Combating Terrorism in Republic of Poland
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ISSN 2029-1A01 Mokslini straipsni rinkinys 0SSN 233C-203C (Online) V0S4OMENHS SA4)4MAS 0R V0E,O10 TVAR-A P4B 0C SEC4R0TS AND P4B 0C ORDER 201A (18) Scientific articles COMBATING TERRORISM IN REPUBLIC OF POLAND Waldemar Zubrzycki* *Police Academy in Szczytno Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego 111, 12-100 Szczytno, Poland Telephone DP4CF C9 621 59 00 e-mail: boa.01*3p.pl Annotation. The article is concerned with the matter of terrorist activity that poses threats to the Republic of Poland, as well as, the countryYs actions toward preventing those threats. The author The author outlines the reasons why it is possible to carry out a terrorist attack in Poland and presents varied levels of PolandYs activity and the tasks of particular institutions, including recognition and prevention as well as, reaction after a possible attack. Counter-terrorism in Poland deals with many different ministries and institutions, working together in a coordinated manner. The article also presents the alarm degrees valid in Poland and instances of their initiation. Keywords: terrorism, terrorist threats, threats to Poland, combating terrorism INTRODUCTION Terrorist threats are currently one of the most significant issues of safety in Europe and the whole world, noticed and treated with proper attention, in Poland as well. The danger of terrorist attacks in Poland is in fact lowb however, the possibility of such activity within the country cannot be e2cluded. The prowestern policy of the country, especially the strategic alliance with the 4nited States, as well as, European integration (Poland as a border state of the European 4nion) and Poland’s accession to the Schengen Area fosters the development of terrorism. Due to the political support of terrorism prevention, along with the physical involvement of the Armed Sources of the Republic of Poland and the Police in peace missions on areas of armed conflicts, the country is considered a faithful ally of the 4nited States, and Polish soldiers are often threatened with attacks. Although there are no local terrorist groups in Poland, and geographically the inhabitants are distanced from the main sources of terrorism, the country is frequently mentioned in Al.- -aidaYs statements as a potential target of a revenge attack for the involvement in 0rag. Additional factors, which create favorable conditions for terrorist activity within Poland, are the effect of the globalization of economic processes. 6ide border opening has caused lifting travel barriers, which has a significant impact on the number of foreigners who occupy Poland permanently and temporarily. Citizens of highrisk countries may legalize their stay through e.g. marrying a citizen of Poland, apparent scientific or economic cooperation, 77 0SSN 2029-1A01 Mokslini straipsni rinkinys 0SSN 233C-203C (Online) V0S4OMENHS SA4)4MAS 0R V0E,O10 TVAR-A P4B 0C SEC4R0TS AND P4B 0C ORDER 201A (18) Scientific articles obtaining false documents or purchasing properties. These are few examples of the opportunities to create the logistic background by terrorist organizations in Poland. 0t is possible that the alleys of terrorist organizations, as well as, inactive members of organized structures are currently residing in Poland. The number of Muslims is significant, and radicalization of their attitudes cannot be e2cluded. The radicalization of attitudes of the Polish who converted to 0slam is also possible. Considering the increasing number of emigrants from countries, which are in the course of war, especially 0rag, Afghanistan or Chechen, there is a justified suspicion that members of terrorist organizations are among these emigrants. The normalization of relations between Poland and 0srael and tightening mutual contact are further reasons for conducting a terrorist attack in Poland. Threat increase also considers international mass sports events, take place in this country. The publications about prisons in Poland are unfavorable, allegedly the terrorist are detained and tortured. Threats toward Poland were made by Arabic terrorists, and propaganda materials were distributed also in Polish language. Numerous e2plosions occur every year in Polandb the Police is gathering hundreds of kilos of e2plosives. Occurrence of terrorist acts with the use of e2plosive devices is mainly considered a criminal activity or settling accounts between criminals and it is connected with the crime syndicate and not with terrorist groups. The possibility of crime syndicateYs involvement in terrorist activity and the connections of members of terrorist organizations with the crime syndicate must be taken seriously. The criminals use methods typical of terrorist activity while struggling amongst themselves for influences or in criminal activity. The two worlds are nowadays approaching each other. Despite the _merelyo potential character of terrorist threats in Poland this subject is treated with proper attentionb Poland undertakes numerous initiatives regarding preventing this phenomenon. LEVELS OF COUNTERACTING TERRORIST THREATS AND COORDINATION OF THEIR ACTIONS IN POLAND 0n the system of terrorism prevention and elimination valid in Poland, three levels can be distinguished: 72. Strategic O realized by the Prime Minister and the 0nterministerial )roup for Terrorist Threats, 78 0SSN 2029-1A01 Mokslini straipsni rinkinys 0SSN 233C