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Combating the Terrorists: Democratic Responses to Political Violence

NCJ Number
112504
Editor(s)
H H Tucker
Date Published
1988
Length
221 pages
Annotation
Six papers examine the political impact of and responses to contemporary terrorism in the United States, West Germany, Spain, Northern Ireland, and Italy, and the European community.
Abstract
The components of the underground terrorist apparatus in the United States are described, including the Weather Underground, violent black nationalist groups, FALN, and other Puerto Rican terrorist groups. The activities of these groups are examined, as are their contacts with foreign terrorist groups. Counter-terrorist activities undertaken by the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism and other cooperative efforts are discussed, and proposals for the establishment of a Euro- or international court and a Euro-terrorist jail are reviewed. An examination of terrorism in Northern Ireland describes the current situation, terrorist groups and their ideologies and activities, and the British Government's response. The extent of terrorist activity in Italy is discussed with respect to nationalist, left-wing, right-wing, and international terrorist groups. State responses are described, and the role of the media in the history of Italian terrorism is analyzed. An examination of terrorism in Spain focuses on Basque separatism. The Government responses in the areas of permitting some Basque autonomy, security measures, and cooperation with France are described. Finally, the need for an international response to terrorism and attempts at international cooperation are discussed with focus on the establishment of multinational tactical response units and an allied counter-terrorist force. The issue of nuclear terrorism also is addressed. Chapter footnotes and index.