(EST PUB DATE) TERRORIST USE OF SEMTEX: A CURRENT THREAT ASSESSMENT

• Document Type: FOIA
• Keywords: BOMBING
• Keywords: PAN AM 103
• Keywords: LOCKERBIE SCOTLAND
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0001519010
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 21
• Document Creation Date: June 22, 2015
• Document Release Date: August 13, 2009
• Case Number: F-2008-00593
• Publication Date: June 1, 1990

tirectorate of
Intelligence
Terrorist Use of Semtex:
A Current Threat Assessment
APPROVED FOR
RELEASE^DATE:
04-Aug-2009
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Secret
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June 1990
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National Security
Information
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Unauthorized Disclosure
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controlled by originator
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WN WNINTEL-Intelligence sources or methods involved
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All material on this page
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girectorate of
Intelligence
Terrorist Use of Semtex:
A Current Threat Assessment (S NF)
This paper was prepared by John Racoosin, Office
of Global Issues. Comments and queries are welcome
and may be directed to the Chief, International
Security Issues Division, OGI, on 482-5541 or secure
52003. (u)
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Summary
Information available
as of l April 1990
was used in this report.
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The spokesman repeated that Czechoslovakia has not The revelation was all the more baffling because
supplied, is not supplying, and will not supply the Czechoslovakia's Communists have failed to reveal
Semtex explosive to any terrorist organization, and whether they supplied terrorist quartermasters such
recalled. that it has not been exporting it for several as Libya directly.... Mr. Novi and his senior manag-
years. ers hinted that Libya got supplies from a third
party.... For the first time. Mr. Novi disclosed
- FBIS London, reporting on state- production figures for the plastic explosivefavored by
ment by Czechoslovak Foreign Min- the IRA [Irish Republican Army] and Arab terrorists.
istry spokesman Ivan Kulhanek The Synthesia factory in the village ofSemtin makes
12 January 1989 100 tons a year.
We accept the Czechoslovak Government's assurance
that they do not export explosives to terrorists. We
understand that they no longer export Semtex and
have not done so since 1982.
The Daily Telegraph, London, 10
February 1990, quoting British offi-
cials In 1989 following a visit to
London by Czechoslovak explosives
experts in the wake of the Pan Am
Flight 103 bombing.
- The Daily Telegraph, London
10 February 1990
Semtex is produced in Czechoslovakia.... the past
regime exported 1,000 tons to Libya. Ifyou consider
200 grams is enough to blow up an aircraft, this
means world terrorism has enough to last 150 years.
- Czechoslovak President Vaclav
Havel quoted by the London
Press Association
22 March 1990
The last export to non-COMECON[CEMA] coun-
tries took place in 1981; the last export to COME-
CON ICEMAJ nations in 1988.
- Jiri Novi, Semtex Factory Director,
quoted by The Daily Telegraph,
London
9 February 1990
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Appendix B
An Explosives Primer
An explosive can be defined as a substance or mixture
of substances that, when suitably initiated and with-
out external reactants, undergoes rapid chemical de-
composition with resultant release of heat and expan-
sion of gases.
Explosive compounds can exist as liquids, solids, or
gases, but all have the basic construction of fuel
(usually hydrogen and/or carbon) bonded with oxygen
(usually in nitrogen groups), all on the same molecule.
The proximity of fuel and oxygen creates the explo-
sive effect-very rapid decomposition (oxidation) with
no need for a separate, external oxygen source; yet
explosives are stable enough to require externally
initiated detonation.
Explosives can be divided into two general classifica-
tions-high and low explosives. High explosives de-
compose at a rate faster than the speed of sound of the
material (detonation); low explosives burn at a slower
rate. High explosives are a very convenient source of
power and are used in most demolition applications.
One kilogram of a typical modern plastic high explo-
sive can generate 5,000 megawatts of power for the
duration of its explosive reaction. Such a charge can
occupy a volume less than 4 inches square, remain
unaffected in storage for years, and cost approximate-
ly $2.
Explosives factories commonly manufacture several
versions of an explosive type:
? Commercial explosives can be more sensitive, less
durable, and less versatile than military explosives,
because of the controlled circumstances in which
they are used. Industrial uses for explosives include
quarrying, mining, and tunnel/road construction,
where single blasts using tens of tons of high
explosives are not uncommon.
? Military explosives for field use (as opposed to
explosives used to fill ordnance) must be easy to
transport and safe to handle under adverse condi-
tions. Large-scale uses include breaching of natural
barriers and demolition of manmade structures, as
well as military engineer versions of traditional
industrial applications.
Plastic bonded explosives such as Semtex and the US-
made composition C-4 are made of explosive com-
pounds mixed with binders and plasticizers. The
plastic qualities make these explosives ideal for mili-
tary use: they are easily formed into desired shapes
and sizes necessary for storage, transport, and opera-
tional use. They are durable, are insensitive until
properly detonated, and can be stored for long periods
of time.
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