Return to: Index of "Arms Control, Counter-terrorism and Military Affairs || Electronic Research Collections Index || ERC Homepage
DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLICATION 10136
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
OFFICE OF THE COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM
RELEASED APRIL 1994
Patterns of Global Terrorism: 1993
Introduction
Global issues are a central focus of the Clinton administration, and
international terrorism is one of the deadliest and most persistent.
Terrorism made the headlines throughout 1993:
-- The World Trade Center bombing in February.
-- The foiled Iraqi plat to assassinate former President Bush in
Kuwait in April.
-- Numerous coordinated attacks by the Kurdistan Workers Party
throughout Western Europe on two separate dates in June and
November.
It is clear that terrorism is an issue that will remain with us for
quite some time.
The focus of the US counterterrorism policy for more than a decade
has been simple and direct:
-- Make no concessions.
-- Apply the rule of law and improve the capabilities of friendly
governments to counter the threat they face.
-- Apply pressure on state sponsors.
The key to a successful, long-term counterterrorism policy is
international cooperation on these three basic elements. The United
States enforced this policy in many ways during the past year:
--When it became clear that the Government of Iraq was responsible
for the foiled plot to kill former President Bush, the United States
used military force to demonstrate to Saddam Husayn that such
behavior would not be tolerated.
-- The United States encouraged ongoing international support for
and adherence to UN sanctions against Libya, which are mandatory and
represent the first such steps imposed by the United Nations on a
state solely because of its support for terrorism.
-- The US Senate ratified the "Convention on the Marking of Plastic
Explosives for the Purpose of Detection." This important convention
is a positive legacy from the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103; it
deserves and is receiving widespread international support.
-- A recent success was the well-coordinated apprehension last July
of Egyptair hijacker Mohammed Ali Rezaq, who was released from
prison in Malta after serving a partial sentence for murdering an
American and an Israeli aboard the hijacked plane in 1985. He was
apprehended and brought to the United States, where he is awaiting
trial for air piracy. He would have gone free had it not been for
close cooperation among several countries, including Ghana and
Nigeria.
-- We offer specialized antiterrorism training to friendly foreign
countries that face terrorism at home. The courses teach skills in
such areas as airport security, maritime security, VIP protection,
management of a terrorist incident, and hostage negotiation. Since
the program began 10 years ago, we have trained more than 15,000
civilian law enforcement personnel from 81 countries.
This administration is committed to maintaining an effective
international counterterrorism policy. Maintaining our vigilance
and increasing or adjusting our capabilities to ensure the safety
of Americans and American interests throughout the world is a high
priority.
Legislative Requirements
This report is submitted in compliance with Title 22 of the United
States Code, Section 265f(a), which requires the Department of State
to provide Congress a full and complete annual report on terrorism
for those countries and groups meeting the criteria of Section
(a)(1) and (2) of the Act. As required by legislation, the report
includes detailed assessments of foreign countries where significant
terrorist acts occurred, and countries about which Congress was
notified during the preceding five years pursuant to Section 6(j) of
the Export Administration Act of 1979 (the so-called terrorism list
countries that have repeatedly provided state support for
international terrorism). In addition, the report includes all
relevant information about the previous year's activities of
individuals, terrorist groups, or umbrella groups under which such
terrorist groups fall, known to be responsible for the kidnapping
or death of any American citizen during the preceding five years,
and groups known to be financed by state sponsors of terrorism.
Definitions
No one definition of terrorism has gained universal acceptance.
For the purpose of this report, however, we have chosen the
definition of terrorism contained in Title 22 of the United States
Code, Section 265f(d). That statue contains the following
definitions:
-- The term "terrorism" means premeditated, politically motivated
violence perpetrated against noncombatant 1 targets by subnational
groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an
audience.
-- The term "international terrorism" means terrorism involving
citizens of the territory of more than one country.
-- The term "terrorist group" means any group practicing, or that
has significant subgroups that practice, international terrorism.
The US Government has employed this definition for statistical and
analytical purposes since 1983.
________
1 For purposes of this definition, the term "noncombatant" is
interpreted to include, in addition to civilians, military personnel
who at the time of the incident are unarmed and/or not on duty. For
example, in past reports we have listed as terrorist incidents the
murders of the following US military personnel: Col. James Rowe,
killed in Manila in April 1989; Capt. William Nordeen, US defense
attache killed in Athens in June 1988; the two servicemen killed in
the La Belle disco bombing in West Berlin in April 1986; and the
four off-duty US Embassy Marine guards killed in a cafe in El
Salvador in June 1985. We also consider as acts of terrorism
attacks on military installations or on armed military personnel
when a state of military hostilities does not exist at the site,
such as bombings against US bases in Europe or elsewhere.
In a number of countries, domestic terrorism, or an active
insurgency, has a greater impact on the level of political violence
than does international terrorism. Although not the primary purpose
of this report, we have attempted to indicate those areas where
this is the case.
Note
Adverse mention in this report of individual members of any
political, social, ethnic, religious, or national group is not meant
to imply that all members of that group are terrorists. Indeed,
terrorists represent a small minority of dedicated, often fanatical,
individuals in most such groups. It is that small group -- and
their actions -- that is the subject of this report.
Furthermore, terrorist acts are part of a larger phenomenon of
politically inspired violence, and at times the line between the two
can become difficult to draw. To relate terrorist event to the
larger context, and to give a feel for the conflicts that spawn
violence, this report will discuss terrorist acts as well as other
violent incidents that are not necessarily international terrorism.
Barbara K. Bodine, Acting
Coordinator for Counterterrorism
Patterns of Global Terrorism: 1993
The Year in Review
There were 427 international terrorist attacks in 1993, an increase
from the 364 incidents recorded in 1992. The main reason for the
increase was an accelerated terrorism campaign perpetrated by the
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) against Turkish interests. Most of the
group's 150 attacks took place on only two days, 24 June and 4
November, and were staged throughout Western Europe. Had it not been
for these two days of coordinated attacks, the level of terrorism
would have continued the downward trend of recent years.
Anti-US attacks fell to 88 last year from the 142 recorded in 1992.
Approximately 21 percent of the international terrorist attacks last
year were directed at US targets.2
_________
2 We have not included in our terrorism data base the 25 January
1993 shooting outside CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia, in
which two CIA employees were killed and three others wounded. Mir
Aimal Kansi, who is being sought in connection with the attack and
is still at large, is not known to be affiliated with a terrorist
group or to be an agent of a foreign government.
The one international terrorist "spectacular" was the 26 February
bombing of the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City. This
massive explosion left a 30 x 30- meter (100 X 100-foot) opening in
the underground parking garage, scattered debris throughout an
adjacent subway station, and filled all 110 floors of the north
tower with smoke. The effects of the blast and the ensuing fire and
smoke caused six deaths and 1,000 injuries.
The six dead, all Americans, were John DiGiovanni of Valley Stream,
New York; Robert Kirkpatrick of Suffern, New York; Steve Knapp of
New York City; Monica Smith of Seaford, New York; William Macko of
Bayonne, New Jersey; and Wilfredo Mercado of Brooklyn, New York.
The WTC bombing is considered an act of international terrorism
because of the political motivations that spurred the attack and
because most of the suspects who have been arrested are foreign
nationals. However, the FBI has not found evidence that a foreign
government was responsible for the bombing.
Some of the suspects arrested in the case are closely linked to
others arrested in July in a thwarted plot to blow up selected
targets in New York City, including the United Nations building and
the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels. Umar Abd al-Rahman, the Muslim
cleric from Egypt who resided in New Jersey, and several of his
followers were indicted in connection with this plot and were
charged with conspiracy. The case went to trial in September 1993,
and four suspects were convicted in March 1994.
The WTC bombing was the only terrorist attack in 1993 that produced
American fatalities. Two Americans, Jill Papineau and Raymond
Matthew Chico, were wounded when a bomb exploded in a cafe in Cairo,
Egypt, on the same day as the WTC bombing. Three people were killed,
and 16 others were wounded in the cafe bombing.
Western Europe had more international terrorist incidents in 1993--
180 attacks--than any other region, primarily because of the two
waves of PKK violence. The Middle East had the next highest number--
101--followed by Latin America with 97.
Iran remains the world's most active and most dangerous state
sponsor of terrorism, through its own state agents and the radical
groups it supports. Iraq also continues to sponsor terrorism. Iraq
planned to assassinate former President George Bush during his visit
to Kuwait in April, and its agents were responsible for numerous
attacks on international humanitarian and relief Personnel in Iraq.
Last year 109 people were killed in terrorist attacks, and 1,393
were wounded, the highest casualty total in five years.
African Overview
Civil wars and ethnic conflict continue to ravage Sub-Saharan Africa
(Somalia, Sudan, Angola, and Liberia), and the threat of
international terrorism against US and other Western interests in
the region continues.
In August, the United States placed Sudan on the list of state
sponsors of terrorism. This decision was made on the basis of
convincing evidence from multiple sources that Sudan provides
assistance to international terrorist groups.
Iran continues its active involvement in limited areas of Africa,
particularly in Sudan and where expatriate Shia populations reside.
Iranian-sponsored Hizballah continues to attempt to develop its
presence in Sudan, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Benin, and
Nigeria. As Iran is the world's most active state sponsor of
terrorism, this trend is disturbing and bears close monitoring.
Libya's support for subversion has long been a problem throughout
the continent and remains so.
Some African countries have been the venue for terrorist activity in
the past. Although there have been no dramatic terrorist attacks in
the region since the 1989 bombing of UTA Flight 772, the threat
remains.
Angola
Three terrorist incidents occurred in Angola in 1993. In February,
insurgents of the Renovada faction of the Front for the Liberation
of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) kidnapped an officer of the United
Nations Angola Verification Mission and released him unharmed three
weeks later. During the same month, one person was injured when a
bomb detonated next to the UN office in Luanda; no group claimed
responsibility. In May, militants of the FLEC and--according to the
government--the National Union for the Total Liberation of Angola
(UNITA) jointly attacked the Cabinda Gulf Oil Company, owned by
Chevron International of America, and took a number of Portuguese
workers hostage. FLEC, which is seeking independence for the Enclave
of Cabinda, has previously targeted Western oil companies with
commercial ties to the Angolan Government.
Ghana
Ghanaian authorities in February detained Omar Mohammed Ali Rezaq, a
Palestinian who participated in the 1985 hijacking of an Egyptair
flight in which 60 passengers died in Malta, including one American
and one Ghanaian. In July, US authorities took custody of Rezaq in
Nigeria after the Government of Ghana deported him. He was then
transported to the United States to stand trial on charges of
aircraft piracy and aiding and abetting the 1985 hijacking.
The Government of Ghana prosecuted four persons for bombings that
occurred in Ghana after the 1992 election.
Nigeria
On 25 October, four members of the Nigerian Movement for the
Advancement of Democracy (MAD) hijacked a Nigerian Airways plane and
diverted it to Niamey, Niger. The Nigerian Government refused to
refuel the aircraft, and police forces stormed the plane, freed the
hostages, and captured the hijackers. During the rescue operation,
one crew member was killed. The four hijackers, who intended to
force the plane to Frankfurt, had demanded the resignation of
Nigeria's Interim National Government, the prosecution of former
President Ibrahim Babangida on corruption charges, and the opening
of proscribed newspapers.
On 15 July, the Government of Nigeria cooperated in the FBI's
apprehension of terrorist hijacker Mohammed Ali Rezaq in Lagos.
Rezaq was returned to the United States to stand trial on charges of
air piracy for the 1985 hijacking of an Egyptair flight in which 60
people died in Malta.
Asian Overview
South Asia posed serious terrorism concerns in 1993. Continuing
ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka resulted in several large battles
between the Army and Tamil rebels. The country also suffered the
loss by assassination of President Premadasa, who was killed on 1
May, and opposition party leader Lalith Athulathmudali, who was
killed one week earlier. In India, tensions subsided in Punjab but
increased dramatically in Kashmir, where separatist militants
continued attacks on military and civilian targets. In Pakistan, 16
persons died in bomb blasts in Hyderabad and Latifbad on 24 January.
Pakistan and India have exchanged charges that the other side is
aiding perpetrators of violent acts. In the border region with
Afghanistan, there were assaults on members of UN and
nongovernmental organizations. In Afghanistan, none of the warring
factions in the titular government has gained control over the
territory. An increasing number of reports state that militant
groups, many of them "Arab mujahedin" asked by the Pakistani
Government to leave Pakistan, are acquiring training and safehaven
in Afghanistan.
In East Asia, violence continues in the Philippines, and some
Americans were kidnapped, but there were no terrorist attacks by the
Communist New Peoples Army against US interests in 1993. In Japan,
the Chukaku-ha (Middle Core Faction) reduced its level of attacks,
and the Japanese Red Army remained dormant.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan is still suffering from internecine battles among the
former mujahedin factions. The rampant violence occasionally spills
over into attacks on foreigners, particularly in the eastern
provinces that border Pakistan. On 23 January, for example,
militants attempted to ambush a UN vehicle near Jalalabad, and on 1
February four UN officials were killed when two UN vehicles were
ambushed near Jalalabad. Similar violence occurs occasionally on the
border of Pakistan where there are large concentrations of Afghan
refugees.
Afghanistan's eastern and northern provinces are sites for
mujahedin camps in which Muslim militants from around the world
receive paramilitary training. Members of Egyptian, Algerian, and
Kashmiri militant organizations have been trained in these camps,
as have members of many other Middle Eastern and Asian groups.
Beginning in early 1993, Pakistan started to expel Arab militants
affiliated with various mujahedin groups and nongovernment aid
organizations who were residing in its North-West Frontier
Province. Many of these Arabs apparently have crossed into
Afghanistan, and Islamabad is still working to control the Arab
militants who remain in Pakistan.
India
India continues to suffer from ethnic, religious, and separatist
violence. Terrorism and attacks on police and military targets have
been conducted by Kashmiri militants and Sikh extremists, as well
as several separatist organizations in northeast India. The level
of violence was particularly high in Kashmir, where the militants'
fight against Army and paramilitary forces has been ongoing since
late 1989. In Punjab, however, Sikh groups have been decimated by
Indian counterinsurgency efforts since mid-1992, and the level of
violence has receded significantly. Indian forces have been
particularly effective against the Sikh militant leadership, and
all major Sikh groups have lost leaders during the past 18 months.
The Punjab is not completely quiet. In January, the government
foiled a Sikh plot to bomb government buildings during Republic Day
celebrations, and, in September, Sikhs killed eight persons in New
Delhi in a failed attempt to assassinate the Sikh head of the ruling
Congress Party's youth wing. There are credible reports of support
by the Government of Pakistan for Kashmiri militants and some
reports of support for Sikh separatists.
Japan
No international terrorist groups based outside Japan conducted
attacks there during 1993, and domestic extremist groups were less
active than in recent years. Chukaku-ha, the most dangerous and
active Japanese leftist group, was distracted by internal politics
in the spring and is believed to have committed only nine attacks
that resulted in minimal damage and no injuries. The group listed
"crushing the Tokyo G-7 Summit" as a key 1993 combat objective, but
it failed to attack the summit directly, although it launched four
homemade rockets that landed in isolated areas of the US Army Base
at Zama, outside Tokyo, on the first day of the summit. Other
domestic leftist groups were even less active and were responsible
for only a few bombings. The Japanese Red Army (JRA) remained
dormant. Rightwing groups were responsible for a series of four
firebombings at Japanese corporate leaders' homes in February.
On 7 December, a Tokyo District Court sentenced leading JRA member
Osamu Maruoka to life imprisonment for his role in hijacking two
Japan Airlines flights in 1973 and 1977.
Pakistan
As a result of continued instability in Afghanistan, Pakistan's
northwest border region continues to witness violence against UN
staff personnel, members of nongovernmental organizations, and
figures within the Afghan refugee community. On 25 January, a
handgrenade was thrown into the residential compound of the
Director of Western Nongovernment Organization (Ngo). On 4
February, a vehicle attempted to run down a UN employee on a
residential street in Peshawar, the capital of the North-West
Frontier Province. On 11 March, a grenade attack damaged a UN
vehicle traveling on the main road through Peshawar. On 27
December, a prominent Afghan figure associated with moderate
politics was murdered in a vehicle ambush on the North-West
Frontier Province's main highway. Throughout the year, poster and
media campaigns and intimidation efforts continued against Afghans
and foreign Ngo workers, threatening death to those who supported,
even indirectly, rival Afghan parties. Human rights activists and
Afghan intellectuals residing in Pakistan continue to report
receiving direct threats. Since spring, Pakistan has moved to
identify and expel illegal Arab residents who came to Pakistan to
fight with mujahedin organizations or assist Afghan relief groups.
Pakistan also has suffered from violence arising from the
country's endemic ethnic and criminal problems. On 12 January, a
bomb exploded in a settlement of Biharis during a resettlement of
Biharis from Bangladesh to Pakistan. On 24 January, 16 persons died
in bomb blasts in the cities of Hyderabad and Latifbad. Government
measures against drug traffickers also occasionally resulted in
violence.
The Government of Pakistan acknowledges that it continues to give
moral, political, and diplomatic support to Kashmiri militants but
denies allegations of other assistance. However, there were
credible reports in 1993 of official Pakistani support to Kashmiri
militants who undertook attacks of terrorism in Indian-controlled
Kashmir. Some support came from private organizations such as the
Jamaat-i-Islami. There were also reports of support to Sikh
militants engaged in terrorism in northern India.
