TERRORISM REVIEW

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87T00685R000200300002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 36
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 19, 2011
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: January 13, 1986
• Content Type: REPORT

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Directorate of t
Terrorism Review
13 January 1986
DI TR 86-001
13 January 1986
Copy 5 3 3
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Secret
5 Highlights
Terrorism and Narcotics Analysis Division, DI/OGI
19 Syrian Support for Terrorism-1985
21 Iraq's Involvement in International Terrorism-1985
27 Chronology of Terrorism-1985
Terrorism and Narcotics Analysis Division, DI/OGI
This review is published every other week by the Directorate of Intelligence.
Appropriate articles produced by other elements of the CIA as well as by other
agencies of the US Intelligence Community will be consideredfor publication.
Comments and queries are welcome and may be directed to the Executive Editor
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State support remained a significant factor in terrorism of Middle East origin in
1985. Armed attacks-principally assassination attempts-and bombings
accounted for nearly three-fourths of all incidents. The number of kidnapings more
than doubled over 1984. We do not believe Syria, Iran, or Libya have changed
their politics or reduced the extent of their support for terrorism, although Libyan-
and Iranian-sponsored groups carried out fewer attacks this year than last. Syrian-
sponsored groups-primarily radical Palestinian factions-accounted for a
substantial increase in terrorist activity. State sponsors will continue to target US
interests, but the battleground may shift to Europe as targets in the Middle East
continue to become less accessible.
Qadhafi will always target dissident Libyans opposed to him, but recently he
appears to be expanding his terrorist activity by becoming more closely involved
with such radical groups as Abu Nidal. This group's activities, while under Syrian
sponsorship earlier this year, have accounted for much of the increase in Syrian-
backed terrorism. Evidence of operational coordination between Libya and Abu
Nidal, however, was lacking until the Rome and Vienna El Al attacks. On other
fronts, we have evidence that Libyan agents are attempting to gather information
about US personnel and facilities in several countries, suggesting that Libya is
losing its reluctance to directly target US interests.
Iranian-sponsored activity could increase if, for example, Iran forsakes the attempt
begun last spring to influence the Persian Gulf states by diplomatic means and
activates the terrorist networks it has continued to develop there. Iranian activity
could also rise if its surrogates seek US or French targets outside the Middle East,
where bombings and kidnapings have for the most part driven away remaining
Western targets. Islamic Jihad threatened on 31 December that further
kidnapings and attacks against the United States would take place in 1986.
Finally, Syrian-supported activity promises to remain high as long as Damascus is
embroiled in the turbulent Lebanese and Palestinian situations and opposes
moderate Arab attempts to move forward on the peace process.
We continue to watch for evidence that the Middle East state sponsors are forging
operational links to each other. At year's end, however, the only such ties that we
know of consisted of bilateral relationships, like that between Libya and Iran in
which they both support Iraqi dissidents. Cooperation is most likely to continue to
be on a bilateral basis, with Iran and Libya the only two states having already
discussed terrorist cooperation. Last summer, they issued a communique pledging
closer ties on a whole range of issues, but we have not yet seen evidence of
operational planning for terrorist activity. The relationship between Iran and Syria
remains subject to recurrent strains over the issue of Lebanon, and Libyan-Syrian
relations similarly soured during the summer.
Secret
DI TR 86-001
13 January 1986
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Iran
Iran and Iranian-supported groups remain a major terrorist threat, particularly to
US interests, although they were not as active in 1985. In 1984 almost one-fourth
of all Middle Eastern attacks were known to involve Iranian or Iranian-supported
groups. In the first nine months of 1985, they were responsible for at least 36
attacks. Iraq, France, and the United States remain the principal targets, but the
Persian Gulf states face an increasing threat as well. Iranian-sponsored groups
active this year include:
? Radical Shia groups in Lebanon, particularly Hizballah, who claim to have
killed William Buckley and continue to hold at least four other American
hostages. Hizballah also held five of the American hostages during the TWA
hijacking last summer, which delayed the resolution of the incident for some
time.
? Iraqi dissidents, who this year staged at least two attacks in the hometown of
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. We believe Libya and Iran are trying to
coordinate the anti-Iraqi activities of these groups.
? Shia dissidents from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Pro-Iranian dissidents
attempted to assassinate the Amir of Kuwait last May, and terrorist cells have
been uncovered in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in the last several
months.
Tehran also targets Iranian exiles. Last August, a former security official of the
Shah's regime was murdered in Turkey, and in September an exiled Iranian tribal
leader with close ties to the Shah was gunned down in Pakistan. Iran also attempts
to promote subversive activity among the Shia populations in countries as farflung
as Nigeria, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Syria
Syria continued to sponsor terrorist attacks against moderate Arab and Western
interests, although Syrian personnel were not directly involved in any incidents.
Syrian-supported groups staged some 30 attacks in the first nine months of 1985,
including two against US facilities. Many of these attacks were carried out by the
Abu Nidal Group, although there were reports near year's end that Abu Nidal had
quarreled with Damascus and moved his operations to Tripoli.F__1
Syrian-backed radical Palestinian groups have been especially active against
Jordanian targets since the Palestine National Council meeting in Jordan in
November 1984 and the PLO-Jordan accord in February 1985:
? On a single day in March, three Jordanian airline offices were bombed in three
different European countries.
? A rocket fired at a Jordanian airliner in April struck the plane, nearly causing a
major loss of life.
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Syrian-supported groups have attacked US facilities, although we do not know if
Syrian officials explicitly approved such attacks. Indeed, the degree of Syrian
control over these groups varies and is not total. It is unlikely that Assad wants to
directly target US facilities and personnel, but we believe he would exploit the
anti-Americanism of these groups to challenge US policies that Syria opposes.F_
Libya
Virtually all of Libya's terrorist attacks in 1985 were directed against Qadhafi's
favorite targets-his own exiled countrymen:
? Exiles have been gunned down in Greece, West Germany, Cyprus, Italy, and
Austria. Egypt twice this year stopped attempts in Egypt on the life of Libya's
former Prime Minister.
? Libya's plans to disrupt the annual pilgrimage to Mecca did not bear fruit this
year, but Libya almost certainly will plan some activity for the next hajj.
Tripoli may be turning away from targeting exiles to concentrate on its activities in
the Sudan and on strengthening its longstanding relationship with radical
Palestinian groups. Abu Nidal and Libya appear to have cooperated in the El Al
attacks in Vienna and Rome, and Libya may have had a hand in the Egyptair
hijacking in November.
Qadhafi's reach extends far beyond Libya's borders:
? In the Caribbean, Libya has made lavish promises of money and training to
leftist groups and tried to promote anti-US and anti-French sentiments.
? In Zaire, local security officials thwarted a bomb plot in September directed
against President Mobutu.
Libya also provides training and funds to dissident groups in Latin America, East
Asia, and the Pacific, although Qadhafi seems most interested in Latin America-
outside his traditional circle of North Africa-as his next target of opportunity. F
Prospects
State-supported terrorism is likely to remain a major feature of Middle
East-origin terrorism in 1986. Increased security and the low-key presence of US
personnel has made targeting Americans more difficult. Prospects are good,
therefore, that state sponsors of terrorism will turn increasingly to Western Europe
in particular to continue attacks against the United States.
The three state sponsors will also continue their heavy use of surrogates and will
try to exploit the fragmented Palestinian movement to conduct attacks where the
state and the Palestinian group have overlapping interests-such as the attacks
against Jordan or the cooperation between Libya and Abu Nidal in recent
incidents. This level of tactical and operational coordination is far more likely than
a "terrorist entente," involving a coordination of strategy among Iran, Libya, and
Syria.
