Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings

(Panama) Past terrorism, include 1972 slaughter of Israeli Olympic team at Munich, West Germany, by USSR -trained Palestinians, 1975 Croatian bombing at NYC's La Guardia airport in effort to gain independence from Yugoslavia, IRA (Irish Republican Army) bombing in London and PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) attack on school in Maalot, Israel, recalled; films shown. [Terrorism expert Yonah ALEXANDER - calls modern terrorism new form of warfare.] Sophistication of current terrorist activity examined; related statistics for 1978-1980 listed on screen; details from CIA report on international assassinations incld. Groups such as CIA-trained Omega 7 (an anti-Castro organization), USSR -supported and Libya-trained Palestinian orgs., and Japanese Red Army examined. [Ambassador Anthony QUAINTON - comments on change in "fashionable tactics" of terrorists.] This week's hijacking in Damascus said antiquated; details given. Boost to terrorists by seizure of United States embassy in Iran discussed. [QUAINTON - questions terrorists looking for new tactics.] [International consultant on terrorism, Robert KUPPERMAN - predicts hit-and-run operations; elaborates.] No. of attacks in past years directed at US citizens and/or United States property noted. [KUPPERMAN - notes influence of US media.] [ALEXANDER - cites lack of guarantees against terrorists' use of nuclear capabilities.] Reagan administration's stance on Latin American mentioned.
REPORTER: John McWethy