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'''Terrorism''' in the modern sense See the is [[violence]] or other harmful acts committed (or threatened) against civilians for political or other ideological goals."The divergent assessments of the same evidence on such an important issue shocks a leading terrorism researcher. 'The notion of terrorism is fairly straightforward — it is ideologically or politically motivated violence directed against civilian targets.'" said Professor Martin Rudner, director of the Canadian Centre of Intelligence and Security Studies at Ottawa's Carleton University." Humphreys, Adrian. [http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=a64f73d2-f672-4bd0-abb3-2584029db496] "One official's 'refugee' is another's 'terrorist'"], ''[[National Post]],'' [[January 17]], [[2006]]. Most [[Definition of terrorism|definitions of terrorism]] include only those acts which are intended to create fear or "terror", are perpetrated for an ideological goal (as opposed to a lone attack), and deliberately target or utterly disregard the safety of [[non-combatants]]. Many definitions also include only acts of [[unlawful]] violence.

'''Terrorism''' in the modern sense See the is [[violence]] or other harmful acts committed (or threatened) against civilians for political or other ideological goals."The divergent assessments of the same evidence on such an important issue shocks a leading terrorism researcher. 'The notion of terrorism is fairly straightforward — it is ideologically or politically motivated violence directed against civilian targets.'" said Professor Martin Rudner, director of the Canadian Centre of Intelligence and Security Studies at Ottawa's Carleton University." Humphreys, Adrian. [http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=a64f73d2-f672-4bd0-abb3-2584029db496] "One official's 'refugee' is another's 'terrorist'"], ''[[National Post]],'' [[January 17]], [[2006]]. Most [[Definition of terrorism|definitions of terrorism]] include only those acts which are intended to create fear or "terror", are perpetrated for an ideological goal (as opposed to a lone attack), and deliberately target or utterly disregard the safety of [[non-combatants]]. Many definitions also include only acts of [[unlawful]] violence.

The word "terrorism" was first{{fact|date=August 2007}} used in reference to the [[Reign of Terror]] during the [[French Revolution]]. A 1988 study by the [[United States Army]] found that more than one hundred definitions of the word exist and have been used. Dr. Jeffrey Record, [http://carlisle-www.army.mil/ssi/pubs/2003/bounding/bounding.pdf Bounding the Global War on Terrorism](PDF)

The word "terrorism" was first used in reference to the [[Reign of Terror]] during the [[French Revolution]]. A 1988 study by the [[United States Army]] found that more than one hundred definitions of the word exist and have been used. Dr. Jeffrey Record, [http://carlisle-www.army.mil/ssi/pubs/2003/bounding/bounding.pdf Bounding the Global War on Terrorism](PDF)

Terrorism is a crime in all countries where such acts occur{{fact|date=August 2007}}, and is defined by statute — see ''[[Definition of terrorism]]'' for particular definitions. Common principles among legal definitions of terrorism provide an emerging consensus as to meaning and also foster cooperation between law enforcement personnel in different countries. Among these definitions there are several that do not recognize the possibility of [[Right to resist occupation|legitimate use of violence]] by civilians against an invader in an [[Occupied territories|occupied country]] and would, thus, label all [[resistance movement]]s as terrorist groups. Others make a distinction between lawful and unlawful use of violence. Ultimately, the distinction is a [[Politics|political]] judgment.Ali Khan, [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=935347 A LEGAL THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM] Published in 19 Connecticut Law Review 945-972(1987)

Terrorism is a crime in all countries where such acts occur, and is defined by statute — see ''[[Definition of terrorism]]'' for particular definitions. Common principles among legal definitions of terrorism provide an emerging consensus as to meaning and also foster cooperation between law enforcement personnel in different countries. Among these definitions there are several that do not recognize the possibility of [[Right to resist occupation|legitimate use of violence]] by civilians against an invader in an [[Occupied territories|occupied country]] and would, thus, label all [[resistance movement]]s as terrorist groups. Others make a distinction between lawful and unlawful use of violence. Ultimately, the distinction is a [[Politics|political]] judgment.Ali Khan, [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=935347 A LEGAL THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM] Published in 19 Connecticut Law Review 945-972(1987)

In November 2004, a UN panel described terrorism as any act: "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act." In a [http://www.un.org/unifeed/script.asp?scriptId=73] commentary issued by the UN] it states that ''The second part of the report [[titled "Larger Freedom." by Kofi Annan, Secretary General, United Nations at the Security Council Meeting on [[17 March]], [[2005]]], entitled "Freedom from Fear backs the definition of terrorism - an issue so divisive agreement on it has long eluded the world community - as any action "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act."''