Pakistan was the site of Iranian-sponsored terrorism. On 6 June,
an Iranian oppositionist was shot and killed in Karachi, apparently
by Iran's intelligence service.
Philippines
The southern Philippines is experiencing a disturbing pattern of
violence against foreigners that may presage a trend beyond the
familiar pattern of largely criminal activity by splinter insurgent
groups. Missionaries and other religious workers have been targets
for kidnappers in the south as evidenced by the abductions of
several American religious workers in 1992 and 1993. Three Spanish
religious workers were also abducted during this same period. Most
recently, American Charles Walton was kidnapped in November 1993 by
the radical Islamic Abu Sayuf Group (ASG). He was held three weeks
before being released on 7 December. The ASG threatened to attack
foreign missionaries as well as tourists in the Muslim-dominated
areas of Mindanao. Sectarian violence intensified in Mindanao by
yearend when a cathedral and three mosques were attacked. The
church bombing, believed to have been perpetrated by Muslim
extremists, killed at least six persons and injured more than 150
others and may have been intended to disrupt ongoing peace
negotiations between the government and Muslim rebels. Attacks
against three local mosques were conducted late at night, and six
people sustained minor injuries. On 13 December, Muslim extremists
in Buluan, Maguindanao, stopped a bus and executed nine passengers
after identifying them as Christians. There were no terrorist
attacks by the Communist New Peoples Army (NPA) against US
interests in 1993. The Communist insurgency has declined
dramatically over the past several years because of military losses,
declining recruitment, and internal factionalism. The NPA has also
been weakened by measures taken by President Ramos to end the 24-
year-old insurgency, including the legalization of the Communist
Party of the Philippines and the release of most imprisoned
Communist detainees. The government continues to seek a
reconciliation with the Communists and Muslim rebels in the south.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka continues to be the scene of separatist violence by the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which seeks to create a
separate state called Tamil Eelam in northern and eastern Sri
Lanka. In 1993, the LTTE fought several large battles with the Sri
Lankan Army in the Tamil majority northern area of the island and
in the ethnically mixed eastern region. The LTTE maintains
effective control over the north and is seeking to drive Sinhalese
and Muslim villagers out of eastern Sri Lanka. LTTE units are well
led and equipped. Sri Lanka's Army chief resigned in December
following the Army's defeat in November at Pooneryn, the biggest
battle of the more than 10-year- old insurgency.
The LTTE continued to stage suicide attacks against leading Sri
Lankan officials. On 1 May, a suicide bomber killed former Sri
Lankan President Premadasa and dozens of bystanders in Colombo.
Opposition party leader Athulathmudali was assassinated the week
before by an unidentified lone gunman who may have been an LTTE
member. Athulathmudali had been Sri Lanka's most senior security
official and a ruthless opponent of the LTTE. Some years before,
when still a member of the ruling party, he served as Minister of
Defense.
European Overview
International terrorism in Europe increased in 1993, primarily
because of attacks by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on Turkish
targets throughout Western Europe. No Americans died in any attacks
during the year, although one American was kidnapped and eventually
released by the PKK in Turkey. The Provisional Irish Republican
Army (PIRA) and Loyalist paramilitaries continued their violent
activity in the United Kingdom, mostly against domestic targets in
Northern Ireland. In Spain, the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA)
continued its attacks as well. Elsewhere, leftwing groups such as
Germany's Red Army Faction (RAF) and Italy's Red Brigades showed
renewed signs of activity; the RAF undertook its first terrorist
operation in two years.
Eastern Europe
Anarchist and skinhead groups in Eastern Europe, particularly in
Poland and the Czech Republic, have engaged in violent
demonstrations and clashes but have not engaged in acts of
terrorism. In December, Polish anarchists held pro-PKK
demonstrations at the German Consulate in Krakow. Antiforeigner
violence by skinheads continues to be a problem in most East
European countries.
France
On 9 November, the French Government responded to the killing of
two French citizens and the kidnapping of three French Consular
officers in Algeria by ordering the roundup of suspected Algerian
Muslim extremists. In addition, in reaction to PKK activities in
France, on 18 November police throughout France rounded up more
than 100 alleged PKK members, including the suspected leader and
deputy of the group in France; 24 of those arrested have been
charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism. On 30 November, the
French Cabinet voted to ban two groups--the Kurdistan Committee and
the Federation of Kurdistan Cultural Associations and Patriotic
Workers--which were front organizations for the PKK. On 9 December,
French police rounded up a number of Tunisian Islamic extremists,
including Saleh Karkar, a founder of Tunisia's banned An-
Nahda Party. Despite an extradition request from Switzerland, on 30
December, France released two Iranian suspects in the assassination
of an Iranian opposition leader in Geneva in 1990. The French
Government explained its action by stating that it took this step
in pursuit of French national interest. Finally, the two suspects
accused of murdering former Iranian Prime Minister Shahpur Bakhtiar
remain in prison awaiting trial in 1994.
Germany
The radical leftist German Red Army Faction (RAF) undertook its
first terrorist operation in two years by blowing up an empty
prison complex with at least 400 pounds of explosives on 27 March.
On 27 June, German police arrested RAF commando-level member Birgit
Hogefeld. RAF terrorist Wolfgang Grams died during the operation.
Three separate German commissions refuted charges that the police
had "executed" Grams, judging instead that he had committed
suicide. Following the decline of Communism, the group has turned
its attention to domestic issues and has said its primary targets
will be the German justice system and officials involved in German
and European unification. The RAF has not attacked US interests
since strafing the US Embassy in February 1991.
German rightwing extremists were somewhat less active than in 1992
but continued to pose a threat to foreigners. In October, neo-Nazi
hooligans attacked US Olympic athletes at a bar in Oberhof in
eastern Germany. Two perpetrators were convicted for their roles in
the incident. German authorities have cracked down on rightwing
groups, banning six and monitoring many others. Two arsonists
responsible for the deaths of three Turks received maximum
sentences.
German authorities returned Hizballah member Abbas Ali Hammadi to
Lebanon on 6 August in accordance with the German penal practice of
releasing and deporting foreign convicts after they have served
half their sentence. Abbas Hammadi was given a 13-year sentence for
plotting to kidnap two West Germans in the hope of forcing the
release of his brother, Mohammed Hammadi, who is serving a life
sentence in Germany for hijacking and for murdering US Navy diver
Robert Stethem.
German authorities responded to a violent wave of PKK attacks on 4
November by searching Kurdish offices and residences and
confiscating PKK material. The government also banned the PKK and
35 associated Kurdish organizations on 26 November.
Greece
The new socialist government, which was elected in October, asked
Parliament to strike down the so-called antiterrorism law passed by
the previous conservative government in 1990. The Parliament
repealed the law in December. The law had broadened police powers
to wiretap, open mail, and freeze and confiscate assets; allowed
authorities to hold suspects without specifying charges if
disclosure would harm an investigation; and provided for jail terms
and fines for publishing terrorist communiques. The trial of
suspected terrorist Georgios Balafas, who was arrested in December
1992 and charged with maintaining a safehouse with explosives, had
been scheduled for November but was postponed by the new
government.
The Greek Revolutionary Organization 17 November did not target US
interests this year or the previous year, but it remains a threat
to US citizens.
Italy
Italian leftists claiming ties to the "Red Brigades for the
Construction of the Combatant Communist Party" appeared to be
attempting to revive the Red Brigades terrorist group. On 2
September, three individuals in a stolen car fired seven shots, and
one of them threw a grenade at the US Airbase in Aviano; there were
no injuries. Aviano is the staging base for US aircraft enforcing
the no-fly zone over Bosnia. Callers saying they represented the Red
Brigades phoned three Italian newspapers on 4 September to claim
responsibility for the attack. In late October, Italian police
arrested nine individuals connected with the attack, including the
three who were directly involved. Police have identified two of
those three as Red Brigades members. The Red Brigades had not
conducted an attack since 1988 and had been largely inactive since
Italian and French police arrested many of the group's members in
1989.
Red Brigades founder Renato Curcio, who had been in jail since
1976, was allowed to enter a work release program in April.
Spain
Spanish and French authorities continued to arrest key members of
Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA). Among those apprehended this
year were the group's main gunsmith and the suspected leader of
ETA's Barcelona cell, who was Spain's most wanted terrorist. French
police also uncovered an underground arms workshop and firing range
belonging to the group. Despite these losses, ETA continued to
attack Spanish security officials and Spanish and French commercial
interests throughout the year. The most spectacular of these
attacks were two car bombs in Madrid on 21 June that killed seven
persons and injured 22 others, and two car bombs in Barcelona on 29
October. During the summer, ETA set off several smaller bombs at
resort hotels along the Costa del Sol and at four locations in
Barcelona, including a building that had been part of the Olympic
Village.
Turkey
The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which continues to lead a
growing insurgency, posed the dominant terrorist threat in Turkey.
Ending a unilateral cease-fire in May, the group began a terrorist
campaign against the Turkish tourism industry, as well as attacks
against Turkish security forces--
including the massacre of 30 unarmed recruits. The PKK bombed
hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites and planted grenades on
Mediterranean beaches. In an effort to generate publicity, the PKK
kidnapped 19 Western tourists, including one American, traveling in
eastern Turkey; all were released unharmed.
The PKK staged two waves of attacks on dozens of Turkish
diplomatic and commercial facilities in several European countries
last year. The first round on 24 June consisted mostly of vandalism
and demonstrations. They occupied the Turkish Consulate in Munich
for a day, and Turkish Embassy officials killed a Kurdish
demonstrator, who was storming the Embassy in Bern, Switzerland. On
4 November, the PKK firebombed many of its targets, killing a
Turkish man in Wiesbaden, Germany. After the November attacks,
police officials in Germany swept through Kurdish offices and
apartments, confiscating PKK-related materials, while French police
arrested more than 20 Kurds, including the two alleged PKK leaders
in France. The German Interior Minister banned the PKK and 35
associated organizations on 26 November, and France banned the PKK
and the Kurdistan Committee on 29 November.
The leftist terrorist group Dev Sol is still recuperating from
severe factionalism and extensive Turkish police operations against
it. During the past two years, the Turkish National Police has
hammered at the group, killing a number of operatives, arresting
dozens more, and eliminating safehouses and weapons caches. In the
winter of 1992, a faction of Dev Sol members broke away from the
main group, protesting a lack of leadership, financial
mismanagement, and apparent security breaches. The original group
is slowly establishing dominance over the breakaway faction in
Turkey and in Europe. Despite the turmoil, the group assassinated
several Turkish officials earlier in the fall, and it continues to
target American interests.
United Kingdom
Sectarian violence accounted for the vast majority of terrorism in
the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) in 1993,
and Loyalist paramilitaries again caused more deaths than the
Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA). PIRA nonetheless remains
the most active and lethal terrorist group in Western Europe. In
March, it exploded two bombs at midday in a crowded shopping
district in Warrington, killing two children. In April, the group
detonated its largest bomb ever--a truck bomb with approximately 1
ton of explosives in the heart of London's financial district. The
blast killed a reporter, injured more than 40 people, and resulted
in damage estimated between $450 million and $1.5 billion.
PIRA also conducted several bombings in Belfast that prompted
revenge attacks by Loyalist paramilitaries. Altogether, Republican
and Loyalist attacks in Northern Ireland resulted in 84 deaths.
Continued violence during a period when PIRA was discussing the
possibility of peace talks with the British Government suggests the
group may be divided on the issue. The joint declaration issued in
December by the British and Irish Prime Ministers offered
constitutional parties and Sinn Fein, the political wing of PIRA, a
part in negotiations in exchange for a permanent end to terrorist
activities.
Former Yugoslavia
Ethnic conflict and endemic violence continued to plague many
parts of the former Yugoslavia. Within this context, it was often
difficult to separate terrorism from other forms of violence.
Nevertheless, small-scale terrorism by unidentified attackers
continues to pose a threat to foreign interests in the former
Yugoslavia. In March, a grenade was thrown at the US Embassy in
Belgrade, and a similar attack was made on the Bulgarian Embassy in
June. Several Serb leaders, including Radovan Karadzic, leader of
the Bosnian Serbs, and paramilitary leader Vojislav Seselj, have
made numerous public threats to conduct terrorism against Western
interests if the West intervenes in the war in Bosnia. Bosnian
Vice President Ejup Ganic warned in June that Bosnians living in
Europe were likely to resort to terrorism if the West did not come
to Bosnia's aid, and outside terrorist groups are reportedly
providing support to the Bosnian Muslims. In August, Croatian
authorities confiscated weapons, explosives, and false documents
from a "terrorist" network that had been aiding Bosnia. Hizballah
and Iran have provided training to the Bosnian Muslim army.
Former Soviet Union
Separatist and internal power struggles have spawned domestic
violence and could lead to acts of international terrorism.
Domestic terrorism is common in the Transcaucasus and the North
Caucasus region of Russia. In August, for example, unknown
assassins in the North Caucasus killed Russian Special Envoy
Polyanichko. Russian extremist groups have threatened to use
terrorism against the government of President Boris Yel'tsin. In
September, the Union of Soviet Stalinists threatened to assassinate
members of the Yel'tsin government unless Stanislav Terekhov--
charged with attacking the CIS military headquarters--was released
by the police. There were many hijackings within the former Soviet
Union, some with international repercussions. In February, a flight
from Perm was hijacked to Tallinn and then Stockholm, where Swedish
officials succeeded in getting the hijackers to surrender. In
September, Iranian dissidents hijacked an Aeroflot Baku-to-Perm
flight. Ukrainian authorities refueled the plane, provided it with
a navigator, and allowed it to continue to Norway.
Latin American Overview
Latin America continued to have one of the highest levels of
international terrorist activity of any region in the world, but
the rate has declined by over 30 percent since 1992. Government
counterterrorism successes in Peru and Chile and continued
disaffection with militant leftist ideologies throughout the region
account, in part, for the lower numbers. Even so, the bombing of
the US Embassy in Peru in July and of two American fast-food
franchises in Chile in September--as well as continued anti-Western
terrorism in other Latin American countries--are reminders that US
personnel and facilities in the region remain vulnerable.
As in previous years, most terrorist attacks in Latin America were
directed against domestic targets: government institutions and
personnel, economic infrastructure, and security forces. The
violence claimed several international victims, however, and the
tendency for guerrilla groups to turn increasingly to crime has led
to an abundance of kidnappings-for-profit throughout the region.
Many of the targets of such schemes have been wealthy businessmen
or diplomats. In Colombia, a German businessman was killed in a
botched kidnap attempt in September, and the body of an Italian
honorary consul, kidnapped in the summer, was found in November.
Violence continues to be most disruptive in Peru and Colombia,
where guerrillas and narcotraffickers are often linked.
Counternarcotics operations in countries such as Bolivia, Colombia,
and Peru risk coming under fire as subversive groups seek to
protect the revenue netted from their narcotics operations. In
addition, US and other foreign companies involved in exploring and
developing Latin America's natural resources have often been
targeted for attack. Foreign-owned oil pipelines in Colombia again
were targeted this year. Terrorist attacks against foreign
religious missions and aid workers also continue to be a problem;
churches were bombed in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, and three
missionaries were kidnapped in Panama.
In May, Nicaraguan authorities uncovered a large arms cache
belonging to a faction of El Salvador's Farabundo Marti National
Liberation Front (FMLN) guerrillas in an auto repair shop in
Managua. The cache contained ammunition and several types of
weapons--including surface-to-air missiles--and documents, some of
which pertained to an international kidnapping ring operated by
leftists in the 1980s. The investigation revealed that the Managua
repair shop was owned by a Spaniard--who is still at large--with
connections to Spain's ETA terrorist group. The Nicaraguan
Government invited Interpol and eight interested countries,
including the United States, to form an international commission to
share information on the case. Individuals connected to the current
Nicaraguan Government are not known to be involved in or aware of
the arms caches or related terrorist activities.
Chile
Terrorist organizations in Chile were seriously eroded over the
past year as a result of government counterterrorism successes and
the continued strength of its democratic institutions. Some old-
line leftwing groups remain active, but the number of attacks
dropped dramatically this year, and many of these represented
criminal efforts by rogue elements to stay afloat financially.
Chilean terrorists planted bombs at several Mormon churches, two
McDonald's restaurants, and a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant.
The Dissident Faction of the Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front
(FPMR/D) and the Lautaro Youth Movement (MJL) may have been
responsible for these, as well as the vast majority of domestic
terrorist attacks in the past year. The 20th anniversary of the
military coup that toppled President Allende in 1973 sparked some
terrorist violence in mid-September; 11 bombings in a two-day
period injured 55 Chileans.
The Chilean Government arrested dozens of members of the remaining
terrorist organizations in 1993. Various elements of the Lautaro
group were captured, including Delfin Diaz Quezada, the
organization's second in command; the group's logistic chief; and
the number-two commander of Lautaro's elite squad, the Lautaro
Rebel Forces. Chilean police were also successful in their fight
against the FPMR/D in 1993, capturing its military chief, Mauricio
Hernandez Norambuena. Norambuena is believed to be behind several
anti-US attacks in 1990 and 1991, which seriously injured an
American diplomat and included a LAW rocket assault against the
Marine Guard Detachment.