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Secret
Highlights
FPL Planning Attack on US Embassy
the Farabundo Marti Popular Liberation 25X1
Forces is planning to stage an attack on the US Embassy in El Salvador some time
after 10 December. The attackers may receive some help from other Colombian
and Chilean terrorists. The FPL has demonstrated a continuing interest in the
assassination or abduction of US personnel, and, in view of the threat, the
Embassy has increased its already tight security. 25X1
Secret
DI TR 86-001
13 January 1986
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emerged in October 1984.
Suspected Communist Combatant Cells (CCC) Leader and Associates Arrested
On 16 December Belgian authorities arrested Pierre Carette, suspected leader of
the CCC, and three others believed to be important members of the group. This is
the most important counterterrorist success by the Belgians to date, and should be
a major setback to the CCC. Carette-who is believed to be both the ideological
and operational leader of the group-went underground shortly after the CCC
specifically to the CCC activities.
Bernard Sassoye, Didier Chevolet, and a female, Pascale Vandergeerde, were
arrested with him, and are believed to be active participants in CCC operations.
The four were armed at the time of their arrest, but did not resist probably because
they were surrounded by some 30 heavily armed policemen. They have been
charged initially with associating with criminals, possession of and carrying
weapons, and forgery but police claim to have additional evidence linking Carette
West Germany Red Army Faction Member Surrenders
Martin Thiel, one of West Germany's most wanted terrorists, turned himself in to
police in Saarland on 2 December. Thiel was thought to have gone underground in
late November 1984. An arrest warrant sworn out in April of this year charged
him with suspected membership in the RAF. Since his arrest, these charges
reportedly have been reduced to continued support for a terrorist organization.
Preliminary investigations have led West German authorities to believe Thiel was
not involved in the 8 August Rhein-Main Airbase bombing and had not joined the
RAF hardcore. In light of this, it is unlikely his arrest will seriously hurt the RAF.
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Secret
press.
Suspected Terrorist's Death May Cause ETA Backlash
The discovery on 16 December of the handcuffed body of Mikel Zabalza, a
suspected member of the separatist group Basque Fatherland and Liberty-Military
Wing (ETA-M), has caused violent protests, a general strike, and some of the
largest antigovernment demonstrations in recent history throughout the Basque
region. An autopsy determined that his death was due to drowning, but widespread
speculation of police involvement and possibly even torture of the suspected
terrorist prior to his death continues, particularly in the leftist Basque nationalist
including 23 policemen, were injured and at least 40 arrested.
Zabalza was arrested on 26 November, one day after ETA-M claimed
responsibility for two machinegun attacks in Guizpuzcoa that resulted in three
deaths. he suspected terrorist escaped from
three civil guardsmen while en route to show them an ETA-M arms cache in
Navarra Province. Angry at the Spanish Government's failure to present a rapid
explanation of his disappearance, thousands of Basques staged a demonstration
and were dispersed by tear gas and rubber bullets. Several dozen persons,
include a renewed amnesty offer for repentant Spanish Basque exiles.
The Zabalza case, which has momentarily revived support for radical Basque
movements, is a setback for the government's recent counterterrorist efforts, which
are closely connected with the Spanish security services.
Spanish Court Sentences GAL Members
For the first time since the Anti-terrorist Liberation Group (GAL) appeared in late
1983, a Spanish court has sentenced two of its alleged members to prison terms.
On 12 December Daniel Fernandez Acena and Mariano Morelada Munoz were
given 30-year prison terms for the murder-believed to be the wrong target-of
Frenchman Jean Pierre Leiba in Hendaye in March 1984. A third accused man
was acquitted. The conviction of the two GAL operators could alleviate some of
the widespread suspicion that exists in the Basque provinces that GAL operations
opportunity to seek aid from states that support radical terrorist groups.
FP-25 members still at large may soon
resume terrorist activities. The recent arrest of a leading FP-25 operative and the
continuing trial of many of the group's political leaders may cause members still at
large to renew their efforts in order to attract international attention. The ongoing
trial, which is likely to last throughout most of 1986, may give the FP-25 an
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80 kilometers west of San Salvador.
Rightwing Death Squad Activity Resurfaces
A previously unknown group claimed responsibility for three murders in
December. The "Protector Army of Santa Ana" announced its vigilante actions
against "delinquents" in a communique to local radio stations on 7 December. The
bodies of three youths, apparently strangled, were found in the hamlet of Arenera,
Flag.
Possible Terrorist Resurgence
The largely inactive Venezuelan Red Flag terrorist group plans to kidnap US
diplomats in Maracaibo and Venezuelan businessmen in the states of Apure,
Barinas, and Merida . The kidnaping plots
may be the focus of a new campaign designed to embarrass the Venezuelan
Government. The Colombian M-19 group reportedly is working with the Red
out attacks.
In recent years, the Red Flag has conducted only sporadic low-level terrorist
operations near the Colombian border. The group is still reorganizing and
probably is not capable of undertaking a sustained terrorist campaign.
Nevertheless, its ties to the M-19 may significantly improve its capability to carry
Sohl. The kidnapers set a deadline of 20 December.
US Citizens Kidnaped
On 10 December approximately 100 armed guerrillas of the leftist People's
Liberation Army (EPL) attacked a Bechtel Corporation construction site in
northern Colombia and kidnaped two US engineers. Press reports indicate that the
guerrillas are demanding $6 million for the release of John Geddes and Edward
often last months and occasionally even years.
The EPL recently renounced its 1984 cease-fire agreement with the government
and the kidnapings apparently are an attempt by the group to acquire funds to
finance future operations. Kidnaping negotiations with Colombian guerrilla groups
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Secret
South African Embassy Targeted
Two attacks against the South African Embassy in Santiago occurred within days
of each other. The first, on the night of 24-25 November, occurred when a bomb
placed outside the main entrance gate was defused by security personnel. The
second attack involved a car bomb that exploded on 2 December in front of the
annex to the South African Embassy. The car belonged to a first secretary of the
Embassy.
SWAPO Offensive Expected
The South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) will commence its rainy
season infiltration in late December 25X1
Subsequent terrorist activity is anticipated. SWAPO is believed to have improved
its ambush techniques and possibly to have acquired heavier weapons, such as 122-
mm and B-10 rockets. White farming areas in southern Namibia may be targeted.
Stepped-up African National Congress attacks in South Africa may cause some
thinning of South African forces in Namibia but we believe they will still be able
to cope with any increased SWAPO activity. 25X1
from hardliners if they go too far.
Prospects for Increasing Violence
Continued cease-fire violations and a wide gap between the proposals of President
J. R. Jayewardene and hardline Tamil separatists have eroded prospects for
communal peace and raised the likelihood of increased insurgent and terrorist
violence in Sri Lanka. Jayewardene has offered several concessions to moderate
Tamil representatives, but his actions are unlikely to appease Tamil hardliners
who want a separate state. He has already shown some flexibility on proposals for
provincial control over land settlement and local police forces, according to
diplomatic reporting. These proposals, however, do not offer an independent Tamil
state or a linkage of provincial control over the contested Northern and Eastern
provinces. Although moderate Tamil groups are willing to hammer out an
agreement based on the President's proposals, they fear they will face reprisals
violence probably will erupt in the next several months.