In November 2004, a UN panel described terrorism as any act: "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act." In a [http://www.un.org/unifeed/script.asp?scriptId=73] commentary issued by the UN] it states that ''The second part of the report [[titled "Larger Freedom." by Kofi Annan, Secretary General, United Nations at the Security Council Meeting on [[17 March]], [[2005]]], entitled "Freedom from Fear backs the definition of terrorism - an issue so divisive agreement on it has long eluded the world community - as any action "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act."''

on one point, at least, everyone agrees: terrorism is a pejorative term. It is a word with intrinsically negative connotations that is generally applied to one's enemies and opponents, or to those with whom one disagrees and would otherwise prefer to ignore. 'What is called terrorism,' Brian Jenkins has written, `'thus seems to depend on one's point of view. Use of the term implies a moral judgment; and if one party can successfully attach the label terrorist to its opponent, then it has indirectly persuaded others to adopt its moral viewpoint.' Hence the decision to call someone or label some organization `terrorist' becomes almost unavoidably subjective, depending largely on whether one sympathizes with or opposes the person/group/cause concerned. If one identifies with the victim of the violence, for example, then the act is terrorism. If, however, one identifies with the perpetrator, the violent act is regarded in a more sympathetic, if not positive (or, at the worst, an ambivalent) light; and it is not terrorism. Hoffman, Bruce "''Inside Terrorism''" Columbia University Press 1998 ISBN 0-231-11468-0. Page 32. See review in The [[New York Times]][http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/h/hoffman-terrorism.html Inside Terrorism] [http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:RPT6zpTtE08J:www.nytimes.com/books/first/h/hoffman-terrorism.html+%22everyone+agrees:+terrorism+is+a+pejorative+term%22&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=1&lr=lang_en Google cached copy]

on one point, at least, everyone agrees: terrorism is a pejorative term. It is a word with intrinsically negative connotations that is generally applied to one's enemies and opponents, or to those with whom one disagrees and would otherwise prefer to ignore. 'What is called terrorism,' Brian Jenkins has written, `'thus seems to depend on one's point of view. Use of the term implies a moral judgment; and if one party can successfully attach the label terrorist to its opponent, then it has indirectly persuaded others to adopt its moral viewpoint.' Hence the decision to call someone or label some organization `terrorist' becomes almost unavoidably subjective, depending largely on whether one sympathizes with or opposes the person/group/cause concerned. If one identifies with the victim of the violence, for example, then the act is terrorism. If, however, one identifies with the perpetrator, the violent act is regarded in a more sympathetic, if not positive (or, at the worst, an ambivalent) light; and it is not terrorism. Hoffman, Bruce "''Inside Terrorism''" Columbia University Press 1998 ISBN 0-231-11468-0. Page 32. See review in The [[New York Times]][http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/h/hoffman-terrorism.html Inside Terrorism] [http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:RPT6zpTtE08J:www.nytimes.com/books/first/h/hoffman-terrorism.html+%22everyone+agrees:+terrorism+is+a+pejorative+term%22&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=1&lr=lang_en Google cached copy]

The difference between the words "terrorist" or "terrorism" and the terms above can be summed up by the [[aphorism]], "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter." This is exemplified when a group that uses [[irregular military]] methods is an ally of a [[State]] against a mutual enemy, but later falls out with the State and starts to use the same methods against its former ally. During World War II the [[Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army]] was allied with the British, but during the [[Malayan Emergency]], members of its successor, the [[Malayan Races Liberation Army]], were branded terrorists by the British.[http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9371060/Malayan-People's-Anti-Japanese-Army Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army] Britannica Concis, Dr Chris Clark ''[http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/remembering1942/malaya/index.htm Malayan Emergency, 16 June 1948]'', [[16 June]], [[2003]] More recently, [[Ronald Reagan]] and others in the American administration frequently called the [[mujaheddin#Afghan Mujahideen|Afghan Mujahideen]] freedom fighters during [[Soviet invasion of Afghanistan|their war]] against the [[Soviet Union]],[http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAreagan.htm Ronald Reagan, speech to National Conservative Political Action Conference] [[8 March]], 1985. On the [[Spartacus Educational]] yet twenty years later when a new generation of Afghan men are fighting against what they perceive to be a regime installed by foreign powers, their attacks are labelled terrorism by [[George W. Bush]].[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020128-13.html] President Meets with Afghan Interim Authority Chairman][http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/02/20060209-2.html] President Discusses Progress in War on Terror to National Guard] [[White House]] web site [[February 9]], [[2006]] Groups accused of terrorism usually prefer terms that reflect legitimate military or ideological action.Sudha Ramachandran ''[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FK12Ak01.html] Death behind the wheel in Iraq]'' [[Asian Times]], [[November 12]] [[2004]], "Insurgent groups that use suicide attacks therefore do not like their attacks to be described as suicide terrorism. They prefer to use terms like "martyrdom ..." Alex Perry [http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1109554,00.html] How Much to Tip the Terrorist?] [[Time Magazine]], [[September 26]], [[2005]]. "The Tamil Tigers would dispute that tag, of course. Like other guerrillas and suicide bombers, they prefer the term “freedom fighters.”[http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/dtra/terrorism_concepts.doc TERRORISM: CONCEPTS, CAUSES, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION] [[George Mason University]] [[Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution]], Printed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, January 2003 Leading terrorism researcher Professor Martin Rudner, director of the Canadian Centre of Intelligence and Security Studies at Ottawa's [[Carleton University]], defines "terrorist acts" as attacks against civilians for political or other ideological goals, and goes on to say: {{cquote|"There is the famous statement: 'One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.' But that is grossly leading. It assesses the validity of the cause when terrorism is an act. One can have a perfectly beautiful cause and yet if one commits terrorist acts, it is terrorism regardless." Humphreys, Adrian. [http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=a64f73d2-f672-4bd0-abb3-2584029db496 "One official's 'refugee' is another's 'terrorist'"], ''[[National Post]]'', [[January 17]], [[2006]].

