EDWARD MM. KENNEDY, MASSACHUSETTS. CHAIRMAN JOHN H. GIBBONS

_— CABRANE PALL, RODE LAND
mecerre Sc Congress of the United States
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Wasnmeron, DC 206 10-8025

September 12, 1989

To: Technology Assessne ard
From: John H. Gibbon 1hbolee
RE: Proposed Assessment of the Use of Technology in

Countering Terrorism

Last June, OTA met informally with the Senate Committee on Governmental
Affairs to discuss recent acts of terrorism against U.S. representatives,
citizens, and property. In the, course of the discussion, the question was
raised as to the current status of research and development into technologies
that might be useful in preventing or defending against terrorist attacks.
Subsequently, on June 22, Senators Glenn and Roth, the Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee, sent OTA a letter of request, asking for a
study that would “identify and assess those technologies that could provide
the Nation with tools in the fight against terrorism." The letter expressed
particular interest in the status of work in explosives detectors,
incapacitating agents, access and perimeter control, and data exchange on
terrorist activities. An unclassified report with a substantial classified
annex was requested. .

Also in June, discussions were held between OTA and the Subcommittee on
Terrorism, Narcotics, and International Operations of the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations. Interest was expressed, on the part of the Subcommittee in
the possibility of using America’s technological capabilities to advantage in
helping defend its citizens and interests against acts of terror. On July 6,
a letter was received from Senator Kerry and Senator McConnell, the Chairman
and Ranking Minority Member, respectively, of the Subcommittee on Terrorism,
Narcotics, and International Operations, also requesting a study that would
provide a comprehensive review of anti-terrorist technologies.

In July, OTA discussed the question of airport security with the
Subcommittee on Aviation of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation. Following this, on August 3, an overlapping request was sent
OTA by the Chairmen and Ranking Minority Members of the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and of that Committee's Subcommittee on
Aviation. This request was limited to the issue of technology and aixport
security.

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All three requests asked OTA to investigate whether federal efforts at
research in these areas’ are sufficiently coordinated and focused and to
identify areas in which increased resources might bring positive results in
the short tern.

OTA has also discussed the proposed assessment with the House Committee
on Foreign Affairs, and a request letter is also anticipated from this source.