During the cease-fire, separatist factions have continued fighting government
security forces. The intransigence of several Tamil groups, coupled with the
ineffective cease-fire agreement, have led Jayewardene to believe that further
talks-even with Indian mediation-will prove fruitless. If negotiations stall, wider
those who attacked the police bus.
Police Bus Attacked With Fire Bombs
On 23 November, four or five men attacked a bus carrying approximately 20 riot
police officers in Chiba Prefecture. The bus was not damaged, and no injuries were
reported. Police believe that radical elements, which target Narita Airport
facilities, were responsible. On the same night, timed incendiary devices destroyed
two cars in Chiba-ken. Police suspect the cars were used as getaway vehicles by
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Iranian Support for
Terrorism in 1985
The level of Iranian-supported terrorism in 1985
remained high, although the number of incidents we
can specifically link to Iranian-supported groups
dropped. Iranian-backed terrorist groups were
responsible for at least 36 attacks during the first nine
months of 1985. While Iraq, France, and the United
States remain the primary targets, Persian Gulf states
face an increasing terrorist threat that could escalate
sharply if the Iran-Iraq war intensifies. The spillover
of Iranian-sponsored terrorism into Western Europe
potentially jeopardizes Western interests there.
The Main Targets
Iraq is a primary target of Iranian-sponsored groups.
Iran trains and finances several Iraqi dissident groups,
such as the Dawa Party, that are dedicated to
overthrowing President Saddam Husayn. Although
Dawa Party activity inside Iraq has declined since
security forces penetrated the group's clandestine
network and arrested hundreds of its members in
1983, it recovered in 1985. Dawa Party members
conducted two bombings in Saddam's hometown of
Tikrit and
October engaged in firefights with Iraqi security
forces in two communities near Baghdad. If Iran
suffers further setbacks in its war with Iraq, Tehran
may shift from a mostly military strategy to a greater
focus on terrorism against Iraqi targets.
Lebanon has been the scene of most Iranian-
sponsored terrorist activity against the United States
and France. The radical Shia groups in Lebanon-
funded, supplied, and trained by Iran-are dedicated
to bringing about an Islamic revolution in Lebanon.
They consider the elimination of all Western,
particularly American, presence in Lebanon to be the
first step toward achieving their goal. Iran also has
encouraged attacks against French targets because of
France's support for Iraq. Although Iran almost
certainly does not know of or condone every Hizballah
attack, the radical Lebanese Shias still receive
significant Iranian support and guidance, and Tehran
maintains a great deal of influence over the Hizballah
movement.
Over the past nine months, available evidence
indicates that pro-Iranian Shia in Lebanon have been
responsible for at least 24 incidents of international
terrorism including eight attacks against French and
five against US targets. Among the more notorious
acts:
? Radical Shias may have kidnaped two British 25X1
citizens in West Beirut on 14 and 15 March. The
two were subsequently released, perhaps when their
captors realized they were not Americans. 25X1
? Hizballah was responsible for kidnaping three
private US citizens this year. Although the Rev.
Benjamin Weir was released in September,
Hizballah elements still hold at least four
Americans.
? Radical Shia terrorists probably were responsible
for the murders of four members of the French
observer force in January and February and the
kidnaping of three French diplomats in March, two
of whom are still being held. Two private French
citizens remain missing. Anonymous callers claimed
Islamic Jihad was responsible for three of these
incidents.
The Persian Gulf
Iran appears prepared to increase terrorist activities
throughout the Persian Gulf in retaliation for the Gulf
states' support for Iraq. In May, an attempt was made
to assassinate the Amir of Kuwait. Shia dissidents
from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain continue to
receive military training in Iran and then return home
to undertake subversive activity. Moreover, recent
discoveries of terrorist cells and planned operations
against several Gulf states by Iranian-sponsored
groups suggest that Tehran is strengthening its
terrorist option:
Lebanese Shia terrorists was planning terrorist
actions directed at Kuwaiti or US interests.
Secret
DI TR 86-00/
13 January 1986
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there.
Although to the best of our knowledge, Iran was not
involved in planning or staging the TWA hijacking
from Greece in June, the hijackers' communiques
clearly indicated the influence of Iranian propaganda,
and pro-Iranian Hizballah elements in Lebanon
subsequently took control of the hijacking. That
operation indicated that radical Shias have developed
the capability to conduct terrorist attacks in Europe,
which makes them a greater threat to US interests
Iran continues to track
exile population.
anti-Khomeini exiles in Europe. In August, a former
Iranian security official was murdered in Turkey.
Other assassination attempts could occur at any
time-especially in France, with its large Iranian
Iran uses its network of diplomatic
? Plans and training have been reported in recent
months concerning the targeting of critical Gulf
economic facilities, such as oil facilities and
Should Iraq inflict further substantial damage on
Khark Island, Iran appears prepared to increase
terrorist activities throughout the Persian Gulf in
retaliation. US personnel and facilities could be
included in such a campaign.
Activities Elsewhere
Pro-Iranian terrorists also operate in Western Europe.
Tehran recently opened an unofficial office in
Barcelona and Spanish security services are
concerned that the new office could become a center
for terrorist activity. Spanish authorities closed
another unofficial Iranian office in July 1984 after
obtaining evidence that the Iranians planned to hijack
a Saudi airliner. The Iranians also were charged at
that time with illegal possession of arms and
explosives.
and cultural missions to support these terrorist
operations. Many elements of the Iranian
Government, including several senior officials, are
directly involved in terrorist activity. For example,
direct links between Tehran and terrorist activities
abroad are maintained through the Foreign Ministry
and the Pasdaran (Revolutionary Guard). Iran also
supports cultural institutions and pro-Khomeini
student associations in Western Europe, particularly
in Italy, West Germany, Spain, and France. These
institutions spread pro-Iranian propaganda among the
sizable expatriate Iranian and Arab student and
worker populations in Europe and may also be
involved in recruiting.
Iran also is involved in agitation and propaganda
activity among Muslim populations in countries as
diverse as Nigeria, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the
Philippines. For example, in Pakistan, militant
Shias-with direct Iranian support-conducted
violent demonstrations in July 1985 intended to force
the government to allow Shias to impose Islamic law
on their own community. In September 1985, an
exiled Iranian tribal leader with close ties to the Shah
was gunned down in Karachi.
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Secret
Outlook
Export of the revolution is a central tenet of the
clerical regime in Iran and terrorism has been a
primary instrument in supporting this objective. So
long as the character of the current regime remains as
aggressive and hostile to the West as it is at present,
Iran's policy of sponsoring terrorism is unlikely to
change.
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Secret
Libyan Support for Terrorism-1985
Libya's terrorist effort this year continued to focus on
traditional targets. The assassination campaign
against anti-Qadhafi exiles remained a top priority
and accounted for the majority of attacks. The
governments and leaders of selected moderate, pro-
Western countries in the Arab world and Africa are
also targets of frequent Libyan plotting, although
Libya has yet to score a successful attack against any
of these leaders. Libya continues its support for
insurgents worldwide but has spent relatively more
time this year on efforts in Sudan and the Caribbean.
Libya provides training, weapons, money, and other
forms of support to about 30 different groups overall.
Libya still devotes considerable resources to its
terrorist and subversive activity, yet the number of
successful attacks we can definitely link to Libya in
1985 is down-from 25 attacks in 1984 to nine during
the first 11 months of 1985. Libyan concentration on
subversive activity in North Africa is probably partly
responsible for the decline, although the ability of
European security services to thwart attacks also has
contributed to the slowdown. Libya may be becoming
more active in its longstanding relationship with
Palestinian radical groups
Libyan cooperation with radical
Palestinian groups is deepening-possibly including
joint planning for terrorist operations.
