NSDD ON COUNTERTERRORISM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B00248R000100090004-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 28, 2011
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: May 18, 1984
• Content Type: MISC

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Executive Registry
184- 01,2 72
Off'
4 1
18 May 1984
MEMORANDUM TO: Director, Intelligence Community Staff
National Intelligence Officer for Counterterrorism
FROM: Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: NSDD on Counterterrorism
The two of you should get together to finalize the submission
to the NSC in response to the NSDD on counterterrorism. 0 has 25X1
done a fine piece of work in pulling together ideas and capabilities
from all over the Community. The DDCI suggests that it should be a
Community staff document instead of ai NIO document. You will see my
comments on the draft attached.
Attachment:
Draft as stated
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91377
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 5, 1984
SECRET
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c.oPy
MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF TREASURY
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE COUNSELLOR TO THE PRESIDENT
THE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT
THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE VICE PRESIDENT
THE CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STA.: F
SUBJECT: National Security Decision Directive (NSDD-136)
Combatting Terrorism (S)
The President has formally approved the attached National
Security Decision Directive (NSDD-1.38) on measures to be taken by
the USG to combat terrorism. Copies of this directive may not be
reproduced. Please ensure proper handling of this document and
the attached directive to prevent unauthorized disclosure. (S)
Attachment
NSDD-138
SECRET
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TOP SECRET/5EN51'rl"r. 91377
THE WHITE HOUSE
Nationat Secu'c.Lzy
Dee.aion Di.nective 138
April 3, 1984
COMBATTING TERRORISM (U)
U.S. citizens and installations, especially abroad, are
increasingly being targetted for terrorist acts. These attacks
result from activities by state-sponsored terrorist movements,
international terrorist organizations and groups, and individual
terrorists operating without obvious support. Terrorist
activities not only endanger our citizens and interests, but
result in the destabilization and polarization of democratic and
friendly governments. Of particular concern is the possibility
that international terrorist movements and some of those which
enjoy state sponsorship are receiving support and perhaps
guidance directly or indirectly from the Soviet Union.
International terrorist activity, as referred to in this
directive, includes conspiring about, planning for or conducting
terrorist acts by trans-national groups, whether the activity
occurs in the U.S. or abroad. (S)
The U.S. Government program to prevent, counter, and combat
terrorism must be significantly enhanced to reduce the threat to
U.S. citizens and foreign nationals in the United States who
enjoy our protection. We must also seek to ameliorate the
subversive effect of terrorism on foreign democratic institutions
and pro-Western governments. Our program must include measures
which will deter terrorist attacks, improve protection for those
threatened, and reduce the effectiveness of those attacks which
do occur. Domestic programs to deal with terrorist activities in
the United States must be continuously-reviewed and assessed in
order to identify useful improvements. This policy must be
supported by improved intelligence, by political and diplomatic
actions, and by improved response capabilities. (TS)
This NSDD provides guidance for developing a long-term, two-
phased program for achieving these objectives in accord with the
provisions of Executive Order 12333 of December 4, 1981, and
other applicable laws and statutes. Phase I will commence
immediately and conclude December 31, 10,84. Phase 11 will
consist of those measures to be taken after January 1, 1985. The
following principles will guide implementation in both phases:
(S)
The U.S. Government considers the practice of t.cricri.sm by
any person or group in any cause a thr~ to c,-,r national
security and will resist the use of terrorism by all legal
means available. (U)
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? Terrorism i. a common problem or all d riecra t '.c _. Lcnc .
s
t?,e will work intensively with others to _ ne tr:e threat
our , 1
of terrorism to o.,ay of line. Stat'?s pr.:cice.
terrorism or actively support it, will not t ra ll :;wed t c, do
so without conserquience. All available
communication will be us:ee;l to persuade -)w practicing
or supporting terrorism to desist. Assistance erid support
shall be provided to those democratic nations suffering
intimidation because of terrorist threats or activities.
U)
? State-sponsored terrorist activity or directed threats of
such action are considered to be hostile acts and the U.S.
will hold sponsors accountable. Whenever we have evidence
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.
