Brussels, 15/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - "The number of incidents was showing a small decrease, whereas the importance of the attacks increased dramatically". The report on the period of September 2000-2001 on terrorism in the European Union, describes the worse situation as being in the Basque country. The document includes a useful, if rather sketchy, list of terrorist activities and anti-terrorist measures throughout Member States. It was put together by the European Police Office (Europol) and then amended by Member States who wanted to add some of the elements from their investigations into the attacks of 11 September. It is due to be examined at the next JHA Council.
Basque Country. The report points out that, "The Basque terrorist organisation, Euskadi Ta Akatasuna (ETA) has been the most active terrorist organisation in the European Union…politicians, military, journalists and the judiciary have been their most frequent targets". The report also indicates that ETA has launched campaigns against Spain's tourist industry. The techniques its employs are, "shooting the victim in the back of the neck to car bombs, also using letter bombs". ETA terrorist activities are usually carried out by its youth wing. On an anti-terrorist level the report indicates that the leaders of Haika, a youth organisation, and members of Gestaros Pro-Amnistia had been arrested, while the Ekin and Xaki organisations had been outlawed. The report noted that throughout 2001 Spanish anti-terrorist units proved particularly effective in fighting terrorism. France also participated in this war on terrorism. Sixteen activists were arrested, three training camps were discovered, as well as 1,600 kilos of dynamite. This collaboration gives the experts reason to believe that, although they have no definite information on the subject, "it might spur ETA to start a European Union wide campaign as carried out in 1989 and 1990.
Northern Ireland. The report welcomes the progress accomplished within the peace process and cease-fire adhered to by the main players, "except from dissident groups". An agreement had been reached with the Provisional IRA in August and October, as well as the setting up of an international commission for arms decommissioning. The commission did witness, "a quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives being put completely beyond use". This helped to convince the First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive to return to his post, from which he had resigned in July because he was unhappy with the lack of IRA progress on decommissioning. Investigations are being continued in both Ireland and the United Kingdom, particularly on the Omagh bombing outrage.
Corsica. The National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC), has carried out a campaign of terror attacks against police and Gendarmerie barracks and properties whose owners come from mainland France. Armata Corsa's botched car bomb attack did demonstrate its ability to perpetrate attacks. Two members of this group were killed in Corsica allegedly by rival criminal gangs. No further details are available on the anti-terrorist campaign.
Islamic Extremist terrorism. The report stressed that they continue to threaten the security of the European Union, given that they can use European Union territory to carry out attacks elsewhere, like those of 11 September. Before this date, the report observed that on 6 February there were six arrests in London, the arrest of an Algerian Salafist member and activist in Spain. There had also been several arrests in France and the dismantling of a terrorist cell in Italy and the beginning of two trials in Germany. After 11 September, eight people were arrested in Belgium and the Netherlands (they were allegedly planning attacks against US targets in France and against the Cathedral in Strasbourg). Arrests have been made in the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain, with enquiries continuing in Germany.
Other incidents linked to terrorism. The report also deals with the first signs of a possible revival in left-wing and Anarchist terrorism, following the attacks in the south of the EU in the name of "International Solidarity" in protest against the imprisonment of Anarchists. Anarchist attacks have also been committed in Italy. Radical environmental and animal rights groups have carried out a limited campaign, although material damage has so far not been extensive.