Also of concern is Tripoli's apparent willingness to
pursue its exiles within the United States, possibly to
embarrass the United States with terrorist activity on
its own soil. An ambitious plan to kill several Libyan
exiles in the United States was broken up by the FBI
last May. Libya also continues low-level activity that
could lay the groundwork for anti-US attacks in
certain areas of the world: several cases of Libyan
surveillance of US installations and personnel-which
could lead to contingency plans for such attacks-
have been detected. Serious constraints against such
attacks remain, however.
Libyan Antiexile Campaign
Over half of Libya's attacks this year were against its
own exiled dissidents. Qadhafi maintains a "hit list"
of exiles and pursues these individuals around the
world. Some attacks have been planned for months,
while others appear to have been spontaneous and
opportunistic. Libya runs antiexile operations out of
several People's Bureaus in Western Europe: Bonn,
Vienna, and Nicosia were particularly active this
year Madrid may 25X1
be a new locus. a a generally uses Libyans for
attacks on dissidents in Europe, although he tends to
employ surrogates or mercenaries for attacks in other
locations and against other targets. In almost all 25X1
antiexile operations, the assassins kill their victims
with handguns.
We believe Qadhafi may again step up his pace of
activity against dissidents, but internal turmoil may
be his highest priority in the near term. Qadhafi is
deeply worried about the opposition's ability to topple
his regime and will continue to focus his terrorist
resources against it. Libyan intelligence uses networks
in place in official and unofficial Libyan installations
in Europe and supplements them with "traveling
terrorist consultants" based in Tripoli. European
considerations inhibit many governments from
cracking down more effectively:
? Tripoli's antiexile assassination campaign accounted
for a greater percentage of attacks this year than in
1984, when Qadhafi reintroduced the tactic after a
three-year respite. Anti-Qadhafi exiles have been
killed in Greece, West Germany, Cyprus, Italy, and
Austria this year.
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? The Libyan exile community in Egypt has also been
a frequent target, but Egyptian authorities have
been effective in thwarting attacks. A four-man
Libyan team was arrested in November during an 25X1
attempted attack against a gathering of exiles near
Cairo.
Secret
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13 January 1986
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 incidents have occurred to date, despite the plethora
of threat rumors. Qadhafi has a network in place,
however, that he could quickly activate. We believe
Tripoli has held back from terrorism because
diplomatic channels have proved so fruitful until
recently. A terrorist event cannot be ruled out,
however, especially if Libyan-Sudanese relations
deteriorate or if a domestic political crisis arises that
is too opportune to ignore.
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? Libya also plotted attacks against exiles within the
United States. In May, a Libyan diplomat at the
United Nations was declared persona non grata and
16 nonofficial Libyans were subpoenaed to appear
before a US grand jury in connection with a plot to
kill Libyan dissidents in four different states.
Plots gainst Moderate Arab Officials
Qadhafi has long targeted moderate Arab
governments for their refusal to continue the military
struggle against Israel and for their links to the West.
The primary targets of such attacks in 1985 were the
Governments of Egypt, Tunisia, and Iraq:
? President Mubarak of Egypt remains a principal
target. Moreover, Egypt has captured several teams
of Libyan-supported Egyptian dissidents who
reportedly planned to destabilize the government
with sabotage and other disturbances.
? Tunisia also received special attention from
Qadhafi. Tripoli expelled more than 30,000
Tunisian workers from Libya in August and
infiltrated terrorist agents among them, hoping to
further destabilize Tunisia's shaky economy. A
team of Libyan terrorists carrying bombs and
planning attacks on several facilities was captured,
and the Libyan diplomat running the operation out
of Sfax was expelled. Soon thereafter, another
Libyan diplomat used the diplomatic pouch to
smuggle letter bombs addressed to Tunisian
journalists into the country. After two postal
workers were injured when several of these bombs
exploded, Tunisia severed relations.
Support for African Insurgents and Terrorists
Qadhafi usually prefers to ensure plausible denial in
acts of terrorism that Libya sponsors. The use of
surrogates is one way in which he distances Libya
from such attacks. Many of the surrogates belong to
dissident groups whom Libya trains, funds, and arms.
Libya is particularly active in supporting these groups
in Sub-Saharan Africa:
? Tripoli has conducted extensive subversive activity
in Sudan since a coup in April ousted longtime
Qadhafi enemy President Nimeiri. No terrorist
Libya continues to
fund, train, and arm Zairian dissidents in large
numbers and send them home on terrorist and
subversive missions. Zairian officials claimed in
September to have thwarted at least one Libyan-
sponsored plot against President Mobutu. The
President's effective personal security and the
ineptitude of the dissidents have so far stymied all
assassination attempts.
? In February, Chad complained to the United
Nations that Libya had attempted to assassinate
President Habre in September 1984. Photographs of
the Libyan-made attache case bomb that was to be
used in the attack were provided as evidence.
Activities in Latin America and Asia
Qadhafi appears increasingly intent on extending his
revolution to areas far removed from Libya. He has
used Islamic Call Societies and funding for numerous
dissident groups in Asia and Latin America to extend
his reach.
In the Caribbean, Libya hopes to gather intelligence,
gain political influence, and undermine US and
French interests. Tripoli's method of operation has
been to offer dissidents training and trips to Libya
and to promise them money on the condition that they
perform acts of violence. Libya has met with virtually
no success in the Caribbean to date, and we do not
expect any dramatic increase in terrorist activity there
in the near term. The more militant French-speaking
separatists may be more willing to undertake terrorist
activity, but English-speaking leftists are likely to
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continue to reject violence. Cuba is reportedly
concerned about the increasing Libyan role in the
Caribbean and has warned several groups away from
Libyan support:
? People's Bureaus in Caracas and Panama probably
coordinate activity in the region. Libya reportedly
would like to use unofficial facilities such as the
Islamic Call Society in Curacao and a regional
newspaper office in Barbados as cover organizations
for subversive activity.
? Libya is providing money and some training and
arms to dissidents in the Caribbean. Libya seems to
be having the greatest success with groups in
Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana.
financial support to the Movement for the
Revolutionary Left (MIR) in Chile in return for a
more visible guerrilla effort. A recent report
indicates $100,000 has been received by the MIR.
Libya has promised
supporter.
member of the M-19 in Colombia recently stated
that Libya is the group's main source of arms,
training, and money. We doubt, however, that
Libya has replaced Cuba as the M-19's main
a high-ranking
the
has received money from Libya.
The Libyan effort in Asia and the Pacific is less
substantial but growing. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
serves as a local coordinating center, and Islamic Call
Societies are also centers of activity. Most Libyan
activity is subversive-the provision of funds and
training to dissidents-but Tripoli occasionally offers
support for specific events:
? Tripoli reportedly provided funds to opposition
groups in Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The Moro
National Liberation Front in the Philippines
received unspecified support following Nur
Misuari's meeting with Qadhafi in July.
? In June, Bangladeshi police arrested a Libyan-
trained Bangladeshi national for plotting to kill
President Ershad. This individual had received
Libyan support in an earlier coup attempt.
