LYBIA
The end of 1996 marked the fifth year of the Libyan
regime's refusal to comply with the demands of UN Security Council
Resolution 731. This measure was adopted following the indictments in
November 1991 of two Libyan intelligence agents for the bombing of Pan Am
Flight 103 in 1988. UNSCR 731 ordered Libya to turn over the two Libyan
bombing suspects for trial in the United States or the United Kingdom, pay
compensation to the victims, cooperate in the ongoing investigations into
the Pan Am 103 and UTA Flight 772 bombings, and cease all support for
terrorism.
UN Security Council Resolution 748 was adopted in
April 1992 as a result of Libya's refusal to comply with the
demands
of UNSCR 731. UNSCR 748 imposed sanctions that embargoed Libya's civil
aviation and military procurement efforts and required all states to
reduce Libya's diplomatic presence. In November 1993 UNSCR 883 was
adopted, imposing additional sanctions against Libya for its continued
refusal to comply with UNSC demands. UNSCR 883 included a limited assets
freeze and a ban on sales of some oil technology to Libya and strengthened
existing sanctions in other ways.
By the end of 1996 Qadhafi had yet to comply in full
with the UNSC demands. He did, however, allow a French magistrate to visit
Libya in July to further his investigation of the 1989 bomb.
ABU NIDAL
ORGANIZATION (ANO)
Aliases:
Fatah Revolutionary Council, Arab Revolutionary Council, Arab
Revolutionary Brigades, Black September, Revolutionary Organization of
Socialist Muslims
Descrption & Ideology:
Founded by Sabri Khalil al-Banna (A.K.A. Abu Nidal), this organization
took shape after splitting from the Palestine Liberation Organization in
1974. ANO is made up of various functional committees, including
political, military, financial, etc.. A rejectionist and extremely violent
Palestinian terrorist group, ANO opposes all efforts toward political
reconciliation of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This group contends that both
inter-Arab and intra-Palestinian terrorism are needed to precipitate an
all-embracing Arab revolution that alone can lead to the liberation of
Palestine. ANO has several objectives. Continuance of the “ armed
struggle against the Zionist enemy " remains a top priority for ANO.
Undermine efforts to negotiate an Israeli-Palestinian peace by terrorizing
pro-Arafat Palestinians and by attacking Israeli and Jewish targets.
Threaten or attack “ reactionary " regimes of which are Egypt,
Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Shiekdoms. Affirm Arab
commitment to the destruction of Israel. Intimidate those nations
currently holding Abu Nidal operatives in prison into releasing them.
Location & Areas of Operation:
Based in Iraq (1974-83) and Syria (1983-87); currently based in Libya
with a substantial presence in Lebanon (in the Bekka Valley and several
Palestinian refugee camps in coastal areas of Lebanon). The ANO also
maintains a presence in Algeria as well as in other nations in the Middle
East and Africa. It is believed that some elements, may have relocated to
Iraq from Libya in the mid-1990s. Despite support by a succession of state
sponsors, the group maintains its own agenda. Although many of the group’s
operations coincide with the interests of its state sponsors, ANO also
conducts independent operations.
Strength & External Support:
Its estimated membership is around 500 with several hundred “militia
“ located in Lebanon and overseas support structure. The ANO has
received considerable support, including safe haven, training, logistical
assistance, and financial aid from Iraq and Syria until 1987; continues to
receive aid from Libya, in addition to close logistical and operational
support for terrorist operations Although rumors about the poor
health--and even the death of Sabri Khalil al-Banna (Abu Nidal) have
surfaced, it is believed doubtful that his existence is essential to the
organization’s viability. ANO is financially sound and may be one of
the most economically viable of all terrorist organizations. The group is
believed to draw one-third of its income from patron states, one-third
from graft or blackmail, and one-third from its own network of businesses
and front organizations.
Activities:
ANO has carried out over 90 terrorist attacks since 1974 in 20
countries, killing or injuring almost 900 people.
Chronology of Attacks