Terrorism

Novacescu Elena, Studii de securitate, anul I

“Terrorism is the main threat to the modern world of the XXI century, influenced
by the development of globalization and its capacity to potentiate disease to international
security and stability more than ever in history”1. It existed for centuries, but it become
more important with the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 in the United States of
America and the launch of the Global War Against Terrorism.

“Explanatory Dictionary of Romanian language” explains the etymology of the

term “terrorism” as coming from the French “Terrorism”which means “all acts of
violence committed by a group or an organization to create a climate of insecurity, or to
change the form of government a state”2. However there is no clear definition of
terrorism home use, it is highly disputed, making the fight against this scourge that
affects the whole society to be very difficult. The term “terrorism” is politically loaded
one being viewed as evil in all cultures and countries. Most times, those who commit acts
of violence will be called “guerrillas”,”freedom fighters”or “soldiers”, but those who are
attacked often call them “terrorists”3. The term “terrorism” was coined during the French
Revolution to describe the use of force by the French revolutionary government to
eliminate opponents and intimidate the opposition.
In the twentieth century terrorist groups were divided into two categories
according to the political goals pursued by the terrorists: ethno-nationalist groups like the
Irish Republican Army (IRA) or the Palestine Liberation Organization and ideological-
revolutionary groups like the Red Brigade and Baader-Meinhof gang. An important role
is ocupped in XX and XXI centuries by religious terrorists like Al Qaeda group. Even if

1
Maior George Cristian, Incertitudine, gandire strategica si relatii internationale in secolul XXI, Rao,
2009, p. 207.
2
Dictionarul explicativ al limbii romane, Bucuresti, edit. Univers enciclopedic, 1998, p.1088.
3
Robinson Paul, Dicţionar de securitate, edit. CA Publishing, 2010, p. 227.

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they could have weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, terrorists often choose suicide
terrorism which was used for the first time in 80 years by Hezbollah (Hezbollah) in
Lebanon and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka. The best known
example of terrorist suicide are terrorist attacks in the U.S. on the World Trade Center
and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Over time there is a decrease in terrorist attacks
worldwide, but there is a substantial increase in the number of suicide attacks and
casualties, thus demonstrating that some terrorist groups are much more concerned to do
evil than to take action discrimination.

1. Suicidal Terroris
Suicidal terrorism is that form of terrorism involving suicide terrorists involved in
the attack. Suicide is most often accomplished by detonating explosives attached to the
body or by detonation of explosives in the vehicle traveling terrorists. A special event
held on September 11, 2001 when he was not used any of those two methods, but were
diverted planes collided in various buildings. Since 2003 there was an increase of suicide
terrorist attacks, which brings to mind the fact that the terrorists consider this method
effective.

2.Counter-Terrorism
“Counter- Terrorism strategies are all designed to limit and, if possible to
eliminate terrorism. There are two types of anti-terrorist strategy: “The War” and
“criminal justice model”. The first refers to the campaign against terrorism as war-related
with the global war on terrorism by the U.S. in 2001, initially covered in this model. This
implies that terrorists should be fought by military means is letting no room for
negotiation, which proves defective because of military attacks are not a lasting solution.
The second model considers that the solution to terrorism is a political problem and not a
military, governments should seek treatment as any terrorist violence by organized crime
problem, not making any difference between a terrorist and every defendant. In fact, most
terrorist campaigns lies a combination of the two models approach each case will depend
largely on the circumstance”4.
4
Ibidem, p. 55.

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 3. National terrorist alert system
“On 15 April 2004, the Supreme Defence Council approved the proposed national
terrorist alert Romanian Intelligence Service, as appropriate means to prevent, deter and
combat the preparation and conduct any attacks in Romania”5. It comprises five
ascending levels of alert (1-green, 2 blue, 3 yellow, 4 -orange, 5-red) and refers to the
dangers of terrorist attacks, according to the information held.

5. CRITICAL - and recent information available shows that there is an imminent

risk of attack.
4. HIGH - and recent information available shows that there is a significant
risk of terrorist attacks and the production is estimated that an attack is likely.
3. MODERATE - and recent information available suggests that there are
general risk of terrorist attacks and the production is estimated that an attack
is possible.
2. CAREFUL - Available data and recent estimates there is a low risk of
occurrence of a terrorist attack.
1. LOW - The information available and recent estimates that an attack is
unlikely.
Source: S.R.I

5. Bioterrorism
Terrorism Chemical, biological, or nuclear film business is no longer science
fiction. According to some analysts, the risk of using such weapons is growing, given the
increasing ethnic and religious violence and human rights violations. According to others,
the possibility of a terrorist attack with biological weapons, for example, are reduced, but
pulling alarm signals disastrous consequences unless immediate action is taken.
Bioterrorism is the use or threat of use of viruses, bacteria, fungi or toxins,
microorganisms with the declared intention to cause illness or death of human beings,
animals and plants in order to achieve certain objectives. The effects of bioterrorism and

5
www. Sri.ro, Sistemul naţional de alertă teroristă, http://www.sri.ro/subpagini/8/sistemul-national-de-
alerta-terorista.html accesat la data de 8.04.2011.

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public health are significant only in the event that the number of people involved would
be reduced.
“Following the terrorist attacks in recent years the EU has adopted a proactive
approach, reviewing existing systems of protection and minimizing threats to public
health. The main objectives of the EU in this area relates to better cooperation between
Member States in terms of risk assessment, the Early Warning and Response System, and
to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances. It also follows that when
such accidents occur, the adverse consequences on public health and the environment is
limited in a uniform and efficient manner.”6 The society remains highly vulnerable to
bioterrorism and chemical terrorist attacks, in the next step, it will multiply and will
diversify the effects being particularly severe.

6. Conclusion
Terrorist threats are highly topical and provides that the time is to diversify or
even worse, not disappear. Terrorism is puzzled element of the contemporary world and
even if it makes its presence felt more than now, has existed for centuries, evolving along
with society in which we live.

References:
1. Dictionarul explicativ al limbii romane, Bucuresti, edit. Univers enciclopedic, 1998
2. Maior George Cristian, Incertitudine, gandire strategica si relatii internationale in
secolul XXI, Ed. Rao, 2009
3. Robinson Paul, Dicţionar de securitate, edit. CA Publishing, 2010, p. 227.
4. Bioterorism, Portalul Uniunii Europene dedicat sănătăţii publice,
http://ec.europa.eu/health-eu/health_in_the_eu/prevention_and_promotion/index_ro.htm
(Access date 8 Apr. 2011)

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Bioterorism, Portalul Uniunii Europene dedicat sănătăţii publice, http://ec.europa.eu/health-
eu/health_in_the_eu/prevention_and_promotion/index_ro.htm (Access date 8 Apr. 2011)

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5. Sistemul naţional de alertă teroristă, www. Sri.ro,
http://www.sri.ro/subpagini/8/sistemul-national-de-alerta-terorista.html ( Access date 8
Apr.2011)