The difference between the words "terrorist" or "terrorism" and the terms above can be summed up by the [[aphorism]], "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter." This is exemplified when a group that uses [[irregular military]] methods is an ally of a [[State]] against a mutual enemy, but later falls out with the State and starts to use the same methods against its former ally. During World War II the [[Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army]] was allied with the British, but during the [[Malayan Emergency]], members of its successor, the [[Malayan Races Liberation Army]], were branded terrorists by the British.[http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9371060/Malayan-People's-Anti-Japanese-Army Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army] Britannica Concis, Dr Chris Clark ''[http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/remembering1942/malaya/index.htm Malayan Emergency, 16 June 1948]'', [[16 June]], [[2003]] More recently, [[Ronald Reagan]] and others in the American administration frequently called the [[mujaheddin#Afghan Mujahideen|Afghan Mujahideen]] freedom fighters during [[Soviet invasion of Afghanistan|their war]] against the [[Soviet Union]],[http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAreagan.htm Ronald Reagan, speech to National Conservative Political Action Conference] [[8 March]], 1985. On the [[Spartacus Educational]] yet twenty years later when a new generation of Afghan men are fighting against what they perceive to be a regime installed by foreign powers, their attacks are labelled terrorism by [[George W. Bush]].[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020128-13.html] President Meets with Afghan Interim Authority Chairman][http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/02/20060209-2.html] President Discusses Progress in War on Terror to National Guard] [[White House]] web site [[February 9]], [[2006]] Groups accused of terrorism usually prefer terms that reflect legitimate military or ideological action.Sudha Ramachandran ''[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FK12Ak01.html] Death behind the wheel in Iraq]'' [[Asian Times]], [[November 12]] [[2004]], "Insurgent groups that use suicide attacks therefore do not like their attacks to be described as suicide terrorism. They prefer to use terms like "martyrdom ..." Alex Perry [http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1109554,00.html] How Much to Tip the Terrorist?] [[Time Magazine]], [[September 26]], [[2005]]. "The Tamil Tigers would dispute that tag, of course. Like other guerrillas and suicide bombers, they prefer the term “freedom fighters.”[http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/dtra/terrorism_concepts.doc TERRORISM: CONCEPTS, CAUSES, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION] [[George Mason University]] [[Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution]], Printed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, January 2003 Leading terrorism researcher Professor Martin Rudner, director of the Canadian Centre of Intelligence and Security Studies at Ottawa's [[Carleton University]], defines "terrorist acts" as attacks against civilians for political or other ideological goals, and goes on to say:  

 

<blockquote>"There is the famous statement: 'One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.' But that is grossly leading. It assesses the validity of the cause when terrorism is an act. One can have a perfectly beautiful cause and yet if one commits terrorist acts, it is terrorism regardless." Humphreys, Adrian".</blockquote> [http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html]

