THE NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR COMBATTING TERRORISM

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06789930
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: October 29, 2024
• Document Release Date: August 22, 2024
• Case Number: F-2014-01553
• Publication Date: January 20, 1986

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THE WHITE HOUSE
WAS
TOP SECRET
Nationat Secunity
Decaion Diftective Numbet 207
January 20, 1986
SYSTEM II
90001
THE NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR COMBATTING TERRORISM .(U) ,,4v.:
The Vice President's Task Force on Combatting Terrorism has
completed an in-depth review of our current policies, capabilities,
the terrorist threat. I have
and resources for dealing with
i; ..
.reviewed the Task Force Report and accompanying recommendations
and concluded that our strategy is sound. I have determined that
i ;we must enhance our ability to confront this threat and to do so
' without compromising our basic democratic and human values. (U)
: ,
� i
.Terrorists undertake criminal acts that involve the use or threat
'of violence against innocent persons. These acts are premeditated,
lintended to achieve a political objective through coercion or
: ;intimidation of an audience beyond the immediate victims. U.S.
' Icitizens.ancl,installations, especially abroad, are increasingly
' :being targeted for terrorist acts. Our policy, programs and
.responses must be effective in ameliorating this threat to our
I ;people, property and interests. (U)
!Policy
1
U.S. policy on terrorism is unequivocal: firm opposition to
,
.terrorism in all its forms whether it is domestic terrotism
perpetrated within U.S. territory, or international terrorism
�conducted inside or outside U.S. territory,by foreign nationals
.or groups. The policy is based upon the conviction that to
: ;accede to terrorist demands places more American citizens at -
1i
. 3risk. This no-concessions policy is the best way of protecting
Ithe greatest number of people and ensuring their safety. At the
same time, every available resource will be used to gain the safe
return of American citizens who are held hostage by terrorists.
(U)
, The U.S. Government considers the practice of terrorism by any&
person or group a potential threat to our national security and
will resist the use of terrorism by all legal means available.
IThe United States is opposed to domestic and international
terrorism and is prepared to act in concert with other nations or
unilaterally when necessary to prevent or respond to terrorist
;acts. (U)
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;States that practice terrorism or actively support it, will not
!be allowed to do so without consequence. Whenever we have
Jevidence that a state is mounting or intends to conduct an act of
. 'terrorism against us, we have a responsibility to take measures
;to protect our citizens, property, and interests. The USG will
ipay no ransoms, nor permit releases of prisoners or agree to
!Other conditions that could serve to encourage additional
!Hterrorism. We will make no changes in our policy because og.4...
!I 'terrorist threats or acts. The United States is determined to
II act against terrorists without surrendering basic freedoms or
II endangering democratic principles. We oppose asylum, sanctuary,
or safehaven for terrorists and will Make every legal effort to
�:extradite and prosecute terrorists. The USG encourages other
igovernments to take similar strong stands against terrorism. (U)
! The National Program
The national program to combat terrorism is designed to provide
'Coordinated action before, during, and after terrorist incidents.
Our program includes measures to deter, resolve and, when
necessary, respond proportionately to terrorist attacks. The
:implementation of this strategy requires an organization compat-
ible with the overall structure of. the U.S. Government, and
.relies on the authorities and responsibilities of the various
departments and agencies. (U)
The coordination of the Federal response to terrorist incidents
will normally be the responsibility of the Lead Agency. The Lead
Agency will be that agency with the most direct operational role
in and responsibility for dealing with the particular terrorist
iiincident at hand. The Lead Agency will coordinate all Opera-
itional aspects of the incident, including press and intelligence.