In November, a verdict was rendered in one of the country's most
contentious and longstanding terrorism cases. The intelligence
officers accused of ordering the assassination of former Chilean
Foreign Minister Orlando Letelier and his aide Ronni Moffitt in
Washington in 1976 were found guilty. Gen. Manuel Contreras and
Col. Pedro Espinoza were sentenced to seven and six years in
prison, respectively, although both are appealing the case to the
Chilean Supreme Court.
Colombia
Colombia continued to be one of the most violent countries in the
region in 1993, with numerous bombings against civilian targets
attributed to insurgent and drug-related terrorism. Insurgents
continued to attack foreign-owned oil pipelines on a regular basis,
raising the number of international terrorist incidents in Colombia
significantly above those of its neighbors.
Colombia's two major insurgent groups continued to demonstrate
their capacity for violence. In the fall, the Army of National
Liberation (ELN) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC) waged a month long offensive they dubbed Black September
against government targets, including ambushes on security forces
in the countryside and stepped-up attacks on government targets in
Bogota. Shopping centers, buses, and tourist hotels were targeted
by guerrillas and narcotraffickers, sustaining the threat that
foreigners could be injured in a bomb blast. Colombian guerrillas
conducted cross-border attacks and kidnappings into neighboring
countries. The 17-month hunt for Medellin narcotics kingpin Pablo
Escobar ended with his death on 2 December in a shootout with a
unit of the Government of Colombia's Special Security Task Force.
The fate of three US missionaries kidnapped in March remains
unknown. They were taken from their New Tribes Mission (NTM) camp
near the Colombian border in Panama, but officials have speculated
that the captors may have been Colombian. The kidnappers originally
demanded a $5 million ransom but have since reduced the amount. A
message recorded during the Christmas holidays included all three
men and satisfied NTM that they are alive. Ecuador
A group calling itself Puka Inti, an indigenous term meaning Red
Sun, gained attention in Ecuador by bombing several government
buildings over the past year. Formed largely from dissident members
of the defunct Ecuadorian AVC guerrilla organization, Puka Inti
probably has fewer than 100 members, and there is no evidence of
public support for the group. Puka Inti was responsible for
scattered minor bombings in 1993. Ecuador had been nearly free from
terrorist acts during the past two years. Peru
Peru's two insurgent groups, the Maoist Sendero Luminoso (SL) and
the smaller, Marxist, Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA)
suffered setbacks in the face of ongoing government
counterterrorism operations.
SL--badly stung by continued government successes against it--
retains a much larger number of committed combatants than MRTA and
is more difficult to dismantle. The group was caught offguard in
the fall when the Peruvian Government publicized three letters
written by imprisoned SL leader Abimael Guzman requesting peace
talks. Guzman read the letters aloud in videotapes shown on
national television. Guzman's hyperbolic praise for the Fujimori
government in the second letter raised doubts about his intentions,
and the videos did not halt the violence.
SL was disrupted but not dismantled by the setbacks in 1993 and
continues to wage easy-to-plan attacks on vulnerable targets,
including businesses and the tourist industry. Indeed, terrorist
attacks in Lima proliferated during the year, as SL's damaged
military capabilities led it to focus on less-well-
protected civilian targets. In May, SL bombed the Chilean Embassy
to protest talks between Santiago and Lima designed to resolve a
border dispute; no one was injured. Two Swiss tourists were
tortured and killed in early July. Also in July, the group set off
a large car bomb in front of the US Embassy on the eve of Peruvian
Independence Day celebrations. An Embassy guard was injured by
shrapnel, and the building suffered considerable damage. In
November, presumed SL terrorists tossed a satchel bomb in front of
the US-Peruvian Binational Center, breaking several windows but
causing no injuries.
Attacks by SL in 1993 were plentiful but much less lethal than in
previous years and appeared to require fewer skilled operatives and
less coordination. The group continued to lash out violently to
show that neither Guzman's arrest nor his ``peace" letters have
deterred them.
The government was more successful against MRTA, which was
crippled by arrests, defections, and in-fighting. In mid-November,
MRTA bombed an appliance store belonging to a Japanese-Peruvian
entrepreneur the group had kidnapped earlier in the year. Some
dedicated members of MRTA remain at large and are likely to
continue trying to demonstrate the group's viability. The
organization's actions over the past year, however, reinforced the
view that it is nearly defunct.
Middle Eastern Overview
In 1993, about 100 international terrorist attacks occurred in the
Middle East, up from 79 in 1992. The increase is a result of Iraqi
attacks against UN and other humanitarian efforts in northern Iraq
and escalated terrorist activity in Egypt. Ongoing, low-level
attacks in Lebanon continued, along with violence generated by
opposition to the Declaration of Principles (DOP) reached between
the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Iran's involvement in and sponsorship of terrorist activity
continued to pose significant threats in the Middle East, Europe,
Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Tehran continued to hunt down and
murder Iranian dissidents, with assassinations in Turkey, Italy,
and Pakistan. Iranian involvement is also suspected in the murder
of secular Turkish journalist Ugur Mumcu and the attempted murder
of Istanbul Jewish businessman Jak Kamhi. Hizballah, with which
Iran is closely associated, was responsible for rocket attacks into
northern Israel that killed and injured civilians. The Iranian
Government called for violence to derail the DOP and supported
violence by several rejectionist groups. Egypt, Algeria, and
Tunisia have accused Iran--and Sudan-
-of supporting local militant Islamist elements to undermine their
governments. Iran also seeks to expand its influence in Latin
America and Africa.
Iraq's capability to support international terrorism remains
hampered by continued sanctions and the regime's international
isolation, but Baghdad retains a limited capability to mount
external operations, principally in neighboring countries. The
prime example of this capability was the attempted assassination in
Kuwait of former President Bush in April, which drew a retaliatory
military response from the United States on 26 June. Baghdad also
mounted numerous terrorist operations within Iraq against UN and
other humanitarian relief operations. Moreover, Iraq continued to
provide its traditional support and safehaven to terrorist
Palestinians such as Abu Abbas and elements of the Abu Nidal
organization (ANO). There has been no direct evidence of Syrian
Government involvement in terrorist acts since 1986, but Damascus
continues to provide support and safehaven to Arab and non-Arab
terrorist organizations in Syria and in parts of Lebanon where the
Syrian Army is deployed. Syria's relationship with the PKK came
under increasing scrutiny in 1993.
In response to ongoing Libyan defiance of the demands of the
international community to cease all support for international
terrorism, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 883, which
imposed additional sanctions for refusing to hand over for trial
terrorists accused of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 and UTA Flight 772.
The Qaddafi regime has made partial and largely cosmetic moves to
close some terrorist facilities since the initial imposition of
sanctions, but it still provides support and safehaven to such
notorious terrorists as Abu Nidal. Although the case is still
unresolved, most observers suspect an official Libyan hand in the
December disappearance of Libyan dissident Mansour Kikhia from
Cairo. Domestic terrorism in Egypt continued to escalate during
the year. The number of radical Islamic groups, appeared to
increase, and they continued their attacks against Egyptian
security and civilian officials, local Christians, and tourist
targets. Unsuccessful assassination attempts were made against the
Minister of Information, the Minister of the Interior, and the Prime
Minister. Indiscriminate bombings in Cairo from February through
July killed 22 Egyptians and wounded over 100 others. Among the
most serious tourists incidents was a December incident in which
eight Austrian tourists and eight Egyptians were wounded when their
bus was attacked in Old Cairo. American citizens were victims of
other attacks: on 26 February, two Americans were among the injured
when unknown perpetrators bombed Cairo's Wadi al-Nil cafe. The
Egyptian Government has maintained that Iran and Sudan provided
support to the organizations responsible for most of the attacks.
In North Africa, Tunisia and Morocco remained generally free of
political violence. In Algeria, however, the situation continued to
deteriorate as radical elements, most thought to be associated with
the Armed Islamic Group, expanded their range of targets from
security officials to secular intellectuals and, beginning in
September, foreigners. The worst attack occurred in December when
12 Croatian and Bosnian expatriates died after having their throats
slit at their work compound in Tamezquida.
After the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian DOP in September,
proaccord elements of the PLO, including Fatah, appeared to cease
all anti-Israeli operations except in one unauthorized incident.
Rejectionist Palestinian groups, however, sought to derail the
agreement with violence and terrorism. The Izz al-Din al-Qassam
Forces arm of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) and the
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) have led the violent opposition to
the peace efforts, with civilians serving as frequent targets.
HAMAS also added suicide car bombs to its arsenal. Jewish extremist
settlers opposed to the DOP mounted several violent attacks during
the year.
In Yemen, there were several attacks by unknown assailants on
foreign interests. A small rocket hit the US Embassy in January,
and a bomb exploded outside the British Embassy in March. Several
foreigners were kidnapped by tribal elements during the year,
prompted by economic or tribal motivations. Six members of the
Yemeni Islamic Jihad, who were awaiting trial for the bombing of
two hotels in Aden in 1992, escaped from prison in July. Several
reports noted that private Islamic sources were financing the
training of radicals in camps in remote areas of Yemen.
Algeria
The security situation in Algeria continued to deteriorate with a
marked increase in attacks by Islamist extremists against the
Algerian intelligentsia, economic and infrastructure targets, and
foreigners. Extremists continued to focus most of their violent
campaign on official Algerian and military targets throughout the
year.
The fundamentalist Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), which was banned
in March 1992, reemerged as an underground movement but splintered
into several factions. The official FIS leadership remains
imprisoned in Algeria, and several other leaders went into exile
following the regime crackdown on the movement. FIS factions abroad
and within the country appear to be competing for influence over
the movement. In addition, militant offshoots of the FIS and other
extremist groups operate throughout Algeria, confusing
responsibility for each attack.
By the fall, a few loosely organized militant factions had
emerged, including the Armed Islamic Group (AIG), which is not
affiliated with the FIS. The AIG claimed responsibility for killing
two French surveyors in September and for the late October
kidnapping of three French Consulate employees, two of whom were
rescued by Algerian security services and one of whom was released
by her captors on 31 October. The kidnappers warned foreigners that
they had one month to leave the country. In early December, the
campaign against foreigners resumed with attacks on a Spaniard, an
Italian, a Russian, a Frenchman, and a Briton. In the most heinous
terrorist act in Algeria during the year, 12 Croatian and Bosnian
workers were murdered in Tamezquida on 14 December.
Despite strict antiterrorist laws, three special antiterrorist
courts, and 26 executions of convicted "terrorists," the government
was unable to stem the violence. Nearly 400 death sentences were
issued last year, and the military conducted sweeps of urban areas,
deployed military units in Algiers, and extended curfews beyond
urban areas, but, by the end of the year, extremist groups
continued their attacks on official and infrastructure targets
throughout the country.
Egypt
Islamic extremists continued to target the tourist industry,
particularly in upper Egypt, throughout the year. Two foreigners
were killed, and more than 18 others were injured in sporadic
bombings of public places and attacks on tour buses. Four more
foreigners were killed by a lone, apparently deranged gunman in a
shooting at a Cairo hotel in October. Indiscriminate bombings from
February through July were responsible for the deaths of 22 Egyptian
civilians and the wounding of over 100 others. Most of the attacks
on or near tour buses and Nile cruise ships resulted in few
injuries and little damage. Nonetheless, Egypt's tourism industry
suffered; figures estimate Cairo's earnings may have dropped as
much as 50 percent since attacks against tourist sites began in
October 1992.
Most attacks were focused on government and security officials,
the police, and Egyptian secularist Muslims. The Islamic Group
(IG), which seeks the violent overthrow of the Egyptian Government,
claimed responsibility for most of the terrorist attacks. Shaykh
Umar Abd al-Rahman, the so-called spiritual leader of the IG, was
arrested in the United States on charges related to the conspiracy
to attack various New York City institutions including the United
Nations. IG members in Egypt threatened Americans there and abroad
if their leader were harmed.
Another group or faction of extremists emerged in 1993, sometimes
calling itself the New Jihad. This group claimed responsibility for
some high profile attacks, including the attempted assassination of
the Interior Minister in August and the assassination attempt on
Prime Minister Sedky in November.
The Egyptian Government responded to increased domestic terrorism
by detaining or arresting thousands of suspected terrorists and
using military courts to try hundreds of them, convicting some and
acquitting others. Some of the convicted received death sentences
that were carried out. In addition, Cairo called for more
international coordination to combat terrorism and asked for the
expulsion of many suspected Egyptian terrorists from Pakistan,
Afghanistan, the Gulf states, and some European countries, among
others. Cairo also asked for the extradition of Shaykh Umar Abd al-
Rahman from the United States. The Egyptian Government believes
Iran and Sudan support terrorism in Egypt. Cairo criticized Tehran
for its role and expressed concern over alleged terrorist training
bases in Sudan.
In March, Cairo handed over Egyptian citizen Mahmoud Abu Halima, a
suspect in the World Trade Center bombing, to US officials. Cairo
continued to attempt to mediate international efforts to bring
Libya into compliance with UN Security Council resolutions stemming
from Libya's role in the Pan Am Flight 103 and UTA Flight 772
bombings. Israel and the Occupied Territories
Violence and terrorist acts instigated by Palestinians continued
in 1993. Attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians in Israel and
the occupied territories left approximately 65 Israelis dead and
390 others wounded. Approximately 14 Palestinians were killed by
Israeli civilians.
Intra-Palestinian violence in the occupied territories declined
during the year; approximately 83 Palestinians were killed by other
Palestinians as compared to nearly 200 in 1992. The decline is
largely the result of a tacit cease-fire between the previous
year's primary combatants, Fatah and HAMAS, and a decline in
killings of alleged collaborators. Several prominent Fatah leaders
in Gaza were assassinated late in the year, apparently by fellow
Palestinians.
Before the 13 September signing of the Israeli-Palestinian DOP,
Arafat's Fatah faction of the PLO, HAMAS, and the PIJ claimed
responsibility for the majority of terrorist and violent actions.
On 9 September, in letters to Israeli Prime Minister Rabin and
Norwegian Foreign Minister Holst, PLO Chairman Arafat committed the
PLO to cease all violence and terrorism. Between 9 September and 31
December, PLO factions loyal to Arafat complied with this commitment
except for one, possibly two, instances. Members of Fatah were
responsible for the 29 October murder of an Israeli settler, and an
alleged member of the Fatah Hawks, a PLO-affiliated group in the
Gaza Strip, claimed responsibility for the 31 December murder of
two Israelis. In both cases, the responsible individuals apparently
acted independently.
The level of violence in Israel and the occupied territories
initially declined following the signing of the DOP; however,
opposition groups determined to defeat the agreement contributed to
an increase in the number of violent incidents and terrorist
attacks over the last three months of the year. Since the DOP was
signed, Palestinian attacks have resulted in the deaths of
approximately 17 Israelis--10 civilians and 7 military personnel.
Two groups under the PLO umbrella, the Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and the Democratic Front for the
Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)-Hawatmeh faction suspended their
participation in the PLO to protest the agreement, and they
continued their campaign of violence. The PFLP claimed
responsibility for the mid-October murder of two Israeli hikers and
also for a failed seaborne raid on northern Israel.
Non-PLO groups that oppose the DOP, such as HAMAS and the PIJ,
have been responsible for the majority of violent incidents since
13 September. HAMAS's underground armed wing, known as the Izz ad-
Din al Qassam Brigades, increased its violent operations in an
attempt to disrupt implementation of the DOP. HAMAS has claimed at
least 13 postagreement attacks, including several directed at
civilians. The group mounted several suicide car-bomb attacks in
late 1993, including the 4 October ramming of an explosives-laden
vehicle into an Israeli bus that wounded 30 persons.
Israel conducted no significant prosecutions of international
terrorists during the year; however, it authorized the extradition
to the United States of two US citizens wanted for terrorist
activities. Israeli security forces killed two senior members of
the Izz ad-Din al Qassam Brigades in late November. On 31 March,
the Israeli Government, responding to a string of terrorist
attacks, instituted a strict ban on Palestinian entry into Israel,
which effectively curtailed Palestinian attacks in Israel proper.
The ban was gradually eased to allow 52,000 Palestinians to work in
Israel. Israel allowed nearly 400 HAMAS supporters that were
expelled to Lebanon in December 1992 to return to the occupied
territories in 1993. Half of the deportees returned in September,
and the remainder--with the exception of 18 who decided to remain
in Lebanon to avoid arrest--returned in December.
As a result of intensive border security by Israeli, Egyptian, and
Jordanian forces, only one successful infiltration attempt into
Israel occurred in 1993. On 29 December, three members believed to
be of the non-PLO Abu Musa group infiltrated northern Israel from
Lebanon. The three were killed by the Israeli Defense Forces; no
Israelis were hurt or killed. Rocket attacks into northern Israel
from southern Lebanon, however, increased dramatically in the first
half of the year. Israel responded by launching a major air and
artillery offensive--which it termed "Operation Accountability"--
against Lebanese Hizballah and Palestinian rejectionist positions
in Lebanon. There were no more rocket attacks from Lebanon into
Israel for the rest of the year.
Jewish extremist groups mounted several violent attacks in 1993.
