MASS DESTRUCTION TERRORISM CRISIS MANAGEMENT STUDY (STATUS REPORT NO. 2)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-74-2-17-9
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 4, 2010
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: June 25, 1975
• Content Type: MEMO

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MEMORANDUM
- 'y 4384
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
INFORMATION
June 25, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: GENERAL SCOWCROFT ~~
'FROM: CLINTON E. GRANGERC$'
SUBJECT: Mass Destruction Terrorism Crisis, Management
Study (Status Report No. 2)
The ad hoc Study Group of the Working Group to Combat Terrorism has adopted
terms of reference (Tab A) which closely parallels the earlier preliminary draft
provided you (Tab B). The approved terms of referrence are in complete con-
sonance with our objectives.
The real work of the Study Group is now under way. The departments and
agencies represented on the Study Group are preparing contributions (Tab C),
due later this week. I will offer comments and suggestions on various topics as
appropriate. After the contributions are received, a rough first draft of a
report will be prepared and distributed for comments. The Study Group still
hopes to complete its work in late July or early August, but I suspect that
September is a more accurate prediction.
As I noted in my June 11th memo on this subject, the study is being conducted
with as low a profile as possible. However, word of this effort has apparently
reached the Hill, as predicted. Inquiries by Senate staffers have been received
by the Chairman of the Study Group. In order to be prepared to answer further
inquiries, a guidance paper has been prepared by State (Tab D). We have
nothing to hide in the conduct of this study, indeed the Executive Branch would
be derelict in its duty if it did not, and this comes across well in the guidance
paper.
I will keep you informed of the progress of this effort.
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 A o
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FOOFFICIAL USE ONLY .
DRAF=T REVISED TERMS OF REFERENCE
1.3 JUN 1275
MASS DESTRUCTION TCRRORI SId CR 1 S I S MANAGE'riENT 1 EV i CW
Background:
Secretary Kissinger, In his May 12 speech in St. Louis: warned that
"as nuclear weapons proliferate, nuclear catastrophe looms more plausible
~- whether through design or miscalculatton, accident, theft, or black-
mail.rt His statement is a reflection of the increasing attention which.
has been paid over the past several years,.ialcluding by a number of?Congres-
sional committees, to the potential for terrorist. threats involving material
capable of Inflicting mass casualties, particularly the threat of nuclear
terrorism but also that of chemical and biological , agents.
Thus for, the focus of Executive Branch efforts to combat this threat
has been upon nuclear weapons and materials physical security and account-
ing procedures, as well as immediate response procedures in the event such
measures are unsuccessful.- in addition, however, it is Important to review,
procedures and guidelines for 'managing the over-all USG response should -
terrorist use, or threaten to use-mass destruction means.
Review Group:
Under the auspices of the Working Group of the Cabinet Committee tO
Pombat Terrorism, a review group Is hereby formed to conduct an initial
inquiry into the problem of management of a crisis involving a terrorist
threat to use (or the actual use of) mass destruction. means i.n order determine what, If any, further study/review.is required. The review,
group will be composed of representatives. of.the Department of State, the
Department of Defense.(ISA), the FBI, the NSC Staff, the Office of
'Q ~U ~ '~YONLY
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FOR 7 s_I, USONL Y
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pre rectn~.ss (GSA), the Energy Rcsea ch'rand Development Administration
pa
(ERDA), and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The review group will be
chaired by Mr. Robert,.-Kupperman, acting on behalf of the Chairman'
.CCCT/WG.
Review scope*
The'review- begins at the point at 'which a credible terrorist' threat
involving the possible use of nuclear or other means of mass destruction
has been identiified. It will address the problem in broad general. terms,
keeping detail to the minimum necessary to develop major points.
Review Agenda:
established pfocedures for managing the crisis created
1.* Survey
by a credible terrorist threat to use means of mass destruction; (e.g?,
Jurisdictions, communications, coordination, decision-making, public
relations). -
-2. Survey planning work In progress or contemplated which Is relevant
to the problem of managing such a.crisis.
3. Develop the key policy issues and management problems which are
associated with the problem.
.1ii Identify those policy Issues/management problems which should,
be studied in greater detail.?and make recommendations on the manner and
forum in which such studies should be pursued.
The review group should submit a report covering the above areas
to the Working Group of the Cabinet Committee to Combat Terrorism by mid
July 1975.
Robert A. Fearey, C~,al rman
Working Group/Cabinet Committee
to Combat Terrorism
FOR OFFICIAL USE DULY
Xn,rY" 1 1 1-' 14 ) i . ) r..\ I A I k-11 `J I I UY.1. i I
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Ir
June 2, 1975
TERMS OF REFERENCE
MASS DESTRUCTION TERRORISM CRISIS MANAGEMENT STUDY
Background
Secretary Kissinger, in his May 12 speech in St. Louis,
warned that'"as nuclear weapons proliferate, nuclear catas-
trophe looms more plausible -- whether through design or
miscalculation, accident, theft, or blackmail." His statement
is a reflection of the increasing attention which has been
paid over the past several years, including by a number of
Congressional committees, to the potential for terrorist
threats involving weapons capable of inflicting mass fatali-
ties, particularly the threat of nuclear terrorism but also
that of chemical and biological agents.
