ACTS OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY WIDESPREAD AND DIVERSIFIED AND AFFECT THE SAFETY OF AMERICAN TRAVELERS, BUSINESS PERSONS, AND DIPLOMATS ABROAD, AS WELL AS IMPINGING UPON U.S. INTERNAL SECURITY. TWO TERRORIST GROUPS CURRENTLY CAUSING INTERNATIONAL CONCERN ARE THE ARGENTINE PEOPLE'S REVOLUTIONARY ARMY AND THE POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF PALESTINE. KIDNAPPINGS OF FOREIGN BUSINESSPERSONS AND DIPLOMATS HAVE BECOME ENDEMIC IN LATIN AMERICAN AND ARE SPREADING INTO MEXICO. TWO BASIC APPROACHES TO THE PROBLEM ARE THE (1) UNILATERAL IMPROVEMENT OF INTERNAL SECURITY, AND (2) COLLECTIVE INTERNATIONAL ACTION TO PUNISH TERRORISTS AS A DETERRENT TO FUTURE VIOLENCE. THE U.S. HAS ENCOURAGED MULTILATERAL ACTION AGAINST TERRORISM, PARTICULARLY IN THE UNITED NATIONS AND IN ITS SPECIALIZED AGENCY, THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION (ICAO). THREE TREATIES DEALING WITH THE PROTECTION OF INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION NEGOTIATED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF ICAO ARE NOW IN FORCE: (1) THE 1963 TOKYO CONVENTION ON OFFENSES AND CERTAIN OTHER ACTS COMMITTED ON BOARD AIRCRAFT, (2) THE 1970 HAGUE CONVENTION FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF UNLAWFUL SEIZURE OF AIRCRAFT, AND (3) THE 1971 MONTREAL CONVENTION FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF UNLAWFUL ACTS AGAINST THE SAFETY OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT. OTHER INTERNATIONAL ANTITERRORIST AGREEMENTS AND DOMESTIC LEGISLATION ARE NOTED. A CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS CONCERNING TERRORIST ACTIVITIES COVERS THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 1969 THROUGH MID-MAY 1974. ADDITIONAL REFERENCE SOURCES ARE LISTED. (WJR)