Kahane Chai reacted to Arafat's official visit to Paris by
exploding two bombs near the French Embassy in Tel Aviv on 24
October; no one was injured. Kahane Chai also threatened to attack
other French interests in the region. A settler, affiliated with
the militant Kach group, claimed responsibility for an 8 November
drive-by shooting that wounded two Palestinians in the West Bank.
Israeli settlers opposed to the DOP rioted after the murder of
Israeli settler Haim Mizrahi by randomly assaulting Palestinians
and destroying property. One Palestinian was killed, and 18 others
were wounded.
Jordan
In February, Jordanian border police arrested two men, allegedly
members of the PIJ, who were smuggling weapons into Jordan. The
suspects said they were ordered to attack Americans on organized
bus tours. In April, Jordanian security forces uncovered an alleged
plot to assassinate King Hussein at a military academy graduation
ceremony in June. The suspects, all members of the outlawed Islamic
Liberation Party, were put on trial. In November, three gunmen with
reported links to the New York-based Egyptian cleric Shaykh Umar
Abd al-Rahman attacked a Jordanian Army outpost near the West Bank
border. All three assailants were killed.
Jordanian security and police closely monitor secular and Islamic
extremists inside the country and detain individuals suspected of
involvement in violent acts aimed at destabilizing the government
or undermining its relations with neighboring states. Jordan
maintains tight security along its border with Israel and last year
interdicted several armed infiltration operations attributed to
Palestinian factions.
Jordan continues to host PLO rejectionist groups such as the
Popular and Democratic Fronts for the Liberation of Palestine.
HAMAS also has an office in Amman. In addition, some extremist
Palestinian groups with a history of anti-
Western terrorist activity--including the Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), and some
factions of the PIJ--maintain a presence in Jordan.
Kuwait
The Iraqi plot to assassinate former President Bush and to explode
several bombs in Kuwait City in April was one of the year's most
brazen attempts at terrorism. Eleven Iraqis and three Kuwaitis are
on trial for the plot. They smuggled into Kuwait two vehicles, one
loaded with 180 pounds of explosives, and a collection of time
bombs, grenades, and pistols. The sophisticated remote-controlled
firing device, as well as the blasting cap, wiring, and integrated
circuitry of the car bomb matched devices that were already linked
to Iraq. Kuwaiti authorities have identified some of the Iraqi
suspects as employees of the Iraqi Intelligence Service.
Several minor terrorist incidents occurred in Kuwait last year,
separate from the Iraqi plot. In March, a series of bombs exploded
in music and video shops, one of which exploded near the Holiday
Inn. Although no arrests or claims of responsibility were made for
the attacks, local radical Muslim extremists have been blamed.
In June, a Kuwaiti court sentenced to death 10 members of the Arab
Liberation Front, a Palestinian terrorist group based in Baghdad,
for their collaboration with Iraq during the occupation of Kuwait.
Lebanon
The security situation in Lebanon has improved, and the Lebanese
Government exercises authority over significant areas of the
country. The Syrian military controls some areas, particularly in
the Bekaa Valley along the border with Syria, and Israel occupies a
self-declared security zone in the south. In the Bekaa Valley,
parts of the south, and a few other areas of the country, however,
terrorist groups continue to move about freely--notably Iranian-
backed Hizballah. The Lebanese Government has not taken steps to
disarm Hizballah or to expand its authority into areas of southern
Lebanon controlled by the group; however, it deployed a small unit
of the Lebanese Armed Forces into the region. Hizballah released
the last of the Western hostages it held in 1992; it still holds
many South Lebanese Army members that were taken prisoner during
fighting in the south. The fate of several Israeli military
personnel missing in Lebanon remains unknown.
Hizballah and Palestinian groups have launched attacks on northern
Israel from southern Lebanon. Hizballah launched rockets into
Israel throughout the year, reaching a crescendo with dozens of
rockets launched daily at the end of July. Four Israeli civilians
were killed in two of the attacks in July and August. The Israeli
military responded with a major counterattack in southern Lebanon
dubbed Operation Accountability.
There are still diverse elements in Lebanon willing to resort to
terrorism. In January, a man with explosives strapped to his waist
and several sticks of dynamite in his luggage was arrested as he
was about to board a Middle East Airlines flight to Cyprus. In
February, a bomb was placed in front of the Kuwait Airways office,
and a bomb was thrown into the Kuwaiti Embassy compound the
following month. Two bombs were discovered in June near the Danish
Embassy in Beirut. The same month, two members of the radical Sunni
``Islamic Grouping" were killed, and another was wounded while
attempting to plant a bomb near a monastery in northern Lebanon.
The intended target was a bus carrying Christians attending an
international ecumenical conference. The government is prosecuting
five members of the group. In August, a bomb was discovered near a
building that houses Kuwait Airways. Iraqi agents or their
surrogates were probably responsible for all three of the attempted
bombings of Kuwaiti interests in Lebanon. In December, Kataiv
(Phalange) Party headquarters in Beirut was blown up, killing
several people. Factional feuding among Palestinians led to several
assassinations of Palestinian leaders in Lebanon.
Iran, Iraq, and Syria continued to provide varying degrees of
financial, military, and logistic support to terrorist groups based
in Lebanon. Syria, in particular, maintains a considerable
influence over Lebanese internal affairs and has not supported
Lebanese Government attempts to control the radical Shia group,
Hizballah. Hizballah, which now has eight members in Parliament, has
been allowed to retain its well-armed militia and terrorist
capabilities. In addition, several radical Palestinian groups have
training facilities in Lebanon, including the PFLP-GC, the PIJ, and
the ANO. Several non-Arab groups-
-such as Turkey's PKK, the Revolutionary Left (Dev Sol), and the
Japanese Red Army (JRA)--also maintain facilities in Lebanon, most
of which are in the Bekaa Valley.
The Lebanese Government has taken only minimal steps toward
prosecuting terrorists responsible for the wave of hijackings,
bombings, and abductions that swept through Lebanon during its
civil war. During the last year, a military court sentenced one man
to death, but later reduced the sentence to 10 years with hard
labor, for car-bombing the American University in Beirut in 1991.
Saudi Arabia
No terrorist attacks or prosecutions related to terrorism occurred
in Saudi Arabia in 1993. The annual pilgrimage to Mecca--the hajj--
passed relatively peacefully. Nonetheless, the government continues
to be concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks
sponsored by Iraq, Iran, or Muslim extremists from other countries.
Some private Saudi citizens probably provide private funds to
HAMAS and other radical Palestinian groups throughout the region,
as well as to extremist elements in Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Saudi benefactors also sponsor paramilitary training for radical
Muslims from many countries in camps in Afghanistan, Yemen, and
Sudan.
Yemen
There were several attacks on foreign interests in Yemen by
unknown assailants in 1993. In January, a small rocket narrowly
missed the US Embassy, and, in March, a small bomb exploded outside
the British Embassy but did no damage. Perpetrators of similar
attacks on the US and German Embassies in late 1992 and 1993 have
not been apprehended.
It became relatively common practice for Yemeni tribal members to
take hostages briefly, including several foreigners, to settle
tribal disputes or extort funds. Two foreigners were abducted in
separate incidents in January in tribal disputes with Yemeni
authorities. In April, six foreign oil workers were kidnapped and
threatened with death to force a French oil company to hire more
locals at a drilling site. In May, two US oil men were abducted to
prevent the government from carrying out a death sentence imposed on
a fellow tribesman. In November, a US diplomat was seized by gunmen
and held hostage by tribal leaders seeking several concessions from
the government.
Six religious extremists, members of the Yemeni Islamic Jihad
awaiting trial for bombing two hotels in Aden at the end of 1992,
escaped from prison in July. Paramilitary training is reportedly
being conducted in parts of Yemen under weak government control and
funded in large part by private donations gathered from other parts
of the Islamic world. State-Sponsored Terrorism Overview
International terrorism would not have flourished as it has during
the past few decades without the funding, training, safehaven,
weapons, and logistic support provided to terrorists by sovereign
states. For this reason, a primary aim of our counterterrorism
policy has been to apply pressure to such states to cease and
desist in that support and to make them pay the cost if they
persist. We do this by publicly identifying state sponsors and by
imposing economic, diplomatic, and sometimes military sanctions.
Seven nations are designated as states that sponsor international
terrorism: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.
Cuba is a long-time supporter of international terrorism. As a
result of its economic difficulties, it cannot afford to be a
significant sponsor, yet it still provides safehaven in Havana for
some terrorist groups and has not renounced political support for
groups that engage in terrorism.
Iran remains the most dangerous sponsor and the greatest source of
concern to US policymakers. While Americans are no longer held
hostage by Iranian surrogates, that government continues to kill
dissidents and other enemies wherever it can find them. It
continues to fund and train extremists who seek to overthrow
friendly and secular governments, such as Egypt and Tunisia. Iran
is totally opposed to the Middle East peace process, and it arms and
funds those who share that view. The fatwa against Salman Rushdie
remains in effect; there is a strong possibility that the attempted
murder in October of the Norwegian publisher of Rushdie's book is
connected to the fatwa.
Iraq, despite the requirements of the relevant UN Security Council
resolutions, has resumed its sponsorship of terrorism. Iraq was
clearly responsible for the foiled plot to kill former President
Bush and caused President Clinton to respond with military force.
Iraq has also continually targeted international relief operations
in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq.
Libya's support for terrorism is longstanding and notorious. It is
subject to mandatory international sanctions because of its
responsibility for bombing two civil aircraft, Pan Am Flight 103
and UTA Flight 772. Although Libya has taken a number of cosmetic
and easily reversible steps to reduce its support for international
terrorism, it has not fully complied with any Security Council
demands. In December, the UN Security Council tightened sanctions to
induce Libyan compliance. Along with Iraq, Libya is the only other
nation against which the United States has responded militarily
because of its support for terrorism.
North Korea is not known to have sponsored any terrorist acts
since 1987, when a KAL airliner was bombed in flight. However,
North Korea is believed to maintain contacts with groups that
practice terrorism.
Last August, Sudan was added to the list of state sponsors. While
there is no evidence that the Government of Sudan--or the National
Islamic Front, the power broker in the country--has been a direct
sponsor of terrorism, it has willingly harbored elements of several
notorious terrorist groups, including the Abu Nidal organization,
Egypt's IG, and Hizballah. Syria continues to sponsor groups and
provide training sites and bases. Groups with Syrian ties tend to
limit attacks to anti-Israel operations, but Syria also assists
Marxist groups active in Turkey, the PKK, and Dev Sol. Both groups
have attacked Westerners. Cuba
In the past, Cuba provided significant military training, weapons,
funds, and guidance to radical subversives from different parts of
the world. Largely because of its steady and dramatic economic
decline, Cuba has been unable to maintain support to subversive
groups. Moreover, the Castro regime has minimized its ties to such
groups in an attempt to upgrade diplomatic and trade relations.
Although there is no evidence that Cuba directly sponsored an
international terrorist attack in 1993, the island continued to
serve as a safehaven for members of some regional and international
terrorist organizations.
Cuba has adhered to UN-mandated sanctions against Libya but has
not limited Libyan diplomatic representation as required. In
September, Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Pedro Miret Prieto traveled
to Libya to expand bilateral cooperation.
Iran
Iran again was the most active state sponsor of terrorism in 1993
and was implicated in terrorist attacks in Italy, Turkey, and
Pakistan. Its intelligence services support terrorist acts--either
directly or through extremist groups--aimed primarily against
opponents of the regime living abroad. Although neither Iran nor
its surrogate Hizballah has launched an attack on US interests
since 1991, Iran still surveils US missions and personnel. Tehran's
policymakers view terrorism as a valid tool to accomplish their
political objectives, and acts of terrorism are approved at the
highest levels of the Iranian Government. During the year, Iranian-
sponsored terrorist attacks were less frequent in Western Europe
and the Middle East, favored venues of the past, but were more
frequent in other areas, especially Turkey and Pakistan.
Iranian intelligence continues to stalk members of the Iranian
opposition in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Despite Tehran's attempts to distance itself from direct
involvement in terrorist acts, Iran has been linked to several
assassinations of dissidents during the past year. Iran was
probably responsible for the assassination of at least four members
of one opposition group, the Iraq-based Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK): one
in Italy in March, a second in Pakistan in June in which a
bystander was also killed, and two in Turkey in August. The body of
a MEK member who was abducted in Istanbul at the end of 1992 has
still not been found. In January, the body of another Iranian
dissident who had been kidnapped in Istanbul several months before
was found. All of the murders were carried out by professional
assassins; no arrests have been made.
Iranian intelligence agents are under arrest in Germany and France
for their links to murders of Iranian dissidents. One Iranian,
identified by German prosecutors as an Iranian intelligence agent,
is being tried with four Lebanese Hizballah members for their roles
in the murder of three Iranian Kurdish dissidents in Berlin in
September 1992. France arrested two Iranians in November 1992 for
the murder of MEK leader Kazein Rajavi in Geneva in 1990; on 30
December, France expelled them to Iran, despite an extradition
request from Switzerland. They had been in Europe as part of a hit
team to assassinate one or more unidentified Iranian dissidents.
The French Government explained that it was pursuing French
national interests. A French magistrate investigating the killings
of former Iranian Prime Minister Shahpur Bakhtiar and an assistant
near Paris in 1991 has linked the murder to Iranian intelligence.
Three men are being held in French prisons in connection with the
murders, including a nephew of President Rafsanjani who was an
employee of the Iranian Embassy, and a nephew of the late Ayatollah
Khomeini who was an Iranian radio correspondent. French authorities
have issued arrest warrants for several other men.
Iranian leaders continue to defend the late Ayatollah Khomeini's
1989 fatwa, which condemned British author Salman Rushdie for
blasphemy and called for his death. In February, on the fourth
anniversary of the decree, Iran's current spiritual leader,
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared that the death sentence must and
will be carried out, no matter the consequences. To demonstrate its
support, the Iranian Parliament also passed a resolution endorsing
the fatwa and calling for Rushdie's death. An Iranian foundation
that has offered a reward of more than $2 million for killing
Rushdie has warned that Muslims will also take revenge on anyone
who supports Rushdie. In Beirut, Hizballah vowed to carry out the
decree. In Oslo, an unknown assailant shot and seriously wounded
the Norwegian publisher of The Satanic Verses in October. In Turkey
in July, 37 persons died in a fire set by anti-Rushdie demonstrators
during a violent three-month-long campaign to prevent a Turkish
magazine from publishing excerpts of Rushdie's book. At the start
of the campaign, the Iranian Ambassador to Turkey proclaimed that
the fatwa against Rushdie also applied in Turkey. Fundamentalists,
including Turkish Hizballah groups, issued death threats to the
journal's officials, distributors, and vendors and attacked
printing facilities, distribution vehicles, and sales kiosks,
injuring several workers. Iran is also the world's preeminent
sponsor of extremist Islamic and Palestinian groups, providing
funds, weapons, and training. The Lebanese Hizballah, Iran's most
important client, was responsible for some of the most lethal acts
of terrorism of the last decade, including the 1992 car bombing of
the Israeli Embassy in Argentina. In 1993, Hizballah concentrated on
guerrilla operations in southern Lebanon, including rocket attacks
on civilians in northern Israel, and simultaneously boosted its
political influence in the Lebanese parliament. Hizballah has also
continued its efforts to develop a worldwide terrorist
infrastructure.
Iran supports many other radical organizations that have resorted
to terrorism, including the PIJ, the PFLP-GC, and HAMAS. Iranian
leaders have worked to develop a rejectionist front, comprising
Hizballah and 10 Palestinian groups based in Damascus, to counter
the Middle East process.
An Iranian-backed Turkish group, Islamic Action--also referred to
as the Islamic Movement Organization--is suspected by Turkish
authorities in the car bombing of a prominent Turkish journalist in
Istanbul in January and an assassination attempt on a Turkish
Jewish businessman a few days later. In February, three members of
an Iranian-backed radical Islamic group, possibly Islamic Action,
were convicted for the bombing of an Istanbul synagogue almost a
year earlier. It is unclear whether the group, some of whose members
were arrested by Turkish police, were involved in the anti-Rushdie
campaign in Turkey or linked to any of the several hundred murders
of secular Kurdish activists in eastern Turkey that have been
blamed on so-called Turkish Hizballah groups.
Tehran continues to support and provide sanctuary for the PKK,
which was responsible for hundreds of deaths in Turkey during the
year.
Iran has become the main supporter and ally of the fundamentalist
regime in Sudan. Members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps provide training for the Sudanese military. The Iranian
Ambassador to Khartoum was involved in the takeover of the US
Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and played a leading role in developing
Hizballah in the 1980s. Khartoum has become a key venue for Iranian
contact with Palestinian and North African extremists.
The opposition group MEK launched several attacks into Iran from
Iraq in 1993, mostly on oil refineries and pipelines in
southwestern Iran. Two guards were killed in an attack on a
communications facility of the national oil company in Kermanshah
in May. In December, the MEK admitted that it killed a Turkish
diplomat in Baghdad, claiming he was mistaken for an Iranian
official.
Iraq
The attempted assassination of former President Bush in Kuwait in
April was the most brazen Iraqi act of terrorism in 1993. Iraqi-
sponsored terrorism has become almost commonplace in northern Iraq,
where the regime has been responsible for dozens of attacks on UN
and relief agency personnel and aid convoys.
