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Legal
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Controlling Terrorism - Part IDefining TerrorismTo effectively control terrorism, there are at least three items that must be addressed. First, before we can control terrorism, it must be accurately defined. Second, terrorist activities must be deprived of undue media attention. Third, we must control the terrorists’ money supply. None of these three items are easy to accomplish but to have a safer world, we must find a way. First: Defining Terrorism
As can be easily inferred from the above definitions, terrorism is difficult to define because one government’s terrorism is another person’s fight for freedom. Notice that the FBI and DOD definitions use the words "unlawful use of force". Unlawful is not really an acceptable term because what is lawful in on nation may be unlawful in another. Both definitions are lacking simply because the lawful use of force can also be terrorism. The above definitions are four of hundreds to be found on the web and in books on terrorism. It is very clear there isn’t a universally acceptable definition. Usually the word terrorism is used to refer to any action not approved by an existing government or an action the current government doesn’t like. In other words, the definitions of terrorism are usually self-serving and based on who has the public’s attention or power at that moment. A universally acceptable definition of terrorism is the first step in controlling terrorism. How can this be accomplished; perhaps the UN is the best world body or perhaps the World Court, which is an arm of the UN. No matter how it is defined and by whom, the definition must be accepted as law by each nation and then enforced by all nations. The definition cannot be so simple as to include any organization using violence to replace an existing government or political power. Nor can it be so complex as to be unenforceable in a legal contest whether that be a national court or a world court. Governments must then be held accountable for harboring, supporting, or simply ignoring terrorist organizations within their boundaries. The penalties must be substantial and immediate and the world must act together to defeat any group or organization properly defined as terrorists and guilty of performing terrorist acts. Government-sponsored terrorism, regardless of the source, must be treated the same as any other terrorism whether the terrorism is directed against that government’s own people or directed toward any other nation, government, or peoples.
Controlling Terrorism: Part I Part II Part III Author: Don Miller
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