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Links to Palestinians
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Originally a strong supporter of Yasir Arafat,
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Qadhafi shifted his support for the Palestinian cause
to more radical groups in the early 1970s, when he
felt Arafat and the Palestinian Liberation
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Organization were becoming too moderate. This trend
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accelerated after Abu Musa's faction broke with
Arafat in 1982. Libya since has supported such
groups as the PNSF, PFLP, PFLP-GC, and Abu
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Nidal. offering arms money, training, and refuge.
the relationship with Abu
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Nidal has broadened to include joint operational
coordination:
Libya provided
three passports used by the Abu Nidal terrorists in
the attack on the El Al counter in Vienna on 27
December. Two of the passports were seized by
Libya when it expelled 30,000 Tunisian workers last
August. This is the first concrete evidence of Libyan
operational support to Abu Nidal.
Libyan Charge there
wrote and secretly distributed statements on behalf
of the hijackers of the Egyptair jet in November-
an incident claimed by a group using an Abu Nidal
covername.
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Libya also has been active with other radical
Palestinian elements this year:
? A coalition of radical Palestinians formed the
Palestinian National Salvation Front (PNSF) in
Damascus amid much publicity last February.
Libya provides
Libya may have
plotted to kill a high-level Fatah official in Berlin in
August.
Threat to the United States
Qadhafi fears retaliation for attacks against US
targets and has never attacked an American official
or facility. There clearly are circumstances, however,
in which he is willing to take the risk. We believe
Libya is preparing contingency plans to attack US
targets, and attribute the failure of Libya to attempt
attacks against the United States in the past to lack of
pre-operational planning, poor security, and the
general incompetence of Libyan agents.
Libyan agents
may be gathering intelligence on US personnel and
facilities in Tunisia, Sudan, Somalia, Greece, Italy,
and Saudi Arabia.
Attacks against US targets in the United States are
unlikely, but Libya would like to embarrass the
United States with terrorism on its own soil by
targeting anti-Qadhafi dissidents here. Tripoli is also
forgoing ties to US radical groups. A Libyan attack
against the United States elsewhere in the world
cannot be ruled out, and some analysts judge that
Qadhafi now is especially likely to seek opportunities
to attack the United States in an effort to exploit the
growing anti-US sentiment in the Arab states.
Qadhafi probably believes anti-US attacks would
keep him in the forefront of the worldwide
revolutionary struggle. Should he elect to take the
risks associated with an anti-US attack, he probably
will work through surrogates to disguise the Libyan
hand.
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Syrian Support for
Terrorism-1985
Syria continued to be a major patron of international
terrorism throughout 1985. While we identified no
attacks involving Syrian personnel directly, the
incidence of attacks carried out by groups operating
with Syrian support increased compared with the
same period in 1984. So far this year, these groups
have been involved in at least 23 terrorist attacks
against moderate Arab-especially Jordanian-US,
British, Palestinian, or Israeli targets. Groups
receiving Syrian support have attacked US facilities
twice this year.'
Why Terrorism?
President Assad uses terrorist tactics to dissuade
opponents and recalcitrant allies from pursuing
policies inimical to Syrian interests. Support for
terrorist groups costs Syria little but raises the cost to
participants of any peace initiative that excludes
Damascus and serves to keep Assad's regional rivals
off balance as well.
Syria has instigated terrorist operations against
Jordanian officials and facilities and pro-Arafat PLO
officials in reaction to efforts to build moderate Arab
support for peace negotiations with Israel and to PLO
Chairman Arafat's rapprochement with King
Hussein. In the wake of the Palestine National
Conference in Amman in November 1984 and the
PLO-Jordan accord of February 1985, the number of
attacks on Jordanian targets by Syrian-supported
groups this year has nearly doubled over that of 1984.
Increasing strains in Syria's relations with Iraq, the
Gulf states, Turkey, and others are prompting similar
terrorist responses.
Syrian Use of Surrogates
Damascus's increasing use of surrogates reflects a
continued easing of the internal threat to the Syrian
regime, Assad's desire to mask Syria's role in terrorist
attacks, and a desire to obtain leverage over those
groups he supports. Damascus offers a wide range of
support to terrorist groups-from the use of Syrian or
Syrian-controlled territory for base camps, training
facilities, and political headquarters to arms, travel
assistance, intelligence, and probably money.
Palestinians who are largely funded, trained, and
armed by Syria include the militant Abu Nidal
Group, the Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine-General Command, Abu Musa's Fatah
rebels, and Saiqa. By far the most active Syrian- 25X1
supported group in 1985 was the militant Abu Nidal
Group, which was probably responsible for two-thirds
of the attacks, including:
? A handgrenade attack by an unidentified man on
the Jordanian Airline office in Rome in March that
injured three people. Black September-an Abu
Nidal covername-claimed responsibility.
? A grenade attack on a Rome sidewalk cafe in
September injured 38 tourists, including nine
Americans. The Revolutionary Organization of
Socialist Moslems (ROSM)-another Abu Nidal
covername-claimed responsibility for the attack.
? Nine days after the attack on the cafe, police
arrested a Palestinian in connection with an
explosion at the British Airways office in Rome that
injured 15. The suspect claimed to be a member of
ROSM and was later identified by witnesses as the
same man who attacked the Jordanian Airline office
in Athens in March.
The degree of control exercised by Syria over its
surrogates varies. The Abu Nidal Group appears to
maintain a fairly high degree of operational
independence, while Saiqa is for all intents and
purposes an arm of the Syrian state. Damascus also
supports non-Palestinian groups, including the Islamic
Front for the Liberation of Bahrain, Iraqi dissidents,
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13 January 1986
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and the Jordanian People's Revolutionary Party
(JPRP) which attacked US targets twice in early
1985:
? A bomb defused near a USAID employee's home in
Jordan was later discovered to be of JPRP origin.
? An explosive device defused at the American Center
for Oriental Studies in Amman was determined to
be the work of the JPRP.
A key non-Palestinian group that received Syrian
support in 1985 was the radical Lebanese Shia
Hizballah. Shortly after the Israeli invasion of
Lebanon in June 1982, several hundred Iranian
revolutionary guards were permitted to set up training
and staging bases for Hizballah in the Syrian-
occupied Bekaa Valley
Since the withdrawal of the MNF in May 1984,
however, Syria has been working to stabilize the
security situation throughout Lebanon and is
currently pursuing a dual-track policy of imposing
some constraints on Hizballah, while at the same time
attempting to co-opt them into operations more in line
with Syrian interests.
Cooperation With Other State Supporters
Syria cooperates selectively with the other two major
Middle Eastern sponsors of terrorism, Libya and Iran.
The three states share a desire to undermine US
policies in the Middle East, to "liberate" territory
occupied by Israel, and to weaken pro-Western
moderate Arab governments; however, available
evidence does not indicate that they are pursuing a
coordinated terrorist strategy. Divergent interests and
longstanding rivalries among the three make
temporary bilateral tactical ties on a case-by-case
basis the norm.
Relations among Libya, Iran, and Syria recently have
fallen to a low point despite their continuing interest
in a radical axis. Qadhafi remains excluded by Syria
and Iran from the role he wants in Lebanon. Tehran
has become increasingly concerned about Syrian
dominance in Lebanon. Syria is least dependent on
the good will of the other two radical states and less
committed to unity with its radical partners and has,
therefore, suffered least from frictions among the
three.
The USSR has never been clearly linked to a specific
Syrian-backed operation, but Moscow and Damascus
have a common interest in blocking the Hussein-
Arafat peace intiative. To the extent that support and
training of specific radical groups advance that goal,
Moscow and Damascus cooperate, although policy
differences limit such cooperation. Moscow does not
want Syria to gain control of the Palestinian
movement and opposes Syrian terrorist acts directed
at pro-Arafat Palestinians. Moscow's position could
change if significant progress is made toward joint
Jordanian-Palestinian-Israeli talks.