Iraq has not fully recovered its ability to conduct terrorist
attacks outside its borders since the mass expulsion of Iraqi
agents from many countries during the Gulf war. However, Iraqi
intelligence has resumed sending agents abroad to track opponents
of Saddam Husayn.
Kuwaiti officials discovered the elaborate scheme to kill former
President Bush with an enormous car bomb shortly before he arrived
for a visit. The group arrested for the assassination attempt was
also planning a bombing campaign to destabilize Kuwait. The 14
suspects--11 Iraqis and three Kuwaitis-
-went on trial in June. Several of the Iraqi defendants worked for
Iraqi intelligence, according to testimony in the trial. Forensic
evidence also clearly linked Iraq to the abortive attack.
Iraqi-backed surrogates were probably responsible for two attempts
to bomb the Kuwait Airways office in Beirut and another attempt to
bomb the Kuwaiti Embassy, also in Lebanon. The Iraqi regime
continued its war of attrition on UN and humanitarian targets in
northern Iraq aimed at driving the foreign presence out of the area
and depriving the Kurdish population of relief supplies. UN and
relief workers were shot at; bombs or grenades were tossed at
residences and vehicles; and bombs were placed on UN trucks loaded
with relief supplies. In March, a Belgian official of Handicapped
International was shot and killed; a local employee of the same
organization was killed and six others were injured when an aid
station was bombed in December. We suspect Iraqi involvement.
On 26 September, a UN truck carrying 12 tons of medical supplies
was completely destroyed by a bomb attached to the fuel tank
probably by Iraqi agents at an Iraqi checkpoint. The truckdriver
and 12 civilians were injured by the blast. The incident
illustrates Iraqi determination to reduce aid to the Kurds.
Although the Iraqi Government agreed in 1992 to comply with UN
Resolution 687, which requires that Iraq not allow any terrorist
organization to operate within its territory, Baghdad still
maintains contacts with or provides sanctuary to several groups and
individuals that have practiced terrorism. For example, the PKK,
which has killed hundreds of people in attacks inside Turkey and
has mounted two separate terrorist campaigns against Turkish
interests in Europe in 1993, has training camps in Iraq, according
to press reports. Iraq supports an opposition group, the MEK, which
carried out several violent attacks in Iran during the year from
bases in Iraq. Baghdad also harbors members of several extremist
Palestinian groups including the ANO, the Arab Liberation Front,
and Abu Abbas's Palestine Liberation Front (PLF).
Libya
The Libyan Government took no serious measures during the year to
comply fully with UN Security Council Resolution 731. The
resolution demanded that Libya take steps to end its state-
sponsored terrorism, including extraditing two Libyan intelligence
agents indicted by the United States and the United Kingdom for
their role in bombing Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988. The resolution
also required that Libya accept responsibility for the bombing,
disclose all evidence related to it, pay appropriate compensation,
satisfy French demands regarding Libya's alleged role in bombing
UTA Flight 772 in 1989, and cease all forms of terrorism. The UN
Security Council adopted Resolution 748 in March 1992; it imposed
an arms and civil aviation embargo on Libya, demanded that Libyan
Arab Airlines offices be closed, and required that all states
reduce Libya's diplomatic presence abroad. Libya's continued
defiance of the resolutions led the Security Council to adopt
Resolution 883 in November 1993, which imposed a limited assets
freeze and oil technology embargo on Libya and significantly
tightened up existing sanctions.
Although the Libyan regime made some cosmetic changes to its
terrorism apparatus immediately following the adoption of
Resolutions 731 and 748, it made no further attempts during the
year to dismantle its broad-based terrorism network. Instead,
Tripoli concentrated its efforts on extricating itself from UN
sanctions by floating a number of proposals that fell short of UN
demands, including offering the two suspects for trial in a
"neutral" country and leaving their "surrender" up to the suspects.
The Libyan regime has largely avoided association with acts of
terrorism and terrorist groups while under the United Nations'
watchful eye; however, its multifaceted terrorism apparatus remains
intact. Qadhafi reiterated his anti-
Western themes throughout the year and publicly offered support to
radical Palestinian groups opposed to the PLO's Gaza-Jericho accord
with Israel. In addition, Qadhafi publicly threatened to support
extremist Islamic groups in neighboring Algeria and Tunisia as
punishment for not having adequately supported Libya against the UN
sanctions effort. Qadhafi's speeches in the fall of 1993,
particularly after the mid-October uprising and subsequent
crackdown, became increasingly belligerent, and he vowed to strike
back against Libyan oppositionists, those who enforced sanctions
against Libya, and individuals who cooperated with the United
States. Qadhafi also invited notorious terrorist organizations--
including the ANO and PIRA--to Libya in December. Oppositionists in
exile have blamed Tripoli for the December disappearance from Cairo
of prominent dissident and former Libyan Foreign Minister, Mansur
Kikhia.
North Korea
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is not known to have
sponsored any terrorist acts since 1987, when a KAL airliner was
bombed in flight. A North Korean spokesman condemned all forms of
terrorism including state terrorism after the April assassination
of South African Communist Party chief Chris Hani. P'yongyang has
supported the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army
(CPP/NPA) in the past but does not appear to be doing so at
present. North Korea is believed, however, to maintain contacts with
other groups that practice terrorism. P'yongyang continues to
provide political sanctuary to members of the Japanese Communist
League-Red Army Faction who participated in the hijacking of a
Japanese airlines flight to North Korea in 1970.
Sudan
In August, the Secretary of State placed Sudan on the list of
state sponsors of terrorism. Despite several warnings to cease
supporting radical extremists, the Sudanese Government continued to
harbor international terrorist groups in Sudan. Through the
National Islamic Front (NIF), which dominates the Sudanese
Government, Sudan maintained a disturbing relationship with a wide
range of Islamic extremists. The list includes the ANO, the
Palestinian HAMAS, the PIJ, the Lebanese Hizballah, and Egypt's al
Gama'at al-Islamiyya.
The Sudanese Government also opposed the presence of the United
Nations coalition in Somalia and probably provided some aid to the
Somali Islamic Union and the Somali National Alliance. Egypt,
Tunisia, and Algeria have complained that Sudan supports antiregime
insurgents in North Africa with safehaven, weapons, passports,
funds, and training. Algeria withdrew its Ambassador from Khartoum
in March.
Sudan's ties to Iran, the leading state sponsor of terrorism,
continued to cause concern during the past year. Sudan served as a
convenient transit point, meeting site, and safehaven for Iranian-
backed extremist groups. Iranian Ambassador in Khartoum Majid Kamal
was involved in the 1979 takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran and
guided Iranian efforts in developing the Lebanese Hizballah group
while he served as Iran's top diplomat in Lebanon during the early
1980s. His presence illustrated the importance Iran places on
Sudan.
Although there is no conclusive evidence linking the Government of
Sudan to any specific terrorist incident during the year, five of
15 suspects arrested this summer following the New York City bomb
plot are Sudanese citizens. Khartoum's anti-US rhetoric also
escalated during 1993. In September, at a prominent Khartoum
mosque, a radical journalist called for the murder of the US
Ambassador. President Bashir dismissed the call as that of an
unstable individual, but no NIF officials publicly disavowed it.
Syria
There is no evidence that Syrian officials have been directly
involved in planning or executing terrorist attacks since 1986, but
Syria continues to provide support to and safehaven for several
groups that engage in international terrorism. Syria has taken
steps to restrain the international activities of some of these
groups. In July, Damascus played an important part in cooling
hostilities in southern Lebanon by inducing Hizballah to halt its
rocket attacks on northern Israel. Since the signing of the Gaza-
Jericho accord in September, Syria has counseled Palestinian
rejectionists to refrain from violence outside the region, although
it has not acted to stop rejectionist violence in southern Lebanon,
or halted Iranian resupply of Hizballah via Syria.
Several radical terrorist groups maintain training camps or other
facilities on Syrian territory. Ahmad Jibril's PFLP-GC, for
example, has its headquarters near Damascus. In addition, Damascus
grants a wide variety of groups engaged in terrorism--including the
PFLP-GC, the ANO, the PIJ, and the JRA--basing privileges or refuge
in areas of Lebanon's Bekaa Valley under Syrian control. The
notorious international terrorist Carlos appears to continue to
enjoy Syrian sanctuary.
The Turkish PKK continues to train in the Bekaa Valley, despite
earlier reports that camps had been closed. The PKK is responsible
for hundreds of terrorist incidents in Turkey and across Europe,
including bombings and kidnappings of foreigners. One American was
held hostage by the group. PKK leader Abdulla Ocalan, who is
believed to reside in Syria, made threats against Turkey and
foreign tourists and residents of Turkey in press conferences in
the Bekaa Valley during the year. Syrian safehaven for PKK
operations was vigorously protested by Turkey and is the subject of
ongoing talks between Syria and Turkey.
International Community Action Against Terrorism
The UN Security Council continued its support for American,
British, and French efforts to contain Libyan terrorism.
The year's accomplishments built upon two historic UN Security
Council Resolutions: 731 passed in January 1992 and 748 passed in
March 1992. Resolution 731 endorsed the demands of the United
States, the United Kingdom, and France in connection with the
destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 and UTA Flight 772. Resolution
748, for the first time in the history of the United Nations,
imposed Chapter VII sanctions against a state accused of acts of
international terrorism.
On 11 November 1993, the Council approved Resolution 883 by an
even greater margin than Resolution 748 (11 in favor, none opposed,
four abstentions). The resolution:
-- Froze funds and financial resources owned or controlled by the
Government of Libya.
-- Forbade states to provide Libya with oil, transportation, and
refining equipment.
-- Closed several loopholes in the civil aviation and diplomatic
presence provisions of Resolution 748.
-- Offered to suspend the sanctions if Libya complied with the
first of the Security Council demands--ensuring the appearance for
trial of the suspects in the Pan Am Flight 103 case, and
cooperating with French officials in the UTA Flight 772 case. The
sanctions would only be permanently lifted when Libya complied
fully with the UN's requirements.
These new sanctions took effect on 1 December.
The sanctions mandated under Resolutions 748 and 883 have been
widely applied throughout the world. The United States, in
cooperation with France and Britain, has been especially active in
assisting other nations to enforce the sanctions through exchange
of information and technical advice on implementation.
During the year, the Secretary General continued his efforts to
secure full Libyan compliance with both resolutions. Libya has yet
to satisfy any of the requirements imposed by Security Council
Resolution 731.
Technical experts from a number of nations that produce plastic
explosives continued to meet under the auspices of the
International Civil Aviation Organization to review various marking
chemicals to be included in plastic explosives in accord with the
terms of the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for
Purposes of Detection. That convention, completed in Montreal in
1991, has been signed by the United States and 45 other nations. In
November 1993, the US Senate gave its advice and consent to
ratification of the treaty. US ratification will be completed when
Congress passes enacting legislation, expected in 1994.
(###)
Appendix A
Chronology of Significant Terrorist Incidents, 1993
-----------------------------------------------------
22 January
Peru
Terrorists detonated a van bomb at a Coca-Cola plant in central
Lima. The bomb caused serious damage to the plant. At least two
persons were killed and two injured. Later that day, a car bomb
detonated at another Coca-Cola facility in Lima, causing only
slight material damage.
24 January
Turkey
Well-known Turkish journalist Ugar Muncu, noted for his criticism
of Islamic extremism and separatism, was killed when a bomb
exploded under his car outside his apartment in Ankara.
28 January Turkey
Police bodyguards foiled an attempt to ambush the motorcade of a
prominent Jewish businessman and community leader in Istanbul.
Police recovered an RPG-
18 rocket at the scene, and on 30 January arrested two of the
terrorists as they fled toward the Iranian border.
28 January Peru
Terrorists exploded a car bomb in front of the IBM headquarters
building in Lima. Major damage was caused and eleven passersby and
employees were injured.
31 January
Panama
A large group of FARC terrorists from Colombia kidnapped three U.S.
missionaries from the New Tribes Mission at a location near the
Colombian border. The missionaries are Mark Rich, David Mankins,
and Rick Tenenoff. A five million dollar ransom has been demanded;
FARC produced proof that the three missionaries were still alive in
December through taped messages from the hostages to their wives.
FARC is still holding the hostages.
4 February
Egypt
A molotov cocktail bomb was lobbed at a tour bus as South Korean
passengers waited to embark at a hotel outside Cairo. The Islamic
extremist terrorist group Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya claimed
responsibility for the attack.
23 February
Colombia
Eight ELN terrorists kidnapped U.S. citizen Lewis Manning, an
employee of the Colombian gold-mining company Oresom, in the Choco
area. In December, the International Committee of the Red Cross
received a photograph of the hostage as proof that he was still
alive.
26 February
Egypt
A Swedish, Turkish and an Egyptian citizen were killed when a bomb
exploded inside a cafe in downtown Cairo. Eighteen others,
including U.S. citizens Jill Papineau and Raymond Chico, a Canadian
and a Frenchman, were wounded.
26 February United States
Terrorists exploded a massive van bomb in an underground parking
garage below the World Trade Center in New York City. Six persons
were killed and some one thousand injured. A group of Islamic
extremists was later arrested.
3 March
Former Yugoslavia
Terrorists exploded a small bomb, probably a handgrenade, in front
of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, causing minor damage but no
casualties.
7 March
Germany
Terrorists firebombed the Turkish consulate in Hamburg, causing
little damage and no casualties. Police arrested four persons.
8 March
Costa Rica
Four terrorists took 25 persons hostage in the Nicaraguan Embassy
in San Jose, including the Nicaraguan ambassador. The hostage
situation continued for several days while negotiations were
conducted. On 21 March the occupation of the embassy concluded
peacefully. After the hostages were released, the terrorists were
permitted to leave the country.
16 March
Italy
Two terrorists on a motor-scooter shot and killed a leading Iranian
dissident while he was traveling in his car in Rome.
22 March
Iraq
A Belgian official from a non-government organization involved in
relief efforts in northern Iraq was shot and killed while traveling
on the road between Irbil and Sulaimaniyah.
15 April
Kuwait
Kuwaiti authorities arrested seventeen persons as they attempted to
infiltrate Kuwait from Iraq. An additional person was arrested
later, and a large car bomb and weapons were recovered. The group
stands charged with being part of an Iraqi government plot to
assassinate former President Bush while he was visiting Kuwait.
20 April
Egypt
Terrorists attempted to assassinate Egyptian Information Minister
Safwat Sharif in Cairo by firing shots at his motorcade. The
Minister was slightly injured and his bodyguard seriously wounded.
Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya claimed responsibility for the attack.
13 May
Chile
Three terrorists entered a Mormon church in Santiago, overpowered
the Bishop, sprayed the church with fuel and set it afire. The
church was completely destroyed. The terrorists left pamphlets at
the scene in which the Mapu Lautaro group -- United Popular Action
Movement -- claimed responsibility.
19 May
Peru
Terrorists detonated a car bomb in front of the Chilean Embassy in
Lima at the end of a strike called by the Sendero Luminoso
terrorist group. The explosion damaged the embassy and nearby
houses but did not result in any casualties.
8 June
Egypt
Terrorists exploded a bomb underneath an overpass as a tour bus was
on its way to the Giza pyramids. Two Egyptians were killed and six
British tourists, nine Egyptians, three Syrians and at least three
others were injured.
22 June
Lebanon
Two terrorists were killed and another injured while attempting to
plant a bomb on a bridge near the Al-Balamand monastery. The
target of the failed bomb attempt may have been a bus carrying 22
church members from around the world who were attending a meeting
of the commission for dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox
churches.
24 June
Western Europe
Terrorists from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) staged a wave of
coordinated attacks in more than 30 cities in six Western European
countries. The attacks consisted primarily of vandalism against
Turkish diplomatic and commercial targets, and included the take-
over of one Turkish consulate.
27 June
Turkey
Terrorists threw handgrenades at a number of hotels and restaurants
frequented by tourists in the Mediterranean resort area of Antalya.
Twelve foreigners were among the 28 persons injured. Earlier, on 9
June, PKK leader Abdulla Ocalan threatened that his group would
start to use violence against tourist facilities in Western Turkey.
1 July
Japan
A few days before President Clinton's arrival at the base prior to
the Group of Seven summit in Tokyo, terrorists fired two home-made
rockets at the U.S. Air Force Base at Yokota, causing minimal
damage but no casualties.
7 July Japan
Terrorists exploded a home-made bomb at the United Nations
Technology Center in Osaka, causing minor damage and no casualties.
On 9 July the Chukaku-Ha terrorist group claimed responsibility.
7 July
Peru
Police discovered the bodies of two European tourists in a remote
area of Ayacucho. The two had been traveling together in a region
contested by Sendero Luminoso terrorists.
7 July
Japan
Terrorists fired four home-made projectiles at the headquarters of
the U.S. Air Force in Japan at Camp Zama. None of the projectiles
exploded and little damage was caused.
5 July to 14 October
Turkey
In eight separate incidents within this period, the PKK kidnapped a
total of 19 Western tourists traveling in southeastern Turkey. The
hostages, including U.S. citizen Colin Patrick Starger, were
released unharmed after spending several weeks in captivity.
25 July
Turkey
A terrorist bomb planted in a trash can next to an automatic teller
machine in the Hagia Sophia district of Istanbul exploded and
wounded two Italian tourists.
27 July
Peru
After first spraying the building with automatic weapons,
terrorists exploded a van bomb outside the U.S. Embassy in Lima.