' The Lead Agency will normally be designated as follows:
,
, The Department of State for international terrorist inci-
. I , dents that take place outside of U.S. territory. (U)
, 1
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The Department, of Justice for terrorist incidents 'that take
place within U.S. territory. Unless otherwise specified by
the Attorney General, the FBI will be the Lead Agency within
the Department of Justice for operational response to such
incidents. (U) �
I
The FAA for aircraft hijackings within the special juris-
diction of the United States. (U)
HThe Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs will
qiresolve any uncertainity on the designation of the Lead Agency or
:!licT agency responsibilities. (U)
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The entire range of diplomatic, economic, legal, military, para-
military, covert action, and informational assets at our disposal
imust be brought to bear against terrorism. To ensure that these
!measures are fully integrated and mutually supportive, the
. following interagency groups will assist the Lead Agencies in the
coordination of our national program to combat terrorism. (C)
1 1. The Terrorist Incident Working Group (TIWG). To support the
1,
, Special Situation Group (SSG -- see NSDD-3 and NSDD-30).k.
during a terrorist incident, a Terrorist Incident Wdrking
Group has been established. This group consists of
representatives from State, Treasury, DOD, Justice, CIA,
1:
-; JCS, FBI, the Office of the Vice President, and the NSC
staff, with augmentation from other agencies as required.
The TIWG will be activated by the Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs or at the request of any of
the members. The NSC staff will provide a senior
representative to chair the TIWG, and a staff member to
serve as the Executive Director of the TIWG and chair the
Operations Sub-Group (OSG) of the TIWG to review ongoing
non-crisis operations/activities. The TIWG will normally
remain. convened for the duration of a terrorist incident.
The Ambassador-at-Large for Counter-Terrorism will serve as
the Vice Chairman of the TIWG. (S)
2. The Interdepartmental Group on Terrorism (IG/T). The
Interdepartmental Group on Terrorism, chaired by the
Ambassador-at-Large for Counter-Terrorism, is responsible
for the development of overall U.S. policy on terrorism,
including, inter alia, policy directives, organizational
issues, legislative initiatives, interagency training
activities, coordinated.budget/programs, and policy directi
of the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program. Membership will
include all departments and agencies supporting the nation
program to combat terrorism. Vice Chairmen of the IG/T wi
be the Department of Justice and the Executive Director of
the TIWG. . (C) �
3. The Interagency Intelligence Committee on Terrorism (IICT)
The Interagency Intelligence Committee on Terrorism, chait
by the National Intelligence Officer for Counter-Terrorist
and Narcotics (NIO/CT-NARC), provides intelligence suppor
to the SSG and the TIWG. It focuses and coordinates
interagency intelligence efforts to counter international
terrorist threats. In anticipation of terrorist incident
the Committee will concentrate on threat alerts, trend
assessments, and required procedural improvements, such
more rapid dissemination of critical information. (S)
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'Actions
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1,The Vice President's Task Force affirmed our fundamental approach
,for dealing with terrorism, however they made numerous recommen-
dations to further improve our capabilities. Accordingly, I have
1 reached the following decisions:
.
!
1. The recommendations of the Vice President's Task Force on
Combatting Terrorism are to be fully and consistently
implemented as follows: � ��.e.,.
;
A A. .For Immediate Implementation
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(1) The Secretary of State shall:
Submit to the NSC a policy framework prepared by the
IG/T for making decisions on the use of force in
response to international terrorist threats or attacks.