Thus far the focus of Executive Branch efforts to combat
this threat has been upon nuclear weapons and materials physical
security and accounting measures. Relatively little attention
has been paid to the question of what the USG should do in the
event these measures are unsuccessful and nuclear (or other
mass fatality) weapons are stolen by terrorists or terrorists
are able to assemble such'weapons. Carefully developed proced-
ures and guidelines for managing the response of the USG to
terrorists threats to employ such weapons should be established.
-Study Group
Under the auspices of the Working Group of the Cabinet
Committee to Combat Terrorism, a study group is hereby formed
to prepare a preliminary assessment of the operational problems
the USG can anticipate in the event of terrorists plausibly
threatening to employ y'ir.a~nt of,ms alestruction, and to
G~ A L..Y.Y {c r +f ^C' frM LP
make recommendation s su anti$.ve g~ivernmentaI actions.
The study group will^ be composed of representatives of the
Department of State (ACDA), the Department of Defense (ISA),
the FBI, the NSC Staff, the Office of Preparedness (GSA), the
Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), and the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The study group will be chaired
by the representative of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament
Agency.
Study Agenda
The study group will:
view the current 5wwce
"uacy.=o?..~'domestic and inter-
national mechanisms for responding to a terrorist threat
involving nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.
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? -z- ?
-- Survey planning work presently available or in
preparation which may be relevant to the management probl,ems_
and policy issues which would face the USG both domestically'
and internationally in the event of such a crisis.
-- Identify those key policy issues and management
problems which should be studied in greater detail in order
that specific recommendations for substantive USG action in
this area might be developed.
-- Make recommendations on the manner in which these
issues and problems can receive detailed examination and on
how the results of this work should be evaluated and applied
to the development of specific recommendations for USG action
both domestically and internationally.
The study group should submit a report covering the
above areas to the Working Group of the Cabinet Committee to
Combat Terrorism by mid-July 1975.
Robert A. Fearey, Chairman
Working Group/Cabinet Committee
to Combat Terrorism
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
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6/12/75
It. H. Kupperman
It A F T
OUTLINE
MASS DESTRUCTION TERRORISM STUDY
A. Introduction
B. The Threat
1. Effects of nuclear explosive, radiological,
hemical, and biological weapons
CDC ~,~~A A/&L)
2. Re*x sentative scenarios
-- -~ ---- - -~ vim. ``%
C. Mass estru tlion Ex~or ions t. Date
D. Review of Relevant Agency Authorities and Activities
to Date t lt, k I~..4 C.A..G.??.s
(cam/~o)
E. Domestil Management Concerns
1. "The Government Nervous System" and information flow
requirements -- II t A
g
a. Interagency communication
((// c. s C a rid i .: a le W i..l fit-. 'r O
ships
b. Fedora, state and to al roles and relation.
c. Publ'i'c A ai s
4hvCP- 14; FS Z1 OP)
d. International cooperation and aid
2. Assessing the threat
a. Technical advice and support
b. Threat ve-rifi .tion
c. Evaluating po sible consequences of the threat
I
A/ P
_
I" < 4 ., ; c.,
Political and behavioral threat assessment
political fanatics, criminals psychotics?
e. Bargaining considerations (money,Vplitical
(far - ~ .; S,l fie. ? t4 -
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F. Internat oval Operations - many of the same considerations
outlined'in Domestic Management apply to international
threats.
1. International communications - sharing of data banks,
technical information and personnel
2. Support to threatened foreign governments - assistance
arrangements with allies and others
3. Foreign intelligence generation
IVi , 'k')
4. International coopera ion and agreements
a. Extradition agreements (eliminating safe havens)
and uniform penalties
b. Sanctions against non-cooperating nations
c. Indemnification for risks taken on behalf of
other nations
d. International Institutions
3. Continency mechanisms
(all =_eje:,
4. fP-&~IDiSaster Operations, a.u
2. Search and seizure issues
( A st.e'_,e._ c- ~NtT3ti 4,. T)
1. Invasion of Privacy
d" sVe 4, ~
ide3~_- -_ ens, ~uwc~r
G. Lega1
`
3. Mechanisms for payoff
(e. I.,; ft e.,l rraJ, c j
for Further Study
H. Conclusions and Recommendations
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Response to Queries
The Cabinet Committee to Combat Terrorism and its
subordinate Working Group are responsible for considering
the most effective means to prevent terrorism here and abroad,
and for taking the lead within the Government in establishing
procedures to ensure that the Government can take appropriate
action in response to acts of terrorism swiftly and
effectively.
There is a possibility that the Government may in the
indeterminate future be faced with credible terrorist threats
involving weapons or materials of mass destruction. In
pursuance of its normal responsibilities the Cabinet Committee/
Working Group recently established a Study Group to conduct
an initial examination of the relevant issues and policy
considerations connected with management of such threats.
The Study Group is composed of representatives from the State
Department, the National Security Council Staff, the Depart-
ment of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
Office of Preparedness, the Department of Defense, the Energy
Research and Development Administration and the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
The study is a preliminary survey and will be of short
duration probably ending in early August. It would be pre-
mature to make any further comments at this time.
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