(U)
? Intelligence collection against groups and states involved
in international terrorism must be improved in order to
better prevent or counter attacks; warn our citizens,
friends, and allies; and, thereby, reduce th,:. risk to them.
(U)
? Acts of'state-sponsored and organized terrorism should be
appropriately exposed and condemned in every available
forum. (U)
PHASE I. The following near-terra actions, by key departments and
agencies of the U.S. Government, are designed to immediately
reduce the threat to U.S. citizens, interests, and property
accord with the guidance above. To this end, the f,-:1l-ow nc
measures are directed to be fully implemented by December. 3?,
1984:
? The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary
of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney
General, the Director of Central Intelligence, and the
Director OMB, shall: (C)
-- Secure expeditious passage of legislative instruments
to implement the provisions of extant international
accords on terrorism to which the United States is
signatory. Measures should also be taken to carry out
appropriate bilateral and multilateral exchanges
leading toward improved cooperation on combatting
terrorism, especially with those states having an
established counter-terrorist capability. (C)
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Provide, through applicable lehinlative authorities,
resources, facilities; and services required to support
expanded counter-terrorism training for the civil/Domestic
security services of other friendly goverrrnents. (C)
-- Develop a full range of options for dealing directly
with terrorism, both at the threat stage and after such
acts are carried out. This should include a program
for expanding existing sanctions against those
organizations or states which support or export
terrorism. It should also incorporate improved visa
processing systems and procedures which will permit the
U.S. to deny access to its territory to individuals who
represent such organizations or states. (S)
r The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary
of State, Director of Central Intelligence, and the Attorney
General, shall:
-- Continue improvements in the U.S. capability to conduct
military operations to counter terrori_ri directed
against U.S. citizens, military forces, property, and
interests. (S)
-- Develop a military strategy that is supportive of an
active, preventive program to combat state-sponsored
terrorism before the terrorists can initiate hostile
acts. (S)
Develop a full range of military options to combat
terrorism throughout the entire terrorist threat
spectrum. (S)
Develop a broad range of defensive measures to protect
military forces, dependents, and facilities worldwide.
(S)
? The Attorney General shall enhance collection, analysis, and
dissemination of intelligence information on terrorist
movements, organizations, and activities within the United
States. To the extent necessary, the Attorney General and
the Director of Central intelligence shall maintain close
liaison in these matters to ensure that the intelligence
activities of their respective agencies are properly
coordinated. (TS)
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? The Director of Central Intelligence, in consultation with
the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and Defense and the
Attorney General, shall: (C)
Enhance foreign collection, analysis, and dissemination
of information on state-sponsored terrorist
organizations and anti-Western international terrorist
movements/ groups including relationships with hostile
intelligence services. This effort shall include a
prioritization of those terrorist organizations
(whether or not state-sponsored) which are most
threatening to the U.S. and an assessment of their
potential vulnerabilities. (S)
Develop, in coordination with other friendly security
services, capabilities for the pre-emptive neutral-
ization of anti-American terrorist groups which
plan, support, or conduct hostile teric:?.i_t act..
against U.S. citizens, interests, and property
overseas. (S)
Develop a clandestine service capability, using all
lawful means, for effective response overseas against
terrorist acts committed against U.S. citizens,
facilities, or interests. (TS/S)
Provide a new Finding on combatting terrorism which
includes, inter alia, lawful measures to:
Increase cooperation with the security agencies of
other friendly goiernments. (S)
Unilaterally and/or in concert with other
countries neutralize or counter terrorist
organizations and terrorist leaders. (TS/S)
Develop an information exploitation program, aimed
at disrupting and demoralizing terrorist groups.