One embassy guard was injured. The explosion caused extensive
damage to the embassy's facade and perimeter fence. Subsequent
small fires caused only minor damage. The nearby Spanish Embassy,
together with stores and a U.S.-owned hotel, were also damaged. Two
hotel employees and a hotel guest were injured. The explosion
coincided with an "armed strike" called by Sendero Luminoso.
18 August
Turkey
Terrorists threw a handgrenade underneath a Hungarian tourist bus
in front of a hotel. Three foreign tourists and five Turkish
bystanders were injured.
18 August
Egypt
A motorcycle bomb killed five persons and wounded some fifteen
others on a road in Cairo. The bomb was directed at Egyptian
Interior Minister Alfi, who was slightly injured. The Islamic
extremist group New Jihad claimed responsibility.
25 August
Turkey
Four terrorists, masquerading as Turkish security officials,
kidnapped Iranian dissident Mohammad Khaderi from his residence.
ON 4 September his body was discovered by the side of the
Kiursehir-Boztepe highway.
28 August
Turkey
Iranian dissident Behram Azadfer was assassinated by terrorists in
Ankara.
2 September
Italy
Three terrorists threw a handgrenade over the fence and also fired
shots at the U.S. Air Force Base at Aviano. The Red Brigades
terrorist group later claimed responsibility.
9 September
Chile
Terrorists placed small bombs at two McDonalds outlets and a
Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet in the Santiago area. The two bombs
in the McDonalds outlets exploded, causing some damage but no
casualties. The bomb in the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet was
found and deactivated. In all three instances, a male claiming to
be a member of the Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR)
telephoned to claim responsibility.
20 September
Algeria
One Moroccan and two French surveyors were kidnapped by terrorists
s they drove between Oran and Sidi Bel Abbes. The Morrocan citizen
was released unharmed, but the two Frenchmen were later found
murdered.
26 September
Iraq
A United Nations truck carrying twelve tons of medical supplies was
destroyed by a bomb while traveling near Irbil. The bomb had been
attached to the truck's fuel tank. The driver and twelve civilians
were injured.
11 October
Norway
The Norwegian publisher of Salman Rushdie's book Satanic Verses was
shot and seriously wounded at his home near Oslo.
16 October
Algeria
Terrorists shot and killed two Russian military officers and
wounded a third outside an apartment building near the Algerian
military academy. The Russians were instructors at the academy.
19 October
Algeria
Terrorists kidnapped a Peruvian, a Filipino, and a Colombian from
the cafeteria of an Italian construction firm in Tiaret. The three
were technicians employed by the firm. On 21 October the three
were found dead some fifty kilometers from the abduction site.
Their throats had been cut. On 26 October, the extremist Armed
Islamic Group claimed responsibility for this and other attacks
against foreigners.
24 October
Algeria
Three French diplomats were kidnapped as they left their apartment
in Algiers. A police officer who attempted to prevent the
kidnapping was shot and killed. On 26 October the Armed Islamic
Group claimed responsibility for the incident. The three diplomats
were released unharmed on the night of 30 October.
24 October
Israel
Two small explosive charges were detonated near the French embassy
in Tel Aviv. There was no damage or casualties. A member of the
Jewish extremist Kahana Hay movement claimed responsibility for the
explosions, saying the attack was carried out to protest PLO leader
Yasir Arafat's visit to France and agreements he signed there.
25 October
Nigeria
Four members of a Nigerian dissident group hijacked a Nigerian
Airways Airbus-
310 airliner with 150 passengers and crew on board shortly after it
took off from Lagos. After trying unsuccessfully to land the
aircraft at Ndjamena, Chad, the terrorists ordered the plane to
land at Niamey, Niger. The hijackers then released two groups of
passengers. After lengthy but fruitless negotiations, Nigerien
police stormed the aircraft on 28 October. All four of the
hijackers surrendered, but one of the crew was killed and one of the
hijackers during the rescue operation.
25 October
Peru
Terrorists exploded a large bomb under a minibus in the parking lot
near the departure terminal at Lima's international airport. The
driver of a hotel shuttle bus was killed and about 20 other persons
injured. The American Airlines cargo office, which was located
nearby, sustained some damage.
29 October
France
Three terrorists threw a firebomb into the Turkish-owned Bosphorus
Bank in central Paris. No serious damage was caused, but four
people were injured, one seriously.
4 November
Western Europe
The PKK staged a second round of coordinated attacks against
Turkish diplomatic and commercial facilities in six Western
European countries. The assaults consisted mainly of firebombings
and vandalism, but one person was killed and about 20 injured.
8 November
Iran
Two handgrenades were thrown into the courtyard of the French
embassy in Tehran, causing no casualties and little damage. On the
same day, a French citizen was injured when a handgrenade was
thrown into the Tehran offices of Air France. A group called the
Hizballah Committee claimed responsibility for both attacks, saying
they were carried out to protest the French government's support
for the Mujahedin-E-Khalq.
14 November
Philippines
Terrorists from the Islamic extremist group Abu Sayyaf kidnapped a
U.S. missionary, Charles M. Watson, in Pangutaran Island, Sulu
Batu. The missionary worked for the Summer Institute of
Linguistics. He was released unharmed in Manila on 7 December.
20 November
Peru
Terrorists exploded a satchel bomb outside the offices of the U.S.
Peruvian Bi-national Center in Lima. The bomb caused minor damage
but no casualties.
25 November
Egypt
A carbomb exploded near the motorcade of Prime Minister Atif Sedki;
the prime Minister was unhurt but one bystander, a teen-aged girl,
was killed and at least 18 persons wounded. The "Jihad Group"
later claimed responsibility.
29 November
Iraq
Terrorists shot and seriously wounded the senior fuel coordinator
for the Australian CARE organization in Atrush.
2 December
Algeria
A Spanish businessman was shot and killed at an illegal roadblock
manned by terrorists while driving between Oran and Annaba.
4 December
Algeria
An Italian businessman was shot and wounded by a terrorist as he
left his residence in a suburb of Algiers.
5 December
Algeria
Terrorists shot and killed a Russian woman as she was shopping in a
market in Algiers.
7 December
Algeria
Terrorists shot and killed a British subject at a gas station in
Arzew.
7 December
Algeria
Terrorists shot and killed a retired French citizen in Larba. At
the time the Frenchman was in his hut on the grounds of a company
for which he had once worked.
9 December
Egypt
A police officer was killed and six others injured when a group of
terrorists opened fire on two movie houses which were showing
foreign films. On 12 December Al-Gam'a al-Islamiyya claimed
responsibility, stating that the attack was in retaliation for the
screening of "immoral" films.
11 December
Egypt
Libyan dissident, human rights activist and former Foreign Minister
Mansour Kikhia was kidnapped from his hotel in Cairo. Ambassador
Kikhia was visiting Cairo to attend a human rights conference. He
has not been heard from since.
13 December
Iraq
One person was killed and six others were injured in Sulaimaniyah
when a terrorist bomb destroyed a relief center operated by the
Belgian humanitarian group "Handicap International".
14 December
Algeria
A large group of armed terrorists attacked a work camp of a hydro-
electric project in Tamezguida. Fourteen Croatian citizens were
taken out of the camp. Twelve were murdered by having their
throats slit, but two others escaped with injuries. On 16 December
the Armed Islamic Group claimed responsibility, stating that the
attack was part of an ongoing campaign to rid Algeria of all
foreigners and to avenge Muslims killed in Bosnia.
27 December
Egypt
Seven Austrian tourists and eight Egyptians were wounded when
terrorists fired on a tour bus traveling in the old district of
Cairo. A small bomb which was thrown at the bus rolled near a cafe
and exploded.
29 December
Algeria
Terrorists murdered a Belgian husband and wife as they slept in
their home in Bouira. The husband had his throat cut, and his wife
was shot.
(###)
Appendix B
Background Information on Major Groups Discussed in the Report
Abu Nidal Organization (ANO)
aka: Fatah Revolutionary Council, Arab Revolutionary Council, Arab
Revolutionary Brigades, Black September, Revolutionary Organization
of Socialist Muslims.
Description
International terrorist organization led by Sabri al-Banna. Split
from PLO in 1974. Made up of various functional committees,
including political, military, and financial.
Activities
Has carried out over 90 terrorist attacks since 1974 in 20
countries, killing or injuring almost 900 people. Targets the
united States, the United Kingdom, France, Israel, moderate
Palestinians, the PLO, and various Arab countries, depending on
which state is sponsoring it at the time. Major attacks include
Rome and Vienna airports in December 1985, the Neve Shalom
synagogue in Istanbul, the Pan Am Flight 73 hijacking in Karachi in
September 1986, and The City of Poros day-excursion ship attack in
July 1988 in Greece. Suspected of carrying out assassination on 14
January 1991 in Tunis of PLO deputy chief Abu Iyad and PLO security
chief Abu Hul. ANO members also attacked and seriously wounded a
senior ANO dissident in Algeria in March 1990.
Strength
Several hundred plus "militial" in Lebanon and overseas support
structure.
Location/Area of Operation
Headquartered in Iraq (1974-83) and Syria (1983-87); currently
headquartered in Libya with substantial presence in Lebanon (in the
Bekaa Valley and several Palestinian refugee camps in coastal areas
of Lebanon). Also has presence in Algeria. Has demonstrated
ability to operate over wide area, including Middle East, Asia, and
Europe.
External Aid
Has received considerable support, including safehaven, training,
logistic assistance, and financial aid from Iraq and Syria (until
1987); continues to receive aid from Libya, in addition to close
support for selected operations. Also has a presence in Sudan.
Al-Fatah
aka: Al-'Asifa.
Description
Headed by Yasser Arafat, Fatah joined the PLO in 1968 and won the
leadership role in 1969. Its commanders were expelled from Jordan
following violent confrontations with Jordanian forces during the
period 1970-71, beginning with Black September in 1970. The
Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 led to the group's dispersal to
several Middle Eastern countries, including Tunisia, Yemen,
Algeria, Iraq, and others. Maintains several military and
intelligence wings that have carried out terrorist attacks,
including Force 17 and the Western Sector. Two of its leaders, Abu
Jihad and Abu Iyad, were assassinated in recent years.
Activities
In the 1960s and the 1970s, Fatah offered training to a wide range
of European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and African terrorist and
insurgent groups. Carried out numerous acts of international
terrorism in western Europe and the Middle East in the early-
tomiddle 1970s. Arafat signed the Declaration of Principles (DOP)
with Israel in 1993 and renounced terrorism and violence. There
has been no authorized terrorist operation since that time.
Strength
6,000 to 8,000
Location/Area of Operation
Headquartered in Tunisis, with bases in Lebanon and other Middle
Eastern countries.
External Aid
Has had close political and financial ties to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
and other moderate Gulf states. These relations were disrupted by
the Gulf crisis of 1990-91. Also had links to Jordan. Received
weapons, explosives, and training from the former USSR and the
former Communist regimes of East European states. China and North
Korea have reportedly provided some weapons.
Algerian Terrorism
Description
Terrorism in Algeria is conducted by a number of indigenous Islamic
militant groups seeking to overthrow the current secular regime and
establish an Islamic state. Algerian violence began following the
ouster of President Bendjedid in 1992 and the follow-on regime's
voiding of the Islamic Salvation Front's (FIS) victory in
parliamentary elections of December 1991. Following a government
crackdown in which many FIS leaders were imprisoned or exiled, the
Islamic movement in Algeria splintered into numerous militant
groups, not all of which are affiliated with the FIS. Groups that
have been responsible for terrorist attacks are the Armed Islamic
Group (AIG), the Movement for an Islamic State (MIS), the Army of
the Prophet Muhammad, the United Company of Jihad, and the Armed
Islamic Movement (AIM).
Activities
Frequent attacks against regime targets, particularly police,
security personnel, and government officials; these include
assassinations and bombings. Algerian terrorists have turned
increasingly to violence against civilians. Since June 1993, for
example, they have killed seven Algerian journalists. In September
1993, Algerian terrorists began targeting foreign nationals in
Algeria, murdering two Frenchmen. In October, they killed five
foreign nationals and kidnapped several more, including three French
Consular officials, and threatened to begin indiscriminate attacks
on all foreign residents by December. Since 1992, at least 1,500
people have died in Algerian violence.
Strength
Unknown
Location/Area of operation
Algeria
External Aid
Algerian expatriates, many of whom reside in Western Europe,
probably provide some financial support. In addition, Algiers
accuses Iran and Sudan of supporting Algerian extremists and
severed diplomatic relations with Iran in March 1993.
Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) aka:
The Orly Group, 3rd October Organization
Description
Marxist-Leninist Armenian terrorist group formed in 1975 with
stated intention to compel the Turkish Government to acknowledge
publicly its alleged responsibility for the deaths of 1.5 million
Armenians in 1915, pay reparations, and cede territory for an
Armenian homeland. Led by Hagop Hagopian until he was assassinated
in Athens in April 1988.
Activities
Initial bombing and assassination attacks directed against Turkish
targets. Later attacked French and Swiss targets to force release
of imprisoned comrades. Made several minor bombing attacks against
US airline offices in Western Europe in early 1980S. Bombing of
Turkish airline counter at Orly Airport in Paris in 1983--eight
killed and 55 wounded--led to split in group over rationale for
causing indiscriminate casualties. Suffering from internal
schisms, group has been relatively inactive over past four years,
although recently claimed an unsuccessful attack on Turkish
Ambassador to Hungary.
Strength
A few hundred members and sympathizers.
Location/Area of Operation
Lebanon, Western Europe, Armenia, United States, and Middle East.
External Aid
Has received aid, including training and safehaven, from Syria.
May also receive some aid from Libya. Has extensive ties to
radical Palestinian groups, including the PFLP and PFLP-GC.
Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA)
Description
Founded in 1959 with the aim of creating an independent homeland in
Spain's Basque region. Has muted commitment to Marxism.
Activities
Chiefly bombings and assassinations of Spanish Government targets,
especially security forces. Since arrest of ETA members in France
in March 1992, ETA also has attacked French interests. Finances
activities through kidnappings, robberies, and extortion.
Strength
Unknown; may have hundreds of members, plus supporters.
Location/Area of operations
Operates primarily in the Basque autonomous regions of northern
Spain and southwest France but also has bombed Spanish interests in
Italy and Germany and French interests in Italy.
External Aid
Has received training at various times in Libya, Lebanon, and
Nicaragua. Also appears to have close ties to PIRA.
Chukaku-Ha (Nucleus or Middle Core Faction)
Description
An ultraleftist/radical group with origins in the fragmentation of
the Japanese Communist Party in 1957. Largest domestic militant
group; has political arm plus small, covert action wing called
Kansai Revolutionary Army. Funding derived from membership dues,
sales of its newspapers, and fundraising campaigns.
Activities
Participates in mass street demonstrations and commits sporadic
attacks using crude rockets and incendiary devices usually designed
to cause property damage rather than casualties. Protests Japan's
imperial system, Western "imperialism," and events like the Gulf
war and the expansion of Tokyo's Narita airport. Launched at least
four rockets at the Us army base at Zama, near Tokyo, at the start
of the G-7 Summit in July 1993.
Strength
3,500.
Location/Area of operation
Japan.
External Aid
None known.
CNPZ (see Nestor Paz Zamora commission)
Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)
Description
Marxist group that split from the PFLP in 1969. Believes
Palestinian national goals can be achieved only through revolution
of the masses. Opposes the Declaration of Principles (DOP) signed
in 1993. In early 1980s, occupied political stance midway between
Arafat and the rejectionists. Split into two factions in 1991, one
pro-Arafat and another more hardline faction headed by Nayif
Hawatmah (which has suspended participation in the PLO).
Activities
In the 1970s, carried out numerous small bombings and minor
assaults and some more spectacular operations in Israel and the
occupied territories, concentrating on Israeli targets such as the
1974 massacre in Malalot in which 27 Israelis were killed and more
than 100 wounded. Involved only in border raids since 1988.
Strength
Estimated at 500 (total for both factions).
Location/Area of Operation
Syria, Lebanon, and the Israeli occupied territories; attacks have
taken place entirely in Israel and the occupied territories.
External Aid
Receives financial and military aid from Syria and Libya.
Devrimci Sol (Revolutionary Left)
aka: Dev Sol
Description
Formed in 1978 as a splinter faction of the Turkish People's
Liberation Party/Front. Espouses a Marxist ideology, intensely
xenophobic, and virulently anti-US and anti-NATO; seeks to unify
the proletariat to stage a national revolution. Finances its
activities chiefly through armed robberies and extortion.
Activities
Since late 1980s has concentrated attacks against current and
retired Turkish security and military officials. Began new
campaign against foreign interests in 1990. Protesting Gulf war,
claimed assassination of two US military contractors, attempted
assassination of a US Air Force officer. Launched rockets at US
Consulate in Istanbul in April and July 1992. Terrorist activities
in 1993 were less ambitious as Dev Sol worked to recover from
internal factionalism and police raids that netted several
operatives and large weapons caches.
Strength
Several hundred members, several dozen armed militants.
Location/Area of Operation
Carries out attacks in Turkey--primarily in Istanbul, Ankara,
Izmir, and Adana. Conducts fundraising operations in Western
Europe.
External Aid
Possible training support from radical Palestinians.
