America's pre-eminent role in the world guarantees that this will continue to be the case, and the threat of attacks creating massive casualties is growing. Terrorists attack American targets more often than those of any other country.
An astute American foreign policy must take into account the reasons people turn to terror and, where appropriate and feasible, address them. Others become terrorists because of perceived oppression or economic deprivation. Many terrorists act from political, ideological, or religious convictions. People turn to terrorism for various reasons.
Terrorists represent only a minuscule faction of any such group. Terrorists often claim to acton behalf of ethnic groups, religions, or even entire nations.These claims are false. Combating terrorism should not be used as a pretext for discrimination against any segment of society.leaders must find the appropriate balance by adopting counterterrorism policies which are effective but also respect the democratic traditions which are the bedrock of America's strength. Some terrorists hope to provoke a response that undermines our Constitutional system of government. Terrorist attacks against America threaten more than the tragic loss of individual lives.The imperative to find terrorists and prevent their attacks requires energetic use of all the legal authorities and instruments available.Throughout our deliberations, we were mindful of several important points: However, through a process of careful deliberation, we reached the consensus reflected in this report. If any one commissioner had written the report on his or her own, it might not be identical to that which we are presenting today. We wish to note, however, that in the course of our assessment we gained renewed confidence in the abilities and dedication of the Americans who stand on the front lines in the fight against terrorism.Įach of the 10 commissioners approached these issues from a different perspective. Thus, this report does not attempt to describe all American counterterrorism activities, but instead concentrates on problem areas and recommended changes. After a thorough review, the Commission concluded that, although American strategies and policies are basically on the right track, significant aspects of implementation are seriously deficient. Six months ago, the National Commission on Terrorism began its Congressionally mandated evaluation of America's laws, policies, and practices for preventing and punishing terrorism directed at American citizens. Whether at Pearl Harbor or at the Berlin Wall, surprise is everything involved in a government's (or in an alliance's) failure to anticipate effectively.įorward to Pearl Harbor Warning and Decision, This is why surprise, when it happens to a government, cannot be described just in terms of startled people. The failure, however, was cumulative, widespread, and rather drearily familiar. The results, at Pearl Harbor, were sudden, concentrated, and dramatic. (Unlike movies, real life provides no musical background to tip us off to the climax.) Finally, as at Pearl Harbor, surprise may include some measure of genuine novelty introduced by the enemy, and possibly some sheer bad luck. It includes, in addition, the inability of individual human beings to rise to the occasion until they are sure it is the occasion- which is usually too late. It includes straightforward procrastination, but also decisions protracted by internal disagreement. It includes the contingencies that occur to no one, but also those that everyone assumes somebody else is taking care of. It includes the unalert watchman, but also the one who knows he'll be chewed out by his superior if he gets higher authority out of bed. It includes the alarm that fails to work, but also the alarm that has gone off so often it has been disconnected. Intelligence, but also intelligence that, like a string of pearls too precious to wear, is too sensitive to give to those who need it. It includes neglect of responsibility but also responsibility so poorly defined or so ambiguously delegated that action gets lost. Surprise, when it happens to a government, is likely to be a complicated, diffuse, bureaucratic thing. Pursuant to Public Law 277, 105th Congress TERRORISM Report of the National Commission on Terrorism
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