NCJ Number
102239
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (1986) Pages: 315-326
Date Published
1986
Length
12 pages
Annotation
In combating terrorism, the Reagan administration is committed to diplomatic efforts, the upgrading of physical security and training, increased cooperation among nations, and the discriminating use of force when other measures have been exhausted.
Abstract
President Reagan's policy for dealing with terrorism is based in the principle that it is a threat to national security that must be resisted by all legal means. Terrorists and the states supporting them must be held accountable. Evidence that a terrorist attack is about to be mounted against an American target warrants defensive action. The United States must work with friends and allies to improve the collection and assessment of information and to develop means of addressing the terrorist threat. Every diplomatic and political means will be used to persuade those now practicing or supporting terrorism to desist. The United States will support and help to find nonviolent means of dealing with legitimate grievances among people and nations. The United States is prepared to combat terrorism with the skilled and discriminating use of force so as to deter and debilitate the use of terrorism. The selective use of force can help to limit the number of times and places where force may be necessary. Obvious targets for such force are military sites used to support terrorism.