ELN (see National Liberation Army)
ETA (see Basque Fatherland and Liberty)
FARC (see Revolutionary Army Forces of Colombia)
FATAH (see Al-Fatah)
15 May Organization
Description
Formed in 1979 from remnants of Wadi Haddad's Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine-Special Operations Group (PFLP-SOG). Led by
Muhammad al-Umari, who is known throughout Palestinian circles as
Abu Ibrahim or the bomb man. Group was never part of PLO.
Reportedly disbanded in the mid-1980s when several key members
joined Colonel Hawari's Special Operations Group of Fatah.
Activities
Claimed responsibility for several bombings in the early-to-middle
1980s, including hotel bombing in London (1980), El Al's Rome and
Istanbul offices (1981), and Israeli Embassies in Athens and Vienna
(1981). Anti-US attacks include an attempted bombing of a Pan Am
airliner in Rio de Janeiro and a bombing on board a Pan Am flight
from Tokyo to Honolulu in August 1982. (The accused bomber in this
last attack, Mohammed Rashid, is currently awaiting trial in the
United States for the bombing, which killed a Japanese teenager.)
Strength
50 to 60 in early 1980s.
Location/Area of Operation
Baghdad until 1984. Before disbanding, operated in Middle East,
Europe, and East Asia. Abu Ibrahim is reportedly in Iraq.
External Aid
Probably received logistic and financial support from Iraq until
1984.
Force 17
Description
Formed in early 1970s as a personal security force for Arafat and
other PLO leaders.
Activities
According to press sources, in 1985 expanded operations to include
terrorist attacks against Israeli targets. No confirmed terrorist
activity outside Israel and the occupied territories since
September 1985, when it claimed responsibility for killing three
Israelis in Cyprus, an incident that was followed by Israeli air
raids on PLO bases in Tunisia.
Strength
Unknown.
Location/Area of Operation
Based in Beirut before 1982. Since then, dispersed in several Arab
countries. Now operating in Lebanon, other Middle Eastern
countries, and Europe.
External Aid
PLO is main source of support.
FPM (see Morazanist Patriotic Front)
FPMR (see Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front)
Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya
(aka: The Islamic Group)
Description
An indigenous Egyptian Islamic extremist group active since the
late 1970s; appears to be loosely organized with no single readily
identifiable operational leader. Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman is the
preeminent spiritual leader. Goal is to overthrow the government
of President Hosni Mubarak and replace it with an Islamic state.
Activities
Armed attacks against Egyptian security and other officials, coptic
Christians, Western tourists, and Egyptian opponents of Islamic
extremism. It assassinated the speaker of the Egyptian assembly in
October 1990 and launched a series of attacks on tourists in Egypt
in 1992. The group wounded the Egyptian Information Minister in an
assassination attempt in April 1993.
Strength
Not known, but probably several thousand hardcore nembers and
another several thousand sympathizers.
Location/Area of Operation
operates mainly in the Al Minya, Asyut, and Qina Governorates of
southern Egypt. It also appears to have support in Cairo,
Alexandria, and other urban locations, particularly among
unemployed graduates and students.
External Aid
Not known. Egyptian Government believes that Iran, Sudan, and
Afghan militant Islamic groups support the group.
HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement)
Description
HAMAS was formed in late 1987 as an outgrowth of the Palestinian
branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and has become Fatah's principal
political rival in the occupied territories. Various elements of
HA-KAS have used both political and violent means, including
terrorism, to pursue the goal of establishing an Islamic
Palestinian state in place of Israel. HAMAS is loosely structured,
with some elements working openly through mosques and social
service institutions to recruit members, raise money, organize
activities, and distribute propaganda. Militant elements of HAMAS,
operating clandestinely, have advocated and used violence to advance
their goals. HAMAS's strength is concentrated in the Gaza Strip
and a few areas of the West Bank. It has also engaged in peaceful
political activity, such as running candidates in West Bank chamber
of commerce elections.
Activities
HAMAS activists--especially those in the Izz al-Din al-Qassam
Forces--have conducted many attacks against Israeli civilian and
military targets, suspected Palestinian collaborators, and Fatah
rivals.
Strength
Unknown number of hardcore members; tens of thousands of supporters
and sympathizers.
Location/Area of Operations
Primarily the occupied territories, Israel, and Jordan.
External Aid
Receives funding from Palestinian expatriates, Iran, and private
benefactors in Saudi Arabia and other moderate Arab states. Some
fundraising and propaganda activity take place in Western Europe
and North America.
Hizballah (Party of God)
aka: Islamic Jihad, Revolutionary Justice Organization,
Organization of the Oppressed on Earth, Islamic Jihad for the
Liberation of Palestine
Description
Radical Shia group formed in Lebanon; dedicated to creation of
Iranian-style Islamic republic in Lebanon and removal of all non-
Islamic influences from area. Strongly anti-West and antiIsrael.
Closely allied with, and often directed by, Iran, but may have
conducted rogue operations that were not approved by Tehran.
Activities
Known or suspected to have been involved in numerous anti-US
terrorist attacks, including the suicide truck-bombing of the US
Embassy and US Marine barracks in Beirut in October 1983 and the US
Embassy annex in Beirut in September 1984. Group also hijacked TWA
847 in 1985. Elements of the group were responsible for the
kidnapping and detention of most, if not all, US and other Western
hostages in Lebanon. Islamic Jihad publicly claimed responsibility
for the carbombing of Israel's Embassy in Buenos Aires in March
1992.
Strength
Several thousand.
Location/Area of Operation
Operates in the Bekaa valley, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and
southern Lebanon: has established cells in Europe, Africa, South
America, North America, and elsewhere.
External Aid
Receives substantial amounts of financial, training, weapons,
explosives, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid from
Iran.
Japanese Red Army (JRA)
aka: Anti-Imperialist International Brigade (AIIB)
Description
An international terrorist group formed around 1970 after breaking
away from gapanese communist League Red Army Faction. Now led by
Fusako Shigenobu, believed to be in Syrian-garrisoned area of
Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. Stated goals are to overthrow Japanese
Government and monarchy and to help foment world revolution.
Organization unclear but may control or at least have ties to Anti-
Imperialist International Brigade (AIIB); may also have links to
Antiwar Democratic Front--an overt leftist political organization--
inside Japan. Details released following November 1987 arrest of
leader Osamu Maruoka indicate that JRA may be organizing cells in
Asian cities, such as Manila and Singapore. Has had close and
longstanding relations with Palestinian terrorist groups--based and
operating outside Japan--since its inception.
Activities
Before 1977, JRA carried out a series of brutal attacks over a wide
geographical area, including the massacre of passengers at Lod
airport in Israel (1972) and two Japanese airliner hijackings (1973
and 1977). Anti-US attacks include attempted takeover of US
Embassy in Kuala Lumpur (1975). Since mid-1960s has carried out
several crude rocket and mortar attacks against a number of US
embassies. In April 1988, JRA operative Yu Kikumura was arrested
with explosives on the New Jersey Turnpike, apparently planning an
attack to coincide with the bombing of a USO club in Naples, a
suspected JRA operation that killed five, including a us
servicewoman. He was convicted of these charges and is serving a
lengthy prison sentence in the United States.
Strength
About 30 hardcore members; undetermined number of sympathizers.
Location/Area of Operation
Based in Syrian-controlled areas of Lebanon; often transits
Damascus.
External Aid
Receives aid, including training and base camp facilities, from
radical Palestinian terrorists, especially the PFLP. May also
receive aid from Libya. Suspected of having sympathizers and
support apparatus in Japan.
Jihad Group
aka: al-Jihad, Islamic Jihad, New iihad Group, Vanguards of
Conquest, Talaa'al-Fateh)
Description
An Egyptian Islamic extremist group active since the late 1970s;
appears to be divided into at least two separate factions:
remnants of the original iihad led by Abbud al-Zumar, currently
imprisoned in Egypt, and a new faction calling itself Vanguards of
Conquest (Talaa'al al-Fateh or the New Jihad Group), which appears
to be led by Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, who is currently outside Egypt,
specific whereabouts unknown. In addition to the Islamic Group,
the Jihad factions regard Shaykh Omar Abdel Rahman as their
spiritual leader. The goal of all Jihad factions is to overthrow
the government of President Hosni Mubarak and replace it with an
Islamic state.
Activities
The Jihad groups specialize in armed attacks against high-level
Egyptian Government officials. The original iihad was responsible
for the 1981 assassination of President Sadat. More recently, the
newer iihad group led by Zawahiri claimed responsibility for the 18
August 1993 bomb attack in Cairo, which wounded Egyptian Interior
Minister Hassan al-Alfi and killed five others, and the 25 November
1993 car-bomb attack in Cairo on Prime Minister Sidqi; although
Sidqi was unhurt, a teenage girl was killed and 18 others were
injured. Unlike the Islamic Group--which mainly targets mid-and
lower-level security personnel, Coptic Christians, and Western
tourists -- the Jihad group appears to concentrate primarily on
high-level, high-profile Egyptian Government officials, including
Cabinet Ministers. It also seems more technically sophisticated in
its attacks than the al-Gama'a al-
Islamiyya--notably in its use of car bombs.
Strength
Not known, but probably several thousand hardcore members and
another several thousand sympathizers among the various factions.
Location/Area of Operation
Operates mainly in the Cairo area. Also appears to have members
outside Egypt, probably in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan.
External Aid
Not known. The Egyptian Government claims that Iran, Sudan, and
militant Islamic groups in Afghanistan support the Jihad factions.
Kurdistan Workers Party
aka: Kurdistan Labor Party (PKK)
Description
Marxist-Leninist insurgent group comprised of Turkish Kurds
established in 1974. In recent years has moved beyond rural-
based insurgent activities to include urban terrorism. Seeks to
set up an independent Marxist state in southeastern Turkey, where
there is a predominantly Kurdish population.
Activities
Primary targets are Turkish Government forces and civilians in
eastern Turkey but becoming increasingly active in Western Europe
against Turkish targets. Conducted coordinated attacks on Turkish
diplomatic and commercial facilities in dozens of Western European
cities on 24 June and 4 November. In May 1993 began a campaign
against Turkish tourism industry and kidnapped 19 Western tourists
traveling in eastern Turkey in summer 1993; released all unharmed.
Also bombed tourist sites and hotels in coastal resort cities.
Strength
Approximately 10,000 to 15,000 full-time guerrillas, 5,000 to 6,000
of whom are in Turkey; 60,000 to 75,000 part-time guerrillas; and
hundreds of thousands of sympathizers in Turkey and Europe.
Location/Area of Operation
Operates in Turkey and Western Europe.
External Aid
Receives safehaven and modest aid from Syria, Iraq, and Iran.
Lautaro Youth Movement (MJL)
aka: The Lautaro faction of the United Popular Action Movement
(MAPU/L) or Lautaro Popular Rebel Forces (FRPL)
Description
Violent, anti-US extremist group that advocates the overthrow of
the Chilean Government. Leadership largely from leftist elements
but includes criminals and alienated youths. Became active in late
1980s, but has been seriously weakened by government
counterterrorist successes in recent years.
Activities
Has been linked to assassinations of policemen, bank robberies, and
attacks on Mormon churches.
Strength
Unknown.
Location/Area of operation
Chile; mainly Santiago.
External Aid
None.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
Other known front organizations: World Tamil Association (WTA),
World Tamil Movement (WTM), the Federation of Associations of
Canadian Tamils (FACT)
Description
Founded in 1976, the LTTE is the most powerful group in Sri Lanka
and uses overt and illegal methods to raise funds, acquire weapons,
and publicize its cause of establishing an independent Tamil state.
The LTTE began its armed conflict with the Sri Lankan government in
1983 and relies on a guerrilla strategy that includes the use of
terrorist tactics.
Activities
The Tigers have integrated a battlefield insurgent strategy with a
terrorist program that targets not only key personnel in the
countryside but also senior Sri Lankan political and military
leaders in Colombo. Political assassinations have become
commonplace and culminated in May 1993 with the fatal bombing of
President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Other key figures assassinated
since 1990 include moderate Tamil leader A. Amirthalingam (1990),
Cabinet Minister Ranjan Wijeratne (1990), former Indian Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi (1991), Army General Denzil Kobbakaduwa
(1992), Navy Chief Vice Admiral Clancy Fernando (1992), and
opposition party leader Lalith Athulathmudali.
Strength
Approximately 10,000 armed combatants in Sri Lanka; about three to
six thousand form a trained cadre of fighters. The LTTE also has a
significant overseas support structure for fundraising, weapons
procurement, and propaganda activities.
Location/Area of Operation
The Tigers control most of the northern and eastern coastal areas
of Sri Lanka but have conducted operations throughout the island.
Headquartered in the Jaffna peninsula, LTTE leader Velupillai
Prabhakaran has established an extensive network of checkpoints and
informants to keep track of any "outsiders" who enter the group's
area of control. The LTTE prefers to attack vulnerable government
facilities, then withdraw before reinforcements arrive.
External aid
The LTTE's overt organizations support Tamil separatism by lobbying
foreign governments and the United Nations. The LTTE also uses its
international contacts to procure weapons, communications, and
bomb-making equipment. The LTTE exploits large Tamil communities
in North America, Europe, and Asia to obtain funds and supplies for
its fighters in Sri Lanka. Information obtained since the mid-
1980s indicates that some Tamil communities in Europe are also
involved in narcotics smuggling. Tamils historically have served
as drug couriers moving narcotics into Europe.
Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front (FPMR)
Description
Original FPMR was founded in 1983 as armed wing of Chilean
Communist Party and named for hero of Chile's war of independence
against Spain. Group splintered into two factions in late 1980s,
one of which became a political party in 1991.
Activities
FPMR/D frequently attacks civilians and international targets,
including US businesses and Mormon churches. In 1993, FPMR/D
bombed two McDonalds' outlets and a Kentucky Fried Chicken
franchise. Successful government counterterrorist operations have
significantly undercut organization.
Strength
Now believed to have fewer than 500 members.
Location/Area of Operation
Chile.
External Aid
None.
The Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK)
aka: The National Liberation Army
of Iran (The military wing of the MEK),
Muslim Iranian Students Society (front organization used to garner
financial support)
Description
Formed in the 1960s by the college-educated children of Iranian
merchants, the MEK sought to counter what is perceived as excessive
Western influence in the Shah's regime. In the 1970s, the MEK --
led by Masud Rajavi after 1978 -- concluded that violence was the
only way to bring about change in Iran. Since then, the MEK --
following a philosophy that mixes Marxism and Islam -- has
developed into the largest and most active armed Iranian dissident
group. Its history is studded with anti-Western activity, and,
most recently, attacks on the interests of the clerical regime in
Iran and abroad.
Activities
The MEK directs a worldwide campaign against the Iranian Government
that stresses propaganda and occasionally uses terrorist violence.
During the 1970s, the MEK staged terrorist attacks inside Iran to
destabilize and embarrass the Shah's regime; the group killed
several U.S. military personnel and civilians working on defense
projects in Tehran. In 1979 the group supported the takeover of
the US Embassy in Tehran. In April 1992, the MEK carried out
nearly simultaneous attacks on Iranian Embassies in 13 different
countries in North America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. The
attacks caused extensive property damage and demonstrated the
group's ability to mount large-scale operations overseas. The
group is responsible for two armed attacks during 1993.
Strength
Several thousand fighters based in Iraq with an extensive overseas
support structure. Most of the fighters are organized in the MEK's
National Liberation Army (NLA).
Location/Area of Operation
In the 1980s, the MEK's leaders were forced by Iranian security
forces to flee to France. Most resettled in Iraq by 1987. Since
the mid-1980s, the MEK has not mounted terrorists operations in
Iran at a level similar to its activities in the 1970s. Aside from
the National Liberation Army's attacks into Iran toward the end of
the Iran-Iraq war, and occasional NLA cross-
border incursions since, the MEK's attacks on Iran have amounted to
little more than harassment. The MEK has had more success in
confronting Iranian representatives overseas through propaganda and
street demonstrations.
External Aid
Beyond support from Iraq, the MEK uses front organizations to
solicit contributions from expatriate Iranian communities.
MJL (see Lautaro Youth Movement)
Morazanist Patriotic Front (FPM)
Description
A radical, leftist terrorist group that first appeared in the late
1980s. Attacks made in protest of US intervention in Honduran
economic and political affairs.
Activities
Attacks on US, mainly military, personnel in Honduras. Claimed
responsibility for attack on a bus in March 1990 that wounded seven
US servicemen. Claimed bombing of Peace Corps office in December
1988, bus bombing that wounded three US servicemen in February
1989, attack on US convoy in April 1989, and grenade attack that
wounded seven US soldiers in La Ceiba in July 1989.
Strength
Unknown, probably relatively small.
Location/Area of Operation
Honduras.
External Aid
Had ties to former Government of Nicaragua and possibly Cuba.
MRTA (see Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement)
National Liberation Army (ELN) - Bolivia includes Nestor Paz
Zamora Commission (CNPZ)
Description
ELN claims to be resuscitation of group established by Che Guevara
in 1960S. Includes numerous small factions of indigenous
subversive groups, including CNPZ, which is largely inactive today.
Activities
ELN and CNPZ have attacked US interests in past years but focused
almost exclusively on Bolivian domestic targets in 1993.
Strength
Unknown; probably fewer than 100.
