Counterterrorism by the F.B.I.

Professor Bishop is correct in maintaining that the terrorist wants the government under attack to respond with measures so repressive that the government loses the confidence of the people it serves. Terrorism, indeed, poses a great danger to a free society and there is no question but that terrorist activity must be resolutely controlled. At the same time, however, responses to the terrorist cannot be permitted, even inadvertently, to serve his goals.

From a law-enforcement perspective, there are two great values in every democratic society. First is the individual's right to be let alone, and second is society's collective right to be kept safe and free. There is, has been, and always will be an area of tension between these two important values. The task of law enforcement is to strike a true balance between the rights of individuals and the collective rights of society.

The F.8.I.'s counterterrorism program has as its objectives the prevention of terrorist acts or, failing that, a thorough and swift investigation that will result in the identification, apprehension, and successful prosecution of those responsible. Despite increased responsibilities and shrinking resources, the F.8.1, assigns the highest priority to terrorist investigations. We are constantly working to improve our counterterrorist intelligence and to increase the training and tools available to both federal and local law enforcement.

Our job, as difficult as it may be, is to maintain an investigative posture which allows the terrorist to destroy neither our individual freedoms nor our collective rights. The F.B.I, is committed to the protection of both.

Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation