kidnaping for extorting money and from time to time terrorist bodies have tried to bring
down governments as well. Violent conflict for years have weakened the economy but
no respite seems to be in sight for the people of E l Salvador because the ex-terrorists
and members of terrurist bodies always resort to the use of gun to resolve any dispute.
It is significant to note that the financiers of terrorism in Colombia and Peru particularly
are the drug addicts of the US and other European countries. As such these countries
should make serious attempts to prevent their own drug addicts from buying it so that
farmers are discouraged to grow coca in the Latin American countries and thus save
itself from the menace of terrorism.

Check Your Progress 2

Note: i) Use the space below for your answers.
ii) Check your answers with the model answers given at the end of the unit.
1) Name some urban terrorist bodies and related some of their techniques.

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k . ..............................................

2) What is rural terrorism?

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3) Name some countries in Latin America where terrorists are still active.

22.5 FIGHTING GLOBAL TERRORISM

*

Terrorism seeks to disrupt the smooth functioning of democratic societies by

dqmonstrating that governments are not in a position to provide basic security measures.
It is a normal human urge to oppose terrorism but' on some occasions nothing productive
can be done. A government should take various steps to ensure the safety of its people
and property within its jurisdiction. What can be done is that as a first step a police
force of the highest quality should be created to counter terrorist activities or to combat
bombings, kidnappings hijacking, etc. Terrorists generally operate in a discreet manner
and they use covers to protect themselves from being detected. As such another
requirement for fighting terrorism is to bring about improvements in the technique of
intelligence, collections, infiltration and surveillance and the like. Through a concerted
programme of public information and education, public assistance against terrorism
should be sought for. People should be made more security conscious.
Freeing a hostage is a risky job. As such the main goal of the police should be to
arrange the release of a hostage unharmed and to apprehend the offender. If
apprehending the offender seems more important an attack may be launched. If release
of the hostage seems very important and if demands cannot be met, the police should
attempt to kill the offender. Thus hostage seizure is a complicated process. Different
tactics may be followed for different incidents as each situation is an unique one.

22.5.1 Preventing the Process of People Killing Each Other

With every passing generation new forms of terrorism are being thrown up. To meet the
challenge a more positive attitude towards peace making process should be developed so
that people at large can be protected from terrorism. Technological development
especially in the detection of explosives, access control surveillance and intelligence
should be relied upon as a means of preventing the terrorist from abusing people's civil
liberties and at extreme cases taking their lives as well. The world cannot hope to do
Issues in Development away with its armed forces because there will always be men with unwarranted
ambitions to grab territory or resources. As such present day armed forces should be
particularly designed to adopt to a peace keeping role or peacemaking role. The latter
involves more casualties. Wherever possible every country should make its forces
available for its neighbours on a regional basis because it would gain the most by
preventing the conflict from taking a dangerous turn. But in cases where solutions on a
regional basis is not possible it becomes the duty of the world to contain such conflicts
and provide humanitarian aid. This calls for a unity of the permanent members of the
UN Security Council as was the case during the gulf crisis of 1990. In case of terrorism
in any part of the globe these countries should pull their full weight together and
provide armed forces. Mass casualties can be prevented if governments make adequate
contributions to fund the UN peacekeeping forces. Peacekeeping is an activity which has
come to stay, as such countries must be induced to submit themselves to high
subscriptions with a substantial reserve so that the UN can always play an active and
positive role in times of crisis.

22.5.2 Laws to Prevent Terrorist Practices

Growing number of terrorist violence has over the years engaged the attention of the
entire global community. The US has taken a lead to promote international efforts to
tackle with their menace. Nations around the world has been taking serious steps to
protect diplomats and embassies. This has lessened the incidence of embassies seizures.
Similarly since 1910 the world has been seriously considering to promote air safety
measures when a convention relating to the regulation of Aerial Navigation had taken
place. But the most formidable obstacle hindering the prosecution of hijackers thereby
putting at stake the international attempts to soil illegal aircraft seizure attempts, is the
asylum phenomenon. As the term 'political offence' remains unclarified, nations always
find justification for granting asylum to political refugees or political groups. Giving
shelter to the fugitives under the guise of political crimes poses a serious threat to
international aviation because unlawful aricraft seizures involves many serious crimes.
Considering the seriousness of such cases European countries have taken steps to curb
terrorism. Their efforts though primarily aimed at unlawful interference with civil
aviation also covers offences involving the use of bombs, grenades, rockets, etc. An
informal international agreement on hijacking between these countries (17 July 1978)
have not only taken a decision to extradite or prosecute hijackers but also to boycott the
airports and airlines of those countries which failed to do so. Moreover regular meetings
are being held to improve cooperation between each others intelligence and police.
These agreements did not have a positive effect because most governments continue to
be guided by their national self interest. The United Nations has also not been doing
enough because countries like those of the Arab, African and Latin American ones
openly sponsor and support terrorism. Infact they regard terrorism as a legitimate
weapon to promote their political and economic goals.
One of the main aim of the terrorists is to make the legal system unoperative by
intimidating witnesses and juries, thereby creating credible grounds for accusing the
government of repression and torture. This calls for incentives to be given to informers
for providing evidence and extending protection to them when required. If desired and if
feasible adequate funds should also be made available to the informers to enable them to
start a few life at a new place. It is but true that the costs involved in granting rewards
and protection is negligible when compared to the cost of damage inflicted by the
terrorists. Still other forms of intimidation like demands for protection, money and
racketeering should also be tackled firmly.
The legal process should also be strengthened for exercising stxict control on the
possession and movements of explosives, armies and ammunition. Civilized nations
should arrive at an agreement to tag all explosives with a colour code system which
would detect their source and enable their progress to be recorded. Laws which not only
help to track the criminal suspects and supporters but also detect houses which provide
shelter to them should also be initiated to curb terrorism. The extent of duration of .
detention for questioning should be made relaxable in case a concerted attempt is made
by the terrorists to circumvent the existing procedures and increase the degree of crime.
Significantly enough all laws which seek to combat terrorism should also cover the
lawyers as that they are not in position to abuse their rights and disrupt legal '
proceedings thereby supporting terrorist acts.
One of the biggest sponsors of terrorism and criminal violence in the world is the profit International Terrorism
ensuing from narcotics trade. Drug trafficking not only generates illegal money but also
encourages fraud, extortion and counterfeiting. Thus, narcotics consumption should not
only be tackled but the laundering of money from all these sources should also be
tackled. To make this possible, banks should be legally obliged and willing to make
customer's accounts available to the police and judiciary so that illegal money can be
easily detected and seized. Governments particularly in western countries should pass
legislations to prevent their banks from undertaking transactions with foreign banks
which do not have proper records. Prevention of terrorism also requires improved
technological research in some urgent areas like detection of explosives, developing anti
impersonation systems and equipments in aid of intelligence.
Over the years the nature of weapons have not changed much. The hand held missilies
which were recently made available to terrorists was developed in 1984. However, one
positive feature is that advancement in security technology have been far greater
especially in explosive detection techniques. Nevertheless the terrorists groups are always
on the look out of possessing all kinds of weapons and explosives. But what is creating
a dangerous situation is the fact that with the entry of criminals in the sphere of
terrorism, the very nature of terrorism has changed from a politically motivated one to a
criminally motivated terrorism. What is also important to note is that it is only a small
number of people who resort to terrorist techniques to force a democratic government to
accept their views. Dissent should always be encouraged if it is constructive in nature
but no matter how severe it may be prove to be it can never justify killing bombing or
wounding. Crime arrogantly deprives a civil society of its liberty. Over the ages and
throughout history every civilised majority has accepted a rule of law which places
restrictions on the freedom to assault or harm others. Every society irrespective of its
political, inclinations deserved the right to protection from terrorism. Every democratic
government should uphold the rule of law and strike a proper balance between the
presentation of the civil libqties of the public inclusive of the minorities and the
essential measures required to protect the lives of the people from terrorists attacks.
Under to circumstances the claim of a militant minority to kidnap and kill should
ovemde the ultimate right of a majority to live in peace and enjoy all civil liberties.
Prevention of terrorism ultimately depends on the nature of government policy and on
the efficiency of its law-enforcing agencies which are required to operate in non political
contexts.

Check Your Progress 3

Note: i) Use the space given below for your answers.
ii) Check your answers with the model answers given at the end of the unit.
1) , Suggest one measure as to how terr~rismcan be checked.

2) How can civilians be encouraged to provide evidence against the terrorists.

Issues in Development
22.6 LET US SUM UP
In this unit we have defined the term 'terrorism" a strategy of violence, used by
people who do not understand reason, against the government or the state to achieve
their objectives. When international linkages development between terrorist groups of
various countries, international terrorism emerges. Terrorism, be it at the national or
-
international level are of such types (a) Discriminate and indiscriminate Terrorism,
(b) Right wing and left wing Terrorism (c) Nationalists and Separatists. Having dealt
with these, the diverse patterns of global terrorism has been taken into account.
'Contemporary global terrorism emerged in the Middle East and gradually spread its
wings in such countries as the U.S. and western Europe. T,echnological upgradation of
the weapons used by te-rrorists have increased their mobility and lethality. Terrorism has
assumed different forms in different countries and the response of the government have
also been different. Having done this, international terrorism has been studied from an
urban and rural point of view. An assessment of these two facets of terrorism the
modes of combating them follow as obvious sequence. Finally suggestions have put
forth as to how terrorism on a global scale can be checked. With new forms of
terrorism emerging with every .passing generation steps should be taken to prevent
mass casualties and developing positive contact between civilians and state authorities.
Peacekeeping is a role in which the United Nations can play a detenninant role.
Countries of the world should join hands to make this body an economically viable one
so that it can play positive role in times of crisis. Besides this, leading nations of the
world particularly the U.S. should make effective laws and regulations to check the
menace of terrorism because ultimately they are the ones to be effected. The legal
process should strengthened at the global level and control resources should be
implemented stringently.
- - - -

2 2 . 7 KEY WORDS
Intimidate: To frighten one into submission. Terrorists use intimidation as a technique
to threat the government or the civilians and make them submit before their unlawful
demands.
Surveillance: It means a close watch. It is also used as an alternative to supervision.
Guerrilla: It is a member of an irregular armed force which engages itself in fighting
an established force, in other words the government.
Lethal: Deadly or dangerous. It is generally'associated with weapon whose use is
destructive in character, particularly the nuclear weapons.

22.8 . SOME USEFUL BOOKS

Clutterbuck, Richard, 'Terrorism in an Unstable World' (Routledge, London and
New York, 1994).
Ghosh, S.K., 'Terrorism : WorM Under Seize' (Ashish Publishing House, New Delhi,
1995).
Quarles, C.L., 'Terrorism - Avoidance Md Survival' (Butter Worth-Heinemann, US,
1991).
Rao, N.P., 'Terrorism - Violence and Human Destruction -
Causes Effects and
Control Measures' (Anmol Publishers, New Delhi, 1992).
Wardlac, G., 'Political Terrorism' (Combridge University Press, 1982).
 -

Internalional Terrorism
22.9 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
EXERCISES
Check Your Progress 1
1) International terrorism involves international linkages between terrorist
organisations and'groups. These groups extends support to each other and avail
benefits from each others country. They have no regard for the national
boundaries and'intend to publicise their demands globally.
2) The different forces of terrorism are:
i) Discriminate and Indiscriminate terrorism
ii) Right Wing terrorism and Left Wing terrorism
iii) Nationalists and Separatists.

Check Your Progress 2

1) Some urban terrorist bodies are Irgun Zvai Leumi of Palestine, the fundamentalist
groups of Iran, Sadam Hussain and his supporters, etc.
Some of the techniques used by the urban terrorist bodies are the use of bombs,
violent devices to damage property, murder to individual targets by shooting.
kidnapping, etc.
2) Rural terrorism involves activities of these terrorists who operates from the jungles
. or forests and have a rural background mainly.
3) Some countries in Latin America where terrorists are still active are Colombia,
Peru, E l Salvador, etc.

Check Your Progress 3

1) One important measure which can be taken to check terrorism is to improve the
techniques used by intelligence agencies.
2) Civilians can be encouraged to provide evidence against terrorism by extending
protection to them and by granting adequate rewards.