Attacks on US Targets
Syrian support for its surrogate groups in Jordan and
Lebanon and for Shia groups in Lebanon has made
Damascus a party to bombings of US facilities, but
we do not know if Syrian officials explicitly approved
the targets. We do not believe that Assad is intent on
directly targeting US personnel and facilities, but we
believe that he would take advantage of the anti-
American militancy of the groups he supports to
encourage attacks against the United States if that
serves Syrian interests. In this way, Assad will
continue to try to impose high costs on the United
States for policies he opposes and at the same time use
the leverage he gains over groups that get Syrian
support to persuade US policymakers that Damascus
must be bargained with and Syrian interests must
receive high consideration in Washington.
Outlook
Assad probably will continue to encourage the
selective use of terrorism to the extent that he believes
it will advance his political fortunes. The use of
surrogate groups has advantages that, for the most
part, will make it both undesirable and unnecessary
for him to use Syrian agents. King Hussein and
Arafat will continue to be the most obvious and
accessible targets for Syrian-supported groups. Assad
probably also will continue to take advantage of the
anti-American militancy of groups he supports, even
though he probably will not actively direct operations
against US targets.
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Iraq's Involvement in
International Terrorism-1985
Iraq continued to limit its involvement in
international terrorism in 1985. Iraqi-sponsored
terrorist activity this year has been targeted almost
exclusively against Syria and Libya in an effort to
increase the cost to these states of their support of
Iran, dissident Iraqi Shias, and Kurdish rebels
Iraq has supported pro-Arafat
Palestinian attacks against Syria and provided
assistance to Libyan dissidents. In recent weeks, there
have been glimmers of a possible reconciliation
between Baghdad and the two radical Arab states.
We believe, however, that Iraq remains pessimistic
about the chances for a rapprochement in the near
future and will continue to encourage surrogate
groups to target Syrian and Libyan interests.
The Syrians believe he was
responsible for at least four attacks inside Syria.
? Iraqi and PLO officials last summer discussed joint
efforts to mount operations against Syrian and
Libyan Embassies and other facilities abroad,
the PLO's
Central Security apparatus has opened three offices
in Baghdad and the leader of the apparatus is
planning attacks against Syria in coordination with
Iraqi officials. The operations reportedly will be
staged from Iraq.
Baghdad may also support attacks by the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO) against Israel in the
coming months. Iraq has increased significantly its
support of Yasir Arafat this year as a counterbalance
to growing Syrian dominance of the Palestinian
movement. In recent weeks, Baghdad has allowed
several hundred additional PLO fighters to move to
Iraq, but probably is not eager to host PLO political
or military headquarters. We believe Arafat will
continue to sanction operations inside Israel and the
West Bank; Baghdad may be drawn into providing at
least indirect support for these attacks. In an effort to
protect its relations with the United States, however,
we believe Iraq will limit its involvement in PLO
operations against Israel and probably will not
countenance any attacks outside Israeli territory.
Moreover, Baghdad almost certainly will continue to
withhold support from radical, non-PLO Palestinian
terrorist groups.
Recent Activity
In 1985 Iraqi-backed terrorism focused almost
exclusively on Syrian and Libyan targets:
? According to Libyan and Iraqi press reports,
Baghdad has increased its support of Libyan
dissidents since Baghdad broke relations with
Tripoli last June. Baghdad also allows Libyan
dissidents to broadcast anti-Qadhafi radio programs
from Iraq.
Other Iraqi-backed terrorist activity this year has
included:
? Two Iraqis were assassinated in Kuwait and Sweden
last March. Iraqi intelligence agents probably
conducted these attacks, but the motives for the
assassinations are unclear. Both victims probably
were associated with Iraqi intelligence, so they may
have been killed as part of an intraservice purge,
rather than for political reasons.
? In August, four Iraqi nationals were arrested in the
United Kingdom for attempting to bomb a
consignment of war materiel that reportedly was
destined for Iran, according to
press reports.
? In late October, despite protests from the United
States, Iraq granted asylum to Palestine Liberation
Front leader Muhammad al-Zaydan (Abu Abbas),
reportedly the mastermind of the Achille Lauro
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13 January 1986
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hijacking. Iraq has refused to respond positively to
US requests to extradite Abu Abbas to the United
States.
Efforts To Stymie Radical Palestinian Groups
In the face of continued pressure from the United
States and moderate Arab states, Baghdad continued
its efforts this year to prevent radical, non-PLO
Palestinian terrorist groups from operating out of
Iraq:
? Iraq withheld support from the 15 May
Organization and inhibited the group's operations.
Two terrorists carrying explosive-laden suitcases,
however, were arrested in Rome in October after
arriving from Baghdad. The two claimed they
intended to attack US targets in Italy. While many
details of this incident remain unclear, we believe
the terrorists were members of 15 May. We do not
believe, however, that the Iraqi leadership was
aware of the operation. It is possible that Iraqi
security officials facilitated the operation-without
the approval of their superiors-by allowing the
terrorists to take the explosives aboard the aircraft.
October and a Libyan delegation in November.
Nonetheless, in our judgment, Baghdad remains
pessimistic about the chances for rapprochement with
Damascus and Tripoli in the near term and will
continue to encourage surrogate groups-Libyan
dissidents, the PLO, and possibly the Muslim
Brotherhood-to conduct attacks against Syrian and
Libyan targets.
Iraq may also reluctantly support PLO attacks
against Israel in the near future. The Iraqis strongly
oppose Israel, but recognize that their support of
terrorism against Israel will damage their relations
with the United States, whose technology and whose
support for an arms embargo against Iran Baghdad
greatly values. Nonetheless, Baghdad believes
increased support of pro-Arafat Palestinian factions is
necessary in order to counter Syria's efforts to
dominate the Palestinian movement. We believe PLO
terrorists will continue to mount operations against
Israeli targets, and Iraq may be drawn into providing
at least indirect support for these attacks in order to
bolster Arafat.
Future Trends
In our judgment, Iraq will continue to utilize
terrorism primarily to undermine and isolate its Arab
enemies-Syria and Libya. Baghdad is eager to end
Syrian and Libyan military support for Tehran and
for Kurdish and Shia dissidents in Iraq. To this end,
Iraq will pursue any reasonable opportunities for
reconciliation with the radical Arab states, according
to the US Embassy in Baghdad. Press reports indicate
Iraqi officials met with a Syrian delegation last
territories. Finally,
Some 2,000 PLO fighters are now living and training
in Iraq, and, according to the US Embassy in
Baghdad, Arafat has been transferring additional
units to Iraq from North Yemen, Sudan, and Tunisia.
In addition, the US Embassy in Amman reported
that, in mid-October, the Jordanian Government
asked some 35 members of Fatah's Western Sector
apparatus to leave Jordan; these operatives reportedly
planned to move to Baghdad. The Western Sector has
been responsible for planning and executing the bulk
of Fatah's attacks in Israel and the occupied
Arafat has told the leaders of Kuwait and North
Yemen that he plans to move PLO headquarters to
Baghdad from Tunisia, although Iraqi officials told
US diplomats in late October that the PLO had not
yet made such a request.