(Task Force Recommendation No. 5) (U)
Expand State Department's outreach program to hostage
families. (Task Force Recommendation No. 12) (U)
i
Continue efforts to enlist international cooperation in
combatting terrorism through both bilateral and multi-
lateral agreements. Particular emphasis should be
given to concluding agreements for more effective
measures for apprehending, extraditing and prosecuting
known terrorists. (Task Force Recommendations No. 17
and 18) (U)
Continue a dialogue with media representatives to
obtain support for denying terrorists the visibility
they seek. (Task Force Recommendation No. 29) (U)
Monitor abuses of diplomatic immunities in support of
terrorists for possible sanctions against violators Of
the Vienna Convention. (Task Force Recommendation
No. 32) (U)
Provide, in conjunction with the Department of Justice,
more extensive publicity regarding the terrorist reward
program in order to more effectively integrate it into
the overall counterterrorism (CT) effort. (Task Force
Recommendation No. 34) (U)
Through the IG/T and with the concurrence of the DCI,
provide policy guidance for terrorism intelligence
exchanges with foreign governments. (Task Force
Recommendation No. 22) (Si
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(2) The Attorney General shall:
Prepare and encourage enactment of legislation that
makes the murder of U.S. citizens abroad a Federal
crime. (Task Force Recommendation No. 35) (U)
Pursue enactment of legislation that permits the death
penalty for the murder of U.S. citizens during a 1
hostage-taking. (Task Force Recommendation No. w4
(y)
Pursue enactment of legislation establishing a Joint
Committee on Intelligence (the Hyde proposal). (Task
Force Recommendation No. 37) (U)
Pursue enactment of legislation permitting deportation
of aliens from the United States who are suspected of
engaging in support for or conspiracy to conduct
terrorism. (Task Force Recommendation No. 40) (C)
Expedite deportation proceedings against Libyan,
Iranian, and PLO activists who have violated their visa
status. (Task. Force Recommendation No. 40) (C)
(3) The Secretary of Defense shall:
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Review, in conjunction with the State Department and
NSC, current criteria and procedures for deploying and
employing U.S. military CT forces. Consideration
should be given to political and legal questions
involved and to forward deployment or prepositioning of
CT elements in or near areas of most likely employment.
(Task Force Recommendation No. 7 and Proposed
Recommendation No. 1) (S)
(4) The Director of Central Intelligence shall:
- -
In conjunction with the Department of State,.expand
terrorism intelligence exchanges with foreign
governments. (Task Force Recommendation No. 22) (U)
Establish an all-source intelligence fusion iiEor
international terrorism. (Task Force Recorctmen atiol
No. 23) (S)
Establish a clandestine service capability for preventinc
pre-empting and/or disrupting international terrorist
activity. (Task Force Recommendation No. 43) (TS)
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.1 1 (5) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
,i ; ; shall:
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i I ! -- Establish and maintain in conjunction with the
Departments of State and Justice and the NSC, a -
national programming document that depicts resources
I I dedicated to combatting terrorism. (Task Force
; � , Recommendation No. 1) (U)
;
(6) The Assistant to the President for National Security
,� 1 ; Affairs shall:
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, -- Establish a full-time position on the NSC with a small
.1i ! staff dedicated to the national program. Ensure that
the Operations Sub-Group (OSG) of the TIWG conducts
� periodic reviews of CT activities and those operations
requiring interagency coordination. (Task Force
Recommendation No. 3) (S)
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Provide coordinated ,public affairs/Congressional
guidance to all departments/agencies involved in
resolving a terrorist incident. (Task Force
Recommendation No. 4) (C)
�� �
. Maintain a current list of options for responding to
terrorist activity. (Task Force Recommendation No. 6)
(S)
Increase coordination and oversight of research and
development (R&D) related to terrorism: (Task Force
1 Recommendation No. 14) (S)
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Ensure senior government participation in NSC-
coordinated terrorist incident simulations and
exercises. (Task Force Recommendation No. 15) (C)
B. For Implementation by May 1, 1986
(1) The Secretary of State shall:
Lead a review of all USG official personnel requireme,
overseas in high-threat areas and submit recommendati!
to the Assistant to the President for National Securi
Affairs. (Task Force Recommendation No. 9) (U)
Review government-wide policies on travel documentati
for U.S. employees and promulgate consistent guidelir
throughout the Government. (Task Force Recommendatic
No. 10) � (U)
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Provide coordinated interagency briefings on U.S.
policies, resources, and capabilities committed to
combatting terrorism for all senior U.S. officials
stationed overseas. (Task Force Recommendation NO. 16)
(U)
Pursue bilateral arrangements for terrorism-related R&D
exchanges. (Task Force Recommendation No. 19). po.s.
In conjunction with the Departments of Justice and
Treasury, improve computerized systems for monitoring
cross-border travel and visa control of known or
suspected terrorists. (Task Force Recommendation No.