(S)
The Director of Central Intelligence is charged with the overall
responsibility for developing a comprehensive and coordinated
action plan to implement the steps above during Cy-84. This
action plan shall include milestones and attainable objectives
aimed at commencing an active campaign to combat terrorism as
soon as practicable. This plan shall be fully ccnsi:.tent with
all provisions of Executive Order 12333 and other lal_- :licabie laws
and statutes. (S)
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Recommendations for increased resource requirements should
accompany the plan. This plan,. finding, and resource
recommendations shall be forwarded for review by the NSPG no
later than May 31, 1984. (S)
Once this plan, prepared by the DCI, has received Presidential
approval, its implementation during Phase I will be monitored by
the Terrorist Incident Working Group (TIWG), established in
NSDD-30. The mandate of the TIWG is hereby amended to include
these responsibilities and the TIWG Chairmanship is hereby
modified to include the Assistant to the President and Director
of Special Support Services as co-Chairman. The TIWG will meet
on a ,regular basis on these matters and provide periodic reports
to the NSPG on implementation of these measures. (S)
A coherent effort and plan to combat terrorism requires that the
United States Government not only take action against known
terrorists, but improve its ability to protect its people and
facilities as well. These initiatives shall be implemented
concurrently to preclude unnecessary risk.. Accordingly, in
addition to those steps outlined above, the following protective,
security, and enforcement measures are directed for implementation
during Phase I:. (S)
? The Secretaries of State and Defense shall ac=celerate
security improvements in overseas locations to reduce the
threat of terrorist action. (S)
? The Secretaries of State, Defense, and Treasury, in
coordination with the Attorney Genera]., and other
appropriate agency heads, shall take action to improve
protection/security of personnel and facilities in the U.S.
under their purview to reduce their vulnerability to
terrorist attack. (C)
? The Secretaries of State and Defense, in coordination with
the Director of Central Intelligence, shall strengthen
procedures for dissemination of terrorist warning
information to threatened missions and units. To ensure the
effectiveness of these measures, the Director of Central
Intelligence shall develop improved procedures for the
continuous, systematic assessment of intelligence on
terrorist groups, movements, and individuals. (C)
? Departments and agencies with personnel in areas vulnerable
to terrorist action shall pursue mandatory programs for
improved awareness and security training. (U)
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? The Attorney General, in cor.sultat:ion with Secretaries
of State, Defense, and Treasury, and other L3-:?,ncy heads as
appropriate, shall develop streamlined oper,.:.ional plans for
deterring and responding to terrorist threats against
prominent locations/events in the United States which could
be likely targets for terrorist attack. (C)
e The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of
Treasury and other appropriate agency heads, shall also
continue to:
Enhance coordination, analysis, and dissemination of
federal law enforcement information regarding terrorist
activities and the presence of foreign or international
terrorists in the United States. (C)
Enhance cooperation among federal law enforcement
agencies and state and local authorities in the
investigation and prosecution of crimes committed by
terrorists. (C)
A consolidated plan to implement these Phase I security,
protection, and enforcement initiatives shall be prepared by the
Interdepartmental Group on Terrorism (IG/T) for review by the
NSPG no later than May 31, 1984. This plan should include
recorrmendations for increased resources required by the
departments and agencies to implement this program. (S)
All plans submitted for review by the NSPC should describe
actions already taken and resources applied in 1983, legislative
initiatives, and programs currently planned and underway for
1984-1989. The strengths and weaknesses of currently planned
programs should be delineated and analyses should be provided
explaining the need for additional resources. Where appropriate,
financing alternatives, including offset proposals, should be
provided. (S)
Phase II
A second phase of this national program to combat terrorism
shall commence on January 1, 1985. This phase is designed to
imnrcve capabilities, organization, and management that will
further protect U.S. interests, citizens, and facilities from
acts of terrorism. (S)
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The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs will
convene an interagency group comprised of representatives of the
depart-. nts of State, Treasury, Defense, JucticV, the DCI, 014B,
and White House Office of Special Support f,er.v.cces to develop
recomnendations on improving the overall mm.:nager' nt of national
programs for assessing, combatting, and countering international
terrorism. This group shall also recommend any chin-:;es that
should be made in the planning, integration, anrd over t'- ; gt' t
arrangements for terrorism countermeasures. Tht:sc~ recom;ne;nda-
tions to improve the program during Phase II should be presented
for review by the NSPG by July 31, 1984. (S)
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