Fatah operatives almost certainly will try to plan and
stage attacks in Israel and the occupied territories
from Iraq. Baghdad, however, will try to prevent the
PLO from using Iraqi territory as a staging area for
such operations in order to limit the damage to its
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relations with the United States and reduce the risk of
an Israeli retaliatory attack. Baghdad is also likely to
discourage PLO attacks conducted against Israeli
targets outside Israeli territory. The Iraqis are
sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, and Baghdad
probably will directly support such operations only if
the position of Arafat's moderate faction would
otherwise erode. Moreover, Iraq will continue to
withhold support from radical non-PLO groups like
the 15 May Organization and the PFLP-SC.
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1 February 1979
1 February 1984
1 February 1985
4 February 1961
4 February 1948
5 February 1958
5 February 1960
6 February 1840
6 February 1981
6 February 1984
7 February 1974
7 February 1986
10 February 1986
11 February 1929
11 February
12 February 1947
13 February 1961
13 February 1975
The Terrorism Diary for February 1986
event.
Below is a compendium of February dates of known or conceivable significance to
terrorists around the world. Our inclusion of a date or event should not by itself
be construed to suggest that we expect or anticipate a commemorative terrorist
Iran. Return of Ayatollah Khomeini to Iran from exile in Paris.
India. Kashmir separatist leader Maqbool Butt executed.
India. Kashmir Liberation Front sets off two bombs to commemorate execution of
Maqbool Butt.
Angola. Beginning of armed struggle against Portugal.
Sri Lanka. National Day.
Colombia. Founding of National Liberation Army (ELN).
Burma. Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Revolution Day.
New Zealand. Waitangi Day (national day).
Pakistan. Founding of Movement for Restoration of Democracy (MRD).
Lebanon. Fall of West Beirut to Muslim militias.
Grenada. Independence Day.
Philippines. Presidential election scheduled.
Chinese world. Lunar New Year (beginning of Chinese year 4684).
Italy, Vatican. Lateran Treaty signed (governs relationship between Italy and
Vatican City).
Iran. Revolution Day; "Eleventh Dawn" (the 11th day of the revolution is
considered the day of victory over the old regime).
Japan. National Foundation Day.
Burma. Union Day.
Zaire. Death of Patrice Lumumba.
Cyprus. Declaration establishing Turkish Federated State of Cyprus.
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16 February 1918
17 February 1979
18 February 1965
19 February 1947
19 February 1952
19 February 1980
22 February 1948
22 February 1972
22 February 1979
23 February 1970
23 February 1984
24 February 1948
24 February 1966
25 February 1948
25 February 1980
27 February 1844
27 February 1976
Colombia. Death of National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla leader and priest
Camilo Torres.
Lithuania. Independence Day.
Vietnam. Invasion by Chinese troops.
The Gambia. Independence Day.
Poland. People's republic established.
Nepal. King Tribhuan Memorial Day.
Egypt, Israel. Exchange of ambassadors.
Romania. Founding of Romanian Workers' Party.
Qatar. Coup d'etat that brought Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani to power.
St. Lucia. Independence Day.
Guyana. Republic Day.
Brunei. National Day.
Czechoslovakia. First Communist government formed.
Ghana. Liberation Day (overthrow of Nkrumah).
Kuwait. Independence Day.
Suriname. Day of Liberation and Renewal.
Dominican Republic. Independence Day.
Western Sahara. Founding of the Saharan Democratic Arab Republic (Polisario
government-in-exile).
Armenians. Terrorist Gouger Migirdic Yanikian of Armenian Secret Army for the
Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) dies of old age in California.
El Salvador. Leftists demonstrating against alleged election fraud in San Salvador
killed by security forces; Popular League of 28 February (LP-28) takes its name
from this event.
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Chronology of Terrorism-1985
this publication are not included.
Below are described noteworthy foreign and international events involving
terrorists, or the use of terrorist tactics, which have occurred or come to light
since our last issue. In some cases, the perpetrators and their motivations may not
be known. Events and developments that have already been described elsewhere in
bus.
Philippines: New People's Army guerrillas set fire to passenger bus at Tagnanan
Plantation. About 50 NPA attackers forced the bus into a rural area and had
passengers disembark, took the fare collection from the driver, and set fire to the
NPA.
Philippines: Five young farmers executed in separate incidents by New People's
Army members. The victims reportedly were killed because they refused to join the
operation."
South Africa: Explosion injures one man in Johannesburg central office district.
The blast came as security forces were carrying out a combined "crime prevention
Faction) is suspected.
Japan: New Tokyo International Airport hit by rocket attack. Police found four
projectiles, three of which had not gone off, in two abandoned buildings; no
damage or injuries resulted. The leftist terrorist group Chukaku-ha (Nucleus
South Africa: Arms cache discovered by police in Port Elizabeth. Forty-three men,
allegedly United Democratic Front supporters, were arrested. Among the weapons
found were pistols, spears, axes, gasoline bombs, and various homemade knives. F_
incident, which has not been confirmed.
Angola: UNITA claims 15 Soviet nationals killed by bomb in Huambo. The
target was a Soviet residence. There were no further details available on the
12 November Angola: Boobytrapped car blows up in suburban Huambo. The Agriculture
Ministry Building was damaged, but no casualties were reported.
20 November Japan: Explosion reveals four sets of launching devices near New Tokyo
International Airport watchtower. No damage or injuries were reported. The
leftist group Senki-ha (Battle Flag Faction) claimed credit for the incident.
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13 January 1986
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21 November United Kingdom: Sikhs critically wound president of Indian Overseas Congress
in Luton. Police have detained two Sikhs for questioning.
Mozambique: National Resistance Movement attacks residential area near
Andissene. The attackers reportedly killed approximately 50 civilians and
wounded several others.
Japan: Chiba irrigation control station bombed. The leftist group Senki-ha (Battle
Flag Faction) claimed responsibility. The facility manages and maintains the
Narita Hokuso irrigation system, part of the Narita Airport complex that has long
been the target of terrorist attacks.
Japan: Fires set at residences of three officials of Japan National Railways in
Chiba Prefecture. No injuries were reported. The leftist group Chukaku-ha
(Nucleus Faction), which had previously firebombed the homes of Narita Airport
officials, is believed responsible.
26 November Philippines: Five civilians killed, seven wounded in Zamboanga del Sur.
Authorities believe the attacks may have resulted from the victims' refusal to
cooperate with either the New People's Army or the Moro National Liberation
Front, both of which are active in the area.
Philippines: New People's Army members kill two fishermen in Abucay, Bataan.
The victims were known for their vocal opposition to the NPA.
29 November Spain: ETA ambushes two civil guard vehicles in convoy between Vitoria and
Bilbao. No injuries were reported.
Colombia: People's Liberation Army in Bogota renounces peace truce with
government. Members of the group occupied offices of a local news agency and
stated they would end the current peace talks because of the 20 November
assassination of their leader, Oscar William Calvo.
1 December Corsica: Two bombs explode in offices of state-owned electric company in Ajaccio.
Leaflets found at the scene were signed by the National Front for the Liberation of
Corsica. The bombing was an apparent protest against plans for a power cable
linking Corsica and Italy.
2 December Sri Lanka: Bomb explodes near Batticaloa police station. A young girl was
injured in the blast.
India: Pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party worker killed and robbed in Punjab.
The victim was attacked after he had withdrawn 5,000 rupees (about US $416)
from a bank in Ludhiana District. Sikh separatists are suspected.
