Additional Views of Hon. Nicholas Mavroules

Throughout our investigation of the bombing of the Marine Headquarters in Beirut one issue has continually surfaced as the most serious threat facing U.S. military, diplomatic and civilian personnel abroad: isolated, premeditated terrorist attack.

While we have studied in great detail all of the circumstances surrounding the October 23 bombing and the decisions on security made prior to the attack, it is important that our focus now be to prevent future incidents. Additional innocent lives may be in jeopardy because of the bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and other acts of violence unless the United States and other western nations respond.

One of the highest priorities facing the United States and our allies throughout the free world is the establishment of appropriate policies for preventing these individual acts of violence. As a first step, I would propose that the President and the Congress, through the establishment of a select national commission, ,prepare recommendations which can be implemented to protect our people and institutions from wanton terrorist attacks.

Security from this type of violence will not be achieved simply by the construction of fences or barriers. It is essential that the threat of terrorism not force a free and open society to close its doors in fear.

At a minimum, a national commission should be established to:

Three years ago. U.S. embassy personnel in Iran were kidnapped and held hostage for fifteen months; 241 sailors, soldiers and marines were killed in a single truck bombing attack in Beirut; U.S. embassies in Lebanon and Kuwait have been bombed or destroyed; U.S. diplomatic personnel in Iraq, Greece, Lebanon and France have been murdered. To stop this human bomb brand of terrorism is going to require a much wider view of security than the safety of one unit of Marines at one specific location.

U.S. military personnel in Beirut were caught unprepared. While location security has been improved, our military and diplomatic personnel in the region remain vulnerable and open to further

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attack. While we cannot guarantee with certainty that all such violence can be stopped, we must offer a more unified and appropriate response. What happened in Beirut could and is happening everywhere. Terrorism knows no bounds.

The establishment of a select national commission is a logical starting point. It should be established without delay.

Nicholas Mavroules.

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