Some groups, when involved in a "liberation" struggle, have been called terrorist by the Western governments or media. Later, these same persons, as leaders of the liberated nations, are called statesmen by similar organizations. Two examples are [[Nobel Peace Prize]] laureates [[Menachem Begin]] and [[Nelson Mandela]]. Theodore P. Seto ''[http://llr.lls.edu/volumes/v35-issue4/seto.pdf] The Morality of Terrorism]'' Includes a list in the [[Times]] published on [[July 23]] [[1946]] which were described as Jewish terrorist actions, including those launched by Irgun which Begin was a leading member[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/israel_at_50/profiles/81305.stm] BBC News: PROFILES: Menachem Begin] BBC website "Under Begin's command, the underground terrorist group Irgun carried out numerous acts of violence." Eqbal Ahmad ''"[http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-1328039/Straight-talk-on-terrorism.html Straight talk on terrorism]"'' [[Monthly Review]], January, 2002. "including Menachem Begin, appearing in "Wanted" posters saying, "Terrorists, reward this much." The highest reward I have seen offered was 100,000 British pounds for the head of Menachem Begin"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4583684.stmBBC NEWS: World: Middle East: Sharon's legacy does not include peace] BBC website "Ariel Sharon will be compared to Menachem Begin, another warrior turned statesman, who gave up the Sinai and made peace with Egypt."Lord Desai [http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld199798/ldhansrd/vo980903/text/80903-04.htm] Hansard, House of Lords] 3 September 1998 : Column 72, "''However, Jomo Kenyatta, Nelson Mandela and Menachem Begin &mdash; to give just three examples &mdash; were all denounced as terrorists but all proved to be successful political leaders of their countries and good friends of the United Kingdom.''"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4255106.stm] BBC NEWS:World: Americas: UN reforms receive mixed response] BBC website "Of all groups active in recent times, the ANC perhaps represents best the traditional dichotomous view of armed struggle. Once regarded by western governments as a terrorist group, it now forms the legitimate, elected government of South Africa, with Nelson Mandela one of the world's genuinely iconic figures."[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1454208.stm] BBC NEWS: World: Africa: Profile: Nelson Mandela] BBC website "Nelson Mandela remains one of the world's most revered statesman"

Some groups, when involved in a "liberation" struggle, have been called terrorist by the Western governments or media. Later, these same persons, as leaders of the liberated nations, are called statesmen by similar organizations. Two examples are [[Nobel Peace Prize]] laureates [[Menachem Begin]] and [[Nelson Mandela]]. Theodore P. Seto ''[http://llr.lls.edu/volumes/v35-issue4/seto.pdf] The Morality of Terrorism]'' Includes a list in the [[Times]] published on [[July 23]] [[1946]] which were described as Jewish terrorist actions, including those launched by Irgun which Begin was a leading member[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/israel_at_50/profiles/81305.stm] BBC News: PROFILES: Menachem Begin] BBC website "Under Begin's command, the underground terrorist group Irgun carried out numerous acts of violence." Eqbal Ahmad ''"[http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-1328039/Straight-talk-on-terrorism.html Straight talk on terrorism]"'' [[Monthly Review]], January, 2002. "including Menachem Begin, appearing in "Wanted" posters saying, "Terrorists, reward this much." The highest reward I have seen offered was 100,000 British pounds for the head of Menachem Begin"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4583684.stmBBC NEWS: World: Middle East: Sharon's legacy does not include peace] BBC website "Ariel Sharon will be compared to Menachem Begin, another warrior turned statesman, who gave up the Sinai and made peace with Egypt."Lord Desai [http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld199798/ldhansrd/vo980903/text/80903-04.htm] Hansard, House of Lords] 3 September 1998 : Column 72, "''However, Jomo Kenyatta, Nelson Mandela and Menachem Begin &mdash; to give just three examples &mdash; were all denounced as terrorists but all proved to be successful political leaders of their countries and good friends of the United Kingdom.''"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4255106.stm] BBC NEWS:World: Americas: UN reforms receive mixed response] BBC website "Of all groups active in recent times, the ANC perhaps represents best the traditional dichotomous view of armed struggle. Once regarded by western governments as a terrorist group, it now forms the legitimate, elected government of South Africa, with Nelson Mandela one of the world's genuinely iconic figures."[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1454208.stm] BBC NEWS: World: Africa: Profile: Nelson Mandela] BBC website "Nelson Mandela remains one of the world's most revered statesman"

The modern English term "terrorism" dates back to 1795 when it was used to describe the actions of the [[Jacobin Club]] in their rule of post-Revolutionary France, the so-called "[[Reign of Terror]]".

The modern English term "terrorism" dates back to 1795 when it was used to describe the actions of the [[Jacobin Club]] in their rule of post-Revolutionary France, the so-called "[[Reign of Terror]]".

* [[Hans Köchler]] (ed.), ''Terrorism and National Liberation. Proceedings of the International Conference on the Question of Terrorism.'' Frankfurt a. M./Bern/New York: Peter Lang, 1988, ISBN 3-8204-1217-4

* [[Hans Köchler]] (ed.), ''Terrorism and National Liberation. Proceedings of the International Conference on the Question of Terrorism.'' Frankfurt a. M./Bern/New York: Peter Lang, 1988, ISBN 3-8204-1217-4

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]