PEOPLE'S LIVES FREQUENTLY REFLECT THE SPIRIT OF THEIR TIMES MORE ACCURATELY THAN ANY STATISTICAL DATA. THE LIVES AND ACTIONS OF TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISTS INDICATE THE VULNERABILITY OF SOCIETY TO RANDOM VIOLENCE, AND TO GOVERNMENTAL OVERREACTION WHICH THREATENS THE CIVIL LIBERTIES THAT GOVERNMENTS' SHOULD PROTECT. THE RE-CREATION OF THE 1975 ATTACK ON THE MINISTERS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC) PROVIDES SOME UNDERSTANDING OF THE GOALS AND CHANGING METHODS OF TERRORISTS. A GENERAL GOAL OF SUCH CRIMINALS IS TO FORCE NATIONS TO ASSUME THE INTOLERABLE CHARACTER OF THE POLICE STATE. THE METHODS OF ACHIEVING THIS GOAL INCLUDE THE CREATION OF PANIC WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH FORCES THE LEADERSHIP TO DISPLAY MILITARY AND POLICE STRENGTH WHICH IS INCOMPATABLE WITH FREE DEMOCRACIES. THE REENACTMENT OF THE VIENNA RAID INDICATES THE TRANSNATIONAL CHARACTER OF THE TERRORISTS WHO ARE APPARENTLY AIDED BY SUCH DIVERSE ALLIES AS THE CUBAN SECRET SERVICE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF LIBYA. WEAPONS FOR THE VIENNA INCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN SMUGGLED IN LIBYAN DIPLOMATIC POUCHES. SECURITY FOR THE OPEC OFFICES WAS CLEARLY INADEQUATE, WITH ONLY TWO ARMED GUARDS INSIDE THE BUILDING. ALTHOUGH THE AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO THE INCIDENT BY DISPATCHING 500 COMMANDOS FROM AN ANTITERRORIST UNIT, THE TERRORISTS' USE OF HOSTAGES NECESSITATED A COMPROMISE SOLUTION, WITH THE TERRORISTS AND SEVERAL HOSTAGES BEING PERMITTED TO ESCAPE. THE SPONSORS OF 'CARLOS' AND HIS GANG ARE STILL UNKNOWN. (TWK)