The year 1989 saw a steep decline in the number of terrorist acts committed worldwide-one of the sharpest yearly drops we have recorded since the advent of modern terrorism in 1968. The number of people killed or wounded by terrorists also fell significantly. This is good news. But terrorism remains a serious problem on the international agenda.
Despite the decreased level of activity, the citizens or property of 74 countries were attacked by terrorists last year. The attacks took place in 60 countries in every region of the globe. Terrorists have the capability to inflict massive casualties, as they did last September when they blew up a French airliner killing all 171 innocent persons aboard. The use of terrorism by new criminal and insurgent groups, such as the “extraditables” in Colombia,is cause for concern.
We cannot become complacent. Terrorism is an ongoing threat in today’s world, and we must continue to oppose it vigorously.