20) (C) 4-
Develop along-range strategy to improve public under-
standing of international terrorism and the policies
required to combat it. (Task Force Recommendation
No. 28) (U)
Under the auspices of the IG/T, review and submit
proposals for:-
06 �
New NSC Policy, Planning, and Operations
Coordinating Boards. (Task Force Proposed
Recommendation No. 2) (S)
IND
A private sector data base. (Task Force Proposed
Recommendation No. 4) (C)
� Devise an interagency coordinated plan to expand the
� current Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program, consistent
with the President'.s budget, for aiding friendly
governments in their efforts to Combat terrorism.
(Task Force Proposed Recommendation No. 5). (C)
(2) The Attorney General shall: .
Stimulate'private and academia initiatives addressing
the relationship between terrorism and the domestic and
international legal systems. (Task Force Recommenda-
tion No. 31) (U)
V
In conjunction, with the Director of Central Intelligence,
expand the international terrorist informant program,
adding incentives such as immunity from prosecution,
I parole, citizenship, and residency grants. (Task Force i Recommendation No. 33) (U)
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Review the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and
determine whether terrorist movements or organizations
are abusing its provisions. (Task Force Recommendation
No. 38) (U)
Evaluate whether present activities by some U.S.
companies and individuals, such as paying ransoms,
buying kidnapping insurance, and purchasing interviews
.with terrorists, might not be effectively made illegal
under U.S. law. (Task Force Recommendation N. 4/)1..
(C)
Ensure that training and support of terrorists at
so-called mercenary camps in the United States are not
permitted under U.S. law. (Task Force Recommendation
No. 39) (U)
Pursue legislation to permit nuclear reactor licensees
access to FBI criminal history files so that individ-
uals can be more thoroughly screened prior to being _
granted unescorted admission to nuclear reactor
facilities. (Task Force Recommendation No. 42) (U)
Complete review of the proposal to enhance Federal
jurisdiction over domestic terrorist incidents. (Task
Force Proposed Recommendation No. 3) (U)
(3) The Secretary of Defense shall:
Develop a comprehensive public affairs strategy for CT
forces, considering public acknowledgment of the
existence of U.S. CT forces. (Task Force Recommenda-
tion No. 8) (C) .
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Develop plans for integrating psychological operations
more closely into the overall CT effort. (Task Force,
Recommendation No. 30) (C)
Review requirements and develop alternatives for more
effective� intelligence and operational support to CT
forces/operations. (Task Force Recommendation No. 44)
(S)
(4) The Secretary of the Treasury shall:
Extend Secret Service protection to "accompanying
spouses" of visiting heads of state. (Task Force
Recommendation No. 13) (U)
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(5) The Secretary of Transportation shall:
Survey, in conjunction with the Director of Central
Intelligence, current port security procedures and
assess the terrorist threat to vessels, passengers, and
11 I crewmembers. (Task Force Recommendation No. 21) (C)
1 (6) The Director of Central Intelligence shall:
� /
Expand human intelligence collection efforts against
international terrorist organizations, movements ail4
� groups, using alternative cover arrangements as.
appropriate. (Task Force Recommendation No. 24) (S)
Establish an interdepartmental career program for
terrorism intelligence analysts. (Task Forcei.Recommen-
� dation No. 25) (C)
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In conjunction with the Attorney General, ensure that
. ,
police and law enforcement information is incorporated
in U.S. intelligence data bases, and train CT
specialists in exchange programs with law enforcement
agencies. (Task Force Recommendation No. 26) (S)
Eiimine, in conjunction with the IG/T and the IICT, th(
b ! current countermeasures program and recommend enhance-
ments for denying terrorists use of chemical and
biological agents. (Task Force Recommendation No. 27)
(C)
(7) The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agenc
shall: �
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Identify, under the, auspices of the IG/T, the extent
which various critical U.S..infrastructure element's
(e.g. the computerized banking system, power grids,
communications networks) are vulnerable to acts of
terrorism and propose near- and long-term sol.utions.
(Task Force Recommendation No. 11) (C)
2. The Assistant to the President for National Security Affe
shall review progress made on the implementation of this
directive and report the results to me by July 1, 1986.
3. The provisions of NSDD's 30 and 138 are hereby modiaied
accordance with this directive. (C)
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