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From: sdu@homxb.UUCP (S.USISKIN)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.misc
Subject: Re: Frenchmen getting bombed, why them?
Message-ID: <2001@homxb.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 3-Oct-86 10:19:06 EDT
Article-I.D.: homxb.2001
Posted: Fri Oct  3 10:19:06 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 11-Oct-86 08:44:09 EDT
References: <7206@sri-spam.ARPA> <1063@ucbcad.BERKELEY.EDU>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 30

>>>Terrorism cannot be wiped out by acts of
>>>violent revenge. It requires political solutions.
>>
>>False. As long as the terrorists perceive an advantage in terrorist
>>activity they are likely to pursue terrorism. What is needed is to
>>create sufficient negative incentives so that the terrorists believe
>>that terrorism is not to their advantage. This includes security
>>and reprisal measures, as well as propaganda.

>What?  Terrorist attacks are generally the desperate acts of desperate
>people.  Violent reprisals are NOT going to prevent anyone from carrying
>out a suicide bomb attack.  Most terrorists consider themselves at war.
>They are fewer in number, and better protected, than civilian populations.
>They can always strike back against any reprisals.

Actually, no terrorist acts alone.  Of course reprisals are not going
to stop the one desperate terrorist from wreaking havoc, maybe with
a gun... but he has to have lots of help if he is planning to get
12 tons of dynamite.  The reprisals are meant to stop the background
support, making it uncomfortable for anyone to aide a terrorist.
For example, when the Isrealis catch a terrorist, they
bulldoze his family's home.  People then fear for their family,
even if they don't fear for themselves.  
Not that I think reprisals really do any good, but thats the theory
behind it.  Actually, I think reprisals, even if they work, are on
morally shaky ground.  Its like sinking down to their level.

Suzanne U.

The usual disclaimer.