Terrorist Attack - A Call to Action by Andrew J. Goodpaster

Terrorist Attack - A Call to Action

By Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster (Sept. 18, 2001)

The terrorist dangers we face - now escalated from latent threat to actual massive attack - call for coordinated action on three distinct but inter-related fronts:

• Action on the homefront, through greatly strengthened measures to protect our people, aiming to prevent such attacks, and respond decisively if and when they nevertheless occur;
  
  
• Action internationally, in two parts:
  • Action in concert with friends, allies and all who will stand with us or at least not act against us;
  • Action against terrorist networks and complexes, and against all who harbor or support them.

Each one of these raises a particular set of difficult challenges. All must be thoroughly thought through. Clear strategies must be developed for each one, and clear programs of action undertaken and sustained, within an overall framework that is clearly understood, accepted and supported - strongly and widely - by the American people. Difficult questions pertaining to each must be squarely addressed and resolutely decided. In brief outline:

On the homefront, the central question and challenge will be to frame and carry out a powerful range of protective measures, in some cases intrusive and onerous, while at the same time honoring and safeguarding our free and open way of life. This will not be easy. We are not, and will not make ourselves, a garrison state. One essential step will be to clarify and establish explicit assignments of responsibility, aligned to greatly strengthened organization and enhanced operating procedures. Key problem areas are well known from past experience; they can best be dealt with by giving overriding priority simply to the safety and well-being of our people, collectively and individually, breaking free from past weaknesses and separate agendas.

Second, internationally, the need for positive actions means placing emphasis on the web of relationships and institutions that bind freedom-loving nations committed to safeguarding the lives and well-being of their people, now clearly placed at risk by the international terrorist organizations and their operations. Action within NATO, already initiated, provides a lead and a model that can serve throughout the civilized world. In future days NATO should apply itself to developing a common assessment of the threats, a strategic concept for dealing with them, a program of heightened measures of protection on a worldwide scale, and action to identify, to neutralize and to punish, when needed, the perpetrators and supporters of terrorism. Within the United Nations, activities in a comparable pattern should be pursued. Beyond the multilateral range of activities, bilateral understandings and undertakings must be intensified. Intelligence-gathering and analysis will be crucial, along with operational planning and training for actions both national and international, with the U.S. ready and able to act alone, if and when necessary.

The third front must be direct action against the terrorists. Enhanced intelligence effort should cover every aspect of terrorist operations and activities - locating and targeting the physical infrastructure, identifying communications facilities and methods, finding and acting against financial networks, identifying and locating the terrorist participants and their supporters. The accompanying military task will be to plan, prepare and as soon as possible conduct military operations to defeat and destroy the terrorist organizations.

To give leadership, coherence and impetus to this whole set of activities and operations, the commanding role of the President must be clearly reaffirmed, needed organizational support provided, and clear channels of direction and responsibility established. Vital security interests have been assaulted; strategy and well-planned action must respond. Major and sustained efforts to build and sustain public and Congressional understanding and firm support are now mandatory.

Altogether, the challenge is great. It is the kind of challenge to which our country has shown in the past it can respond. We can be sure that it can and will do so again.