Location/Area of Operation
Bolivia.
External Aid
None.
National Liberation Army (ELN)--Colombia
Description
Rural-based, anti-US, Maoist-Marxist-Leninist guerrilla group
formed in 1963. Attempted peace talks with the government ended in
May 1992.
Activities
Periodically kidnaps foreign employees of large corporations and
holds them for large ransom payments. Conducts frequent assaults
on oil infrastructure and has inflicted major damage on pipelines
since 1986. Extortion and bombings against US and other foreign
businesses, especially the petroleum industry.
Strength
Has fallen off in recent years and now estimated at only about 700
combatants.
Location/Area of Operation
Colombia.
External Aid
None.
New People's Army (NPA)
Description
The guerrilla arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, an
avowedly Maoist group formed in December 1969 with the aim of
overthrowing the government through protracted guerrilla warfare.
Although primarily a rural-based guerrilla group, the NPA has an
active urban infrastructure to carry out terrorism; uses citybased
assassination squads called sparrow units. Derives most of its
funding from contributions of supporters and so-
called revolutionary taxes extorted from local businesses.
Activities
The NPA is in disarray because of a split in the CPP, a lack of
money, and successful government operations. With US military gone
from the country, NPA has engaged in urban terrorism against the
police, corrupt politicians, drug traffickers, and other targets
that evoked popular anger. Has vowed to kill US citizens involved
in counterinsurgency campaign. Has assassinated 10 US military and
private citizens since 1987. Has also attacked US businesses in
rural areas that refused to pay so-called revolutionary taxes.
Strength
16,000, plus support groups.
Location/Area of Operation
Philippines.
External Aid
Receives funding from overseas fundraisers in Western Europe and
elsewhere; also linked to Libya. Diverts some funding of
humanitarian aid.
Palestine Liberation Front (PLF)
Description
Terrorist group that broke away from the PFLP-GC in mid-1970s.
Later split again into pro-PLO, pro-Syrian, and pro-Libyan
factions. Pro-PLO faction led by Muhammad Abbas (Abu Abbas), who
became member of PLO Executive Committee in 1984 but left the
Executive Committee in 1991.
Activities
Abu Abbas-led faction carried out abortive seaborne attack staged
from Libya against Israel on 30 May 1990. Abbas's group was also
responsible for October 1985 attack on the cruise ship Achille
Lauro and the murder of US citizen Leon Klinghoffer. A warrant for
Abu Abbas's arrest is outstanding in Italy. Others involved in the
hijacking are wanted elsewhere. Openly supported Iraq during Gulf
war.
Strength
At least 50.
Location/Area of Operation
PLO faction based in Tunisia until Achille Lauro attack. Now based
in Iraq.
External Aid
Receives logistic and military support mainly from PLO, but also
Libya and Iraq.
Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
On September 9, 1993, in letters to Israeli Prime Minister Rabin
and Norwegian Foreign Minister Holst, PLO Chairman Arafat committed
the PLO to cease all violence and terrorism. On September 13,
1993, the Declaration of Principles between the Israelis and
Palestinians was signed in Washington, D.C. Bewteen September 9
and December 31, the PLO factions loyal to Arafat complied with
this commitment except for one, perhaps two, instances in which the
responsible individuals apparently acted independently. Two groups
under the PLO unbrella, the Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine (PFLP) and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of
Palestine - Hawatmeh faction (DFLP-H), suspended their
participation in the PLO in protest of the agreement and continued
their campaign of violence. The United States Government continues
to monitor closely PLO compliance with its commitment to abandon
terrorism and violence.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
Description
The PIJ originated among militant Palestinian fundamentalists in
the Gaza Strip during the 1970s. The PIJ is a series of loosely
affiliated factions, rather than a cohesive group. The PIJ is
committed to the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state and the
destruction of Israel through holy war. Because of its strong
support for Israel, the United States has been identified as an
enemy of the PIJ. The PIJ also opposes moderate Arab governments
that it believes have been tainted by Western secularism.
Activities
The PIJ demonstrated its terrorist credentials when it attacked a
tour bus in Egypt in February 1990 and killed 11 people, including
nine Israelis. The PIJ also has carried out crossborder raids
against Israeli targets in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The PIJ
has threatened to attack US interests in Jordan. PIJ agents were
arrested in Egypt in September 1991 while attempting to enter the
country to conduct terrorism.
Strength
Unknown.
Location/Area of operation
Primarily Israel and the occupied territories and other parts of
the Middle East, including Jordan and Lebanon.
External Aid
Uncertain, possibly Iran and Syria.
PKK (see Kurdistan Workers Party)
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
Description
Marxist-Leninist group that is a member of the PLO founded in 1967
by George Habash. After Fatah, is the most important military and
political organization in the Palestinian movement. Advocates a
Pan-Arab revolution. Opposes the Declaration of Principles signed
in 1993 and has suspended participation in the PLO.
Activities
Committed numerous international terrorist attacks between 1970 and
1977. Since the death in 1978 of Wadi Haddad, its terrorist
planner, PFLP has carried out numerous attacks against Israeli or
moderate Arab tarqets.
Strength
800.
Location/Area of Operation
Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and the occupied territories.
External Aid
Receives most of its financial and military assistance from Syria
and Libya.
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command
(PFLP-GC)
Description
Split from the PFLP in 1968, claiming that it wanted to focus more
on fighting and less on politics. Violently opposed to Arafat's
PLO. Led by Ahmed Jabril, a former captain in the Syrian Army.
Closely allied with, supported by, and probably directed by Syria.
Activities
Claims to have specialized in suicide operations. Has carried out
numerous cross-border terrorist attacks into Israel, using unusual
means, such as hot-air balloons and motorized hang gliders. Hafiz
Kassem Dalkamoni, a ranking PFLP-GC official, was convicted in
Germany in June 1991 for bombing US troop trains. He faces
additional charges in Germany for other terrorist offenses,
including manslaughter.
Strength
Several hundred.
Location/Area of Operation
Headquarters in Damascus with bases in Lebanon and cells in Europe.
External Aid
Receives logistic and military support from Syria, its chief
sponsor. Financial support from Libya. Safehaven in Syria .
Support also from Iran.
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-Special Command
(PFLP-SC)
Description
Marxist-Leninist group formed by Abu Salim in 1979 after breaking
away from the now defunct PFLP-Special Operations Group.
Activities
Has claimed responsibility for several notorious international
terrorist attacks in Western Europe, including the bombing of a
restaurant frequented by US servicemen in Torrejon, Spain, in April
1985. Eighteen Spanish civilians were killed in the attack.
Strength
50.
Location/Area of Operation
Operates out of southern Lebanon, in various areas of the Middle
East, and in Western Europe.
External Aid
Probably receives financial and military support from Syria, Libya,
and Iraq.
Popular Struggle Front (PSF)
Description
Radical Palestinian terrorist group once closely involved in the
Syrian-
dominated Palestinian National Salvation Front. Led by Dr. Samir
Ghosheh. Rejoined the PLO in September 1991. Group is internally
divided over the Declaration of Principles signed in 1993.
Activities
Terrorist attacks against Israeli, moderate Arab, and PLO targets.
Strength
Fewer than 300.
Location/Area of Operation
Mainly Syria and Lebanon, and elsewhere in the Middle East.
External Aid
Receives support from Syria and may now receive aid from the PLO.
Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA)
aka: The Provos
Description
A radical terrorist group formed in 1969 as the clandestine armed
wing of Sinn Fein, a legal political movement dedicated to removing
British forces from Northern Ireland and unifying Ireland. Has a
Marxist orientation. Organized into small, tightly knit cells
under the leadership of the Army Council.
Activities
Bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, extortion, and robberies.
Targets senior British Government officials, British military and
police in Northern Ireland, and Northern Irish Loyalist
paramilitary groups. PIRA's operations on mainland Britain in 1993
included a large truck bombing in London's financial district and a
major bombing campaign against train and subway stations and
shopping areas.
Strength
Several hundred, plus several thousand sympathizers.
Location/Area of Operation
Northern Ireland, Irish Republic, Great Britain, and Western
Europe.
External Aid
Has received aid from a variety of groups and countries and
considerable training and arms from Libya and, at one time, the
PLO. Also is suspected of receiving funds and arms from
sympathizers in the United States. Similarities in operations
suggest links with ETA.
Puka Inti (Sol Rojo, Red Sun)
Description
Small but violent subversive group probably formed from dissident
members of AVC guerrilla organization, which made peace with the
Ecuadoran Government in 1989. Believed to be anti-US.
Activities
Series of bombings of government buildings have been attributed to
Puka Inti, but group appears to lack resources to expand much
beyond current strength.
Strength
Very small, perhaps fewer than 50.
External Aid
None.
Red Army Faction (RAF)
Description
The small and disciplined RAF is the successor to the Baader-
Meinhof Gang, which originated in the student protest movement in
the 1960s. Ideology is an obscure mix of Marxism and Maoism;
committed to armed struggle. organized into hardcore cadres that
carry out terrorist attacks and a network of supporters who provide
logistic and propaganda support. Has survived despite numerous
arrests of top leaders over the years.
Activities
Bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and robberies. With decline
of world communism, has had trouble recruiting replacements for
jailed members. Now concentrating on domestic targets,
particularly officials involved in German or European unification
and German security and justice officials. Carried out one
operation in 1993, destroying a new prison with 600 pounds of
commercial explosives. Police shootout with two members ended in
death of GSG-9 officer and group member Wolfgang Grams. Group
temporarily gaivanized afterward. RAF has targeted US and NATO
facilities in the past. During Gulf war, RAF shot up US Embassy in
Bonn with assault rifle rounds. There were no casualties, however.
Strength
Ten to 20, plus several hundred supporters.
Location/Area of Operations
Germany.
External Aid
Self-sustaining, but during Baader-Meinhof period received support
from Middle Eastern terrorists. East Germany gave logistic
support, sanctuary, and training during the 1980s.
Red Brigades (BR)
Description
Formed in 1969, the Marxist-Leninist BR seeks to create a
revolutionary state through armed struggle and to separate Italy
from the Western Alliance. In 1984 split into two factions: the
Communist Combatant Party (BR-PCC) and the Union of Combatant
Communists (BR-UCC).
Activities
Original group concentrated on assassination and kidnapping of
Italian Government and private-sector targets; it murdered former
Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978, kidnapped US Army BGen. James
Dozier in 1981, and claimed responsibility for murdering Leamon
Hunt, US chief of the Sinai Multinational Force and Observer Group,
in 1984. The group had been largely inactive since Italian and
French authorities arrested many of its members in 1989.
Strength
Probably fewer than 50, plus an unknown number of supporters.
Location/Area of Operation
Based and operates in Italy. Some members probably living
clandestinely in other European countries.
External Aid
Currently unknown; original group apparently was self-sustaining
but probably received weapons from other Western European terrorist
groups and from the PLO.
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
Description
Established in 1966 as military wing of Colombian Communist Party.
Goal is to overthrow government and ruling class. Organized along
military lines; includes at least one urban front.
Activities
Armed attacks against Colombian political and military targets.
Many members have become criminals, carrying out kidnappings for
profit and bank robberies. Foreign citizens often are targets of
FARC kidnappings. Group traffics in drugs and has welldocumented
ties to narcotraffickers.
Strength
Approximately 4,500 to 5,500 armed combatants and an unknown number
of supporters, mostly in rural areas.
Location/Area of Operation
Colombia.
External Aid
None.
Revolutionary Organization 17 November (17 November)
Description
A radical leftist group established in 1975 and named for the
November 1973 student uprising protesting the military regime.
Anti-US, anti-Turkish, anti-NATO; committed to violent overthrow of
the regime, ouster of US bases, removal of Turkish military
presence from Cyprus, and severing of Greece's ties to NATO and the
EC. Organization is obscure, possibly affiliated with other Greek
terrorist groups.
Activities
Initial attacks were selected handgun assassinations against senior
US officials, including US Embassy official Richard Welch in 1975
and US Navy Capt. George Tsantes in 1983. Began assassinating
Greek officials and public figures in 1976 and added bombings,
including attacks against US military buses in 1987 and
assassination of US defense attache William Nordeen in 1988. Since
1990 has expanded targeting to include EC facilities and foreign
firms investing in Greece and added improvised rocket attacks to
its methods. Such an attack against the Greek Finance Minister in
1992 killed a passerby, 17 November's first "civilian" casualty.
In 1991 was responsible for at least five of the 15 terrorist
attacks against Coalition targets in Greece during the Gulf war,
including the assassination in March of a US Army sergeant. Also
stepped up attacks against Turkish interests with attempted murder
of Turkish Embassy official in July 1991, and assassination of
Turkish Embassy press attache in October 1991.
Strength
Unknown, but presumed to be small.
Location/Area of operation Greece, primarily in Athens
metropolitan area.
External Aid
May receive support from other Greek terrorist group cadres.
Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path, SL)
Description
Larger of Peru's two insurgencies, SL is among world's most
ruthless guerrilla organizations. Formed in late 1960s by then
university professor Abimael Guzman. Stated goal is to destroy
existing Peruvian institutions and replace them with peasant
revolutionary regime. Also wants to rid Peru of foreign
influences. Guzman's capture in September 1992 was major blow, as
were arrests of other SL leaders, defections, and President
Fujimorils amnesty program for repentant terrorists.
Activities
SL engages in particularly brutal forms of terrorism, including the
indiscriminate use of car bombs. Almost every institution in Peru
has been a target of SL violence. Has bombed diplomatic missions
of several countries represented in Peru. Carries out bombing
campaigns and selective assassinations. Involved in cocaine trade.
Strength
Approximately 1,500 to 2,500 armed militants; larger number of
supporters, mostly in rural areas.
Location/Area of Operation
Originally rural based, but has increasingly focused its terrorist
attacks in the capital.
External Aid
None.
17 November (see Revolutionary Organization 17 November)
Sikh Terrorism
Description
Sikh terrorism is sponsored by expatriate and Indian Sikh groups
who want to carve out an independent Sikh state called Khalistan
(Land of the Pure) from Indian territory. Sikh violence outside
India, which surged following the Indian Army's 1984 assault on the
Golden Temple, Sikhism's holiest shrine, has decreased
significantly since mid-1992, although Sikh militant cells are
active internationally and extremists gather funds from overseas
Sikh communities. Active groups include Babbar Khalsa, Azad
Khalistan Babbar Khalsa Force, Khalistan Liberation Front,
Khalistan Commando Force, and Khalistan National Army. Many of
these groups operate under umbrella organizations, the most
significant of which is the Second Panthic committee.
Activities
Sikh attacks in India are mounted against Indian officials and
facilities, other Sikhs, and Hindus; they include assassinations,
bombings, and kidnappings. Sikh extremists probably bombed the Air
India jet downed over the Irish Sea in June 1985, killing 329
passengers and crew. On the same day, a bomb planted by Sikhs on
an Air India flight from Vancouver exploded in Tokyo's Narita
Airport, killing two Japanese baggage handlers. In 1991, Sikh
terrorists attempted to assassinate the Indian Ambassador in
Romania--
once India's senior police officer in Punjab from 1986 to 1989--and
kidnapped and held the Romanian charge in New Delhi for seven weeks.
In January 1993, Indian police arrested Sikhs in New Delhi as they
were conspiring to detonate a bomb to disrupt India's Republic Day,
and, in September 1993, Sikh militants attempted to assassinate the
Sikh chief of the ruling Congress Party's youth wing with a bomb.
Sikh attacks in India, ranging from kidnappings and assassinations
to remote-controlled bombings, have dropped markedly since mid-1992
as Indian security forces have killed or captured a host of senior
Sikh militant leaders. Total civilian deaths in Punjab have
declined more than 95 percent since more than 3,300 civilians died
in 1991. The drop results largely from Indian Army, paramilitary,
and police successes against extremist groups.
Strength
Unknown.
Location/Area of Operation
Northern India, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America.
External Aid
Sikh expatriates have formed a variety of international
organizations that lobby for the Sikh cause overseas. Most
prominent are the World Sikh Organization and the International
Sikh Youth Federation.
Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA)
Description
Traditional Marxist-Leninist revolutionary movement formed in 1983.
Currently struggling to remain viable. Has suffered from defections
and government counterterrorist successes in addition to infighting
and loss of leftist support. objective remains to rid Peru of
"imperialism" and establish Marxist regime.
Activities
Bombings, kidnappings, ambushes, assassinations. Previously
responsible for large number of anti-US attacks; recent activity
has dropped off dramatically.
Strength
Unknown; greatly diminished in past year.
Location/Area of Operation
Peru; provided assistance in Bolivia to Bolivian ELN.
External Aid
None.
Tupac Katari Guerrilla Army (EGTK)
Description
Indigenous, anti-Western Bolivian subversive organization.
Activities
Frequently attacks small, unprotected targets, such as power
pylons, oil pipelines, and government offices. Has targeted Mormon
churches with fire-
bombings and attacked USAID motorpool in January 1993.
Strength
Fewer than 100
Location/Area of Operation
Bolivia, primarily the Chapare region, near the Peruvian border,
and the Altiplano.
External Aid
None.
(###)
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Appendixes C-Statistical Review, and D-Map of
International Terrorist Incidents, 1993 are not available in ASCII
format.]
END OF PATTERNS OF GLOBAL TERRORISM: 1993
To the top of this page