26 April 1997
Source: http://www.usia.gov/
Unites States Information Agency
17 April 1997
(Domestic terrorism shifts to the right) (1740) Washington -- The threat of domestic terrorism in the United States has shifted from leftist-oriented extremists to increased activities by extremists associated with right wing groups and special interest organizations, according a report of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.). In its recently released report on "Terrorism in the United States -- 1995," the F.B.I. says that supporters of formalized terrorist groups continue to view the United States as an attractive refuge and staging area. Also, it said that extremists with loose affiliations to organizations continue to view the United States as both a staging area and target. The report notes that terrorists studying the attack against the World Trade Center and the Oklahoma City bombing "could prompt future terrorists to plan their attacks with greater care." "Terrorism in the United States continued a general trend in which fewer attacks are occurring in the United States, but individual attacks are becoming more deadly," the F.B.I. report said. Following are excerpts of the report discussing the current threat and current trends in domestic terrorism. (Begin Excerpts) CURRENT THREAT -- Domestic Terrorism The face of domestic terrorism in the United States continued to change in 1995. The FBI identified a further decline in traditional left wing domestic extremism, and an increase in activities among extremists associated with right wing groups and special interest organizations. Left Wing Terrorism Over the last three decades, leftist-oriented extremist groups posed the predominant domestic terrorist threat in the United States. In the 1980s, the FBI neutralized many of these groups by arresting key members who were conducting criminal activity. The transformation of the former Soviet Union also deprived many leftist groups of a coherent ideology or spiritual patron. As a result, membership and support for these groups waned. The United States still faces a threat from some leftist extremists, including Puerto Rican terrorist groups. Although Puerto Rico voted to remain within the U.S. Commonwealth in 1993, some extremists are still willing to plan and conduct terrorist acts in order to draw attention to their desire for independence. Right Wing Terrorism On the other side of the political spectrum, right wing extremist groups -- which generally adhere to an anti-government or racist ideology -- continued to attract supporters last year. Many of these recruits feel displaced by rapid changes in the U.S. culture and economy, or are seeking some form of personal affirmation. As American society continues to change, the potential for hate crimes by extremist right wing groups is an increasing concern. The militia movement in the United States also continued to attract supporters. Several factors have contributed to the increase of this generally anti-government effort. The changing political environment, issues such as gun-control legislation, United Nations involvement in international affairs, and clashes between dissidents and law enforcement are cornerstones of militia ideology. One product of the militia movement is common law courts. These courts -- which have no legitimate legal authority -- consist of self-appointed judges and juries who sometimes issue fraudulent indictments and warrants. Some militia members believe that the U.S. Government is part of a conspiracy to create a "new world order." According to adherents, in this new order existing international boundaries will be dissolved and the world will be ruled by the United Nations. Other militia supporters believe that the federal government is either too powerful or simply illegal. Last year, some of these militants continued to conduct paramilitary training and stockpile illegal weapons in preparation for unlawful armed action. A few of these more extreme militia members pose a potential terrorist threat. Special Interest Extremists Special interest extremists continued to conduct acts of politically-oriented crime last year. Violent anti-abortion advocates were responsible for almost all of these activities. Due to the efforts of the Department of Justice's Task Force on Violence Against Abortion Providers (TFVAAP), the number of abortion-related crimes decreased from 1994 levels. Although the number of incidents declined, the TFVAAP still investigated more than 100 violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act in 1995. Two of the most prominent abortion-related events in 1995 included the following: -- On February 22, 1995, Dr. Elizabeth Karlin, a physician in Madison, Wisconsin, received two death threat letters. Vincent Whitaker -- an inmate at a local county jail who was serving a 67-year sentence for reckless injury with a motor vehicle -- later admitted writing the letters. On September 12, 1995, Whitaker was tried and convicted of two counts of the FACE Act and sending threats through the U.S. Mail. On November 21, 1995, Whitaker was sentenced to an additional 63 months imprisonment. -- In August 1995, John Salvi -- the suspected murderer of two receptionists during a December 30, 1994, shooting spree at an abortion clinic in Brookline, Massachusetts -- was declared competent to stand trial. Salvi is charged under Massachusetts law with the murders of Shannon Lowney and Lee Ann Nichols, and five other counts of aggravated assault. The Civil Rights Division of the Department of justice, through the TFVAAP, investigates any instance in which customers or providers of reproductive health services are criminally threatened, obstructed, or injured while seeking or providing