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3 December Peru: Sendero Luminoso marks 51st birthday of its founder and leader, Abimael
Guzman, with barrage of dynamite attacks in Lima. Targets included the house of
the late Victor Raul Haya de la Torre, founder of the American Popular
Revolutionary Alliance Party; as well as 10 banks, a shopping center, eight
electrical towers, a judicial office, and various other sites-20 to 30 in all. No
injuries were reported.
government buildings, and city buses.
Chile: Bomb attacks shake Santiago, killing one and injuring nine. The Manuel
Rodriguez Front is believed responsible for the attacks against rail lines,
Sri Lanka: Civilian abducted and killed by Tamil guerrillas. The victim
reportedly had been reluctant to support the Eelam separatist movement.
delivered to the bank receptionist prior to the explosion.
Belgium: Briefcase containing bomb explodes at offices of the Bank of America in
Antwerp. The Communist Combatant Cells claimed responsibility in leaflets
Libyan involvement.
Togo: Explosions in Lome kill one, injure two. Bombings occurred near the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Surete Nationale and along railroad tracks.
An unexploded bomb, with French-language markings, was found near the site of
the first bombing, but government authorities suspect Ghanaian and possibly
equipment would facilitate monitoring US military police communications.
Authorities have not ruled out the possible involvement of a terrorist group.
West Germany: Radio and electronics equipment valued at $40,000 stolen from
US Army facility at Mannheim-Seckenheim. The theft is of concern because the
responsibility for the attack.
Philippines: Acting Abra Province vice governor assassinated. No one has claimed
6 December Belgium: CCC bombs NATO Central European pipeline valve station in
Petegram-Wortegem. The Communist Combatant Cells claimed credit for the
attack in a telephone call to police and then later in a communique found in
Brussels. No one was injured and damage was minimal.
Belgium: Bombing of Justice Palace in Liege kills one law student and wounds
four others. No group has claimed responsibility.
group of "Communist Internationalists" claimed responsibility for the attack.
France: Bomb explodes in building belonging to the Central Europe Operating
Agency in Versailles. The agency manages the network of NATO pipelines in
Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. A French
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West Germany: Red Army Faction periphery member sentenced for January 1985
bombing. Claudia Wannersdorfer was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for
her part in the bomb attack against the Zueblin construction company's computer
building in Vaihingen. Her companion was killed when the bomb, concealed in a
baby buggy, detonated prematurely.
Greece: Arson attack on mayor's official car in Athens claimed by the "Wild
Geese of the Cities. "The organization claimed that this attack was conducted to
protest the formation of a municipal police force.
Colombia: Downtown Bogota attack against Army bus leaves two dead, 11
wounded. The attack occurred exactly one month after members of the 19th of
April Movement (M-19) seized the Palace of Justice. The "guerrilla coordination,"
which consists of the M-19, the National Liberation Army, and other smaller
groups, claimed credit, saying that the attack was in response to the assassination
of People's Liberation Army leader Oscar William Calvo.
Philippines: New People's Army guerrillas kidnap 14 public works and highways
officials in Gingoog City. The hostages reportedly were taken to a rebel hideout in
Claveria; one of them is said to have been killed. The mayor has received a
100,000-peso ransom demand.
7 December France: Ministry of Justice office in Marseilles target of bombing attack. The
Corsican FLNC claimed responsibility in leaflets found at the scene
France: Bombs explode at two Paris department stores. One explosion at Galeries
Lafayette injured 37 persons; another at Printemps injured five. Claims of
responsibility were made by the Palestine Liberation Front, the Armenian Secret
Army for Liberation of Armenia, and the Islamic Jihad Organization.
Iran: Car bomb explodes in front of Shohada Hospital in northern Tehran. The
blast killed two and injured 18.
Colombia: Bomb explosion at Communist Party headquarters in Bogota seriously
injures one. An anonymous caller claimed responsibility for the attack in the name
of the People's Liberation Army.
8 December Iran: Bomb explodes in Tehran near offices of Islamic Republic News Agency.
One person was slightly injured.
South Africa: African National Congress suspected in unsuccessful attack on
Kwazulu official in Durban. The attacker fired shots at the house with a
semiautomatic rifle. Police later found cartridges from an AK-type rifle and an
unexploded handgrenade.
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South Africa: Bomb blast damages Durban post office. The explosion, caused by a
limpet mine, injured eight people and caused extensive damage to the building.
Although there has been no claim of responsibility, the African National Congress
is suspected.
10 December Lebanon: Beirut kidnapers free two Lebanese professors at American University.
The motive for the three-day-long kidnaping appears to have been for revenge
rather than for political purposes. Their release-which took place at the home of
Hizballah "spiritual leader" and terrorist chieftain Muhammad Husayn
Fadlallah-probably resulted from pressure by American University personnel,
who threatened to go on strike if the two were not released.
Pakistan: Four members of Afghan resistance killed, seven wounded in bomb
explosion in Peshawar. It is not known whether Afghan intelligence personnel,
suspected in similar bombings, were responsible.
Philippines: Homemade bomb injures five at antigovernment rally at Malcolm
Square in Baguio City. The rally was being held to celebrate the 37th anniversary
of UN Human Rights Day.
11 December Italy: Two homemade bombs explode in church in Assisi. No group has claimed
responsibility.
12 December South Africa: Handgrenade explodes in parking lot of Cape Town meat
distributing firm. No one was injured in the blast.F__1 25X1
Sri Lanka: Bomb explodes on train at railway yard in Maradana. A train from
Jaffna had just dropped its passengers at the Colombo Fort Railway Station when
the bomb went off. No one was injured and no one has claimed responsibility for
13 December West Germany: Fire bombs at Zueblin construction firm in Zuffenhausen cause
estimated US $100,000 damage. No group has claimed responsibility, but police
believe the Red Army Faction may be responsible.
Namibia: Letter bomb injures two African National Congress members and
Zambian in Lusaka. The bomb was believed to have been mailed from Botswana
or Zambia and went off as the victim opened it. ANC officials have charged that
the South African Government was responsible.
14 December India: Transistor radio bomb kills boy in Durgapur. It was the first transistor
bomb explosion in West Bengal. Similar attacks by Sikh militants have occurred in
Punjab, New Delhi, and surrounding states.
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16 December Spain: Terre Lliure claims responsibility for attempted bombing near Barcelona
police station. Police disarmed the device after receiving a tip. In a second
incident, a Terre Lliure terrorist was killed when a bomb exploded prematurely.
India: Unidentified gunmen kill General Secretary of district youth congress in
Punjab's Ludhiana District. No arrests have been made, but Sikh separatists are
suspected.
Philippines: Convoy of logging firm workers ambushed by the Moro National
Liberation Front. Sixteen workers were reported killed and another 35 were
wounded. It was the first major attack by the MNLF since it vowed to revive its
separatist campaign.
17 December Cyprus: Police arrest two heavily armed Palestinians believed to be planning
hijacking of Swiss plane in Larnaca. Sami Anis Maroun Nasser, who carried a
Jordanian passport, was arrested trying to board the plane in Larnaca with pistols
and grenades concealed in wine bottles. Yezio Gasper Sayiagh, a US passport
holder, was arrested the following day in his apartment in Limassol with additional
weapons and wine bottles. The individuals' group affiliation is not yet known.
Malta: Bomb damages Libyan cultural center. The attack on the Libyan facility
in Valletta occurred across the street from the Presidential Palace. Since the bomb
was placed inside the building-where it did little damage-the attack probably
was not directed against the Maltese Government. No group has claimed
responsibility, although anti-Qadhafi Libyan exiles or Palestinians are likely
perpetrators.
Secret 32
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