services. International Terrorism Foreign terrorists viewed the United States as a priority target last year. Foreign terrorists and their supporters continued to live in and travel throughout this country. State Sponsors of Terrorism The recognized state sponsors of international terrorism -- Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Cuba, and North Korea -- continue to maintain diplomatic establishments here. In the past, the FBI has investigated allegations that diplomats from some of these countries were involved in terrorist-related activities. During the 1995 seditious conspiracy trial in New York of Egyptian Shaykh Omar Abdel Rahman and several followers, one Sudanese national testified that Sudanese diplomats were aware of the conspiracy to bomb major landmarks in New York City. One Sudanese diplomat allegedly offered to help the conspirators place a bomb at the United Nations by providing diplomatic license plates. The U.S. Department of State, in coordination with the FBI, declared a diplomat at the Sudanese Mission to the United Nations persona non grata in 1996. Formal Terrorist Groups Supporters of formalized terrorist groups -- such as the Egyptian Al-Gama'at Al-Islamiyya, HAMAS, and Hizballah -- also continued to view the United States as an attractive refuge and staging area. Some supporters in the United States are believed to be conducting criminal activity -- to include military-style training -- in support of terrorist groups' objectives. With the conviction of Shaykh Omar Abdel Rahman -- the spiritual leader of the militant Egyptian Islamic Group -- and the detention of HAMAS leader Musa Abu Marzook, it is possible that members of formal terrorist groups may be considering some form of retaliation. Loosely-Affiliated Extremists Finally, loosely-affiliated extremists continued to view the United States as both a staging area and a target. Some of these unilateral radicals -- who adhere to the worst excesses of hatred spawned by a variety of international conflicts -- have demonstrated the ability to use advanced technology in the United States, travel undetected here, and circumvent the letter and spirit of U.S. laws. These militants represent the most difficult international terrorist challenge to the law enforcement and intelligence communities. CURRENT TRENDS IN THE UNITED STATES Terrorists Are Improving Over the past year, terrorist supporters in the United States continued a trend toward improving their ability to collect information, raise money, and issue rhetoric. Advanced technology allowed some extremists to communicate efficiently and securely. Supporters of terrorist groups also continued to send and receive information from like-minded zealots overseas. Public computer databases are becoming ubiquitous in the United States. Some of these networks are repositories for inflammatory rhetoric which can influence or inflame extremists. Other databases contain recipes for bombs, hold information on unconventional weapons, or offer computer viruses for download. Terrorists may also have learned from past violence in the United States, particularly the examples set by the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City bombings. Studying the attacks -- including the resulting damage, media coverage, and investigative techniques used to apprehend suspects -- could prompt future terrorists to plan their attacks with greater care. Bombs Are Deadlier Terrorists in the United States continued a general trend in which fewer attacks are occurring in the United States, but individual attacks are becoming more deadly. The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing was one of the largest explosions ever investigated by the FBI. That single bombing killed more Americans in the United States than any terrorist attack in the modem era. Recipes for large explosives are available for any extremist willing to research them. It is likely that the United States will continue to face the threat of "spectacular terrorism" for the foreseeable future. Unconventional Weapons Extremists in the United States continued a chilling trend by demonstrating interest in -- and experimentation with -- unconventional weapons. Over the past ten years, a pattern of interest in biological agents by criminals and extremists has developed: -- In 1984, two members of the Rajneesh religious sect in Oregon produced and dispensed salmonella in restaurants in order to affect the outcome of a local election. Seven hundred and fifteen persons were affected. There were no fatalities. -- In April 1991, several members of a domestic extremist group called the Patriot's Council in Minnesota manufactured the biological agent ricin from castor beans and discussed using it against federal law enforcement officers. The amount of ricin produced could have killed over 100 people if effectively delivered. -- In May 1995, a U.S. person illegally obtained three vials of bubonic plague from a firm in Maryland. He was arrested and charged with fraud. It is still unclear why he ordered the vials. These events indicate that terrorists and other criminals may consider using unconventional weapons in an attack here sometime in the future. Terrorist Reprisals Finally, in 1995, numerous foreign and domestic terrorists were either apprehended or sentenced to prison. Several known terrorist groups have publicly threatened to retaliate. Other groups may be considering revenge, but have not broadcast their intent. America and Americans have also been a favorite choice of target for terrorists. Reprisals for U.S. legal action against domestic and international terrorists increase the likelihood that Americans will be the target of terrorist attacks either in the United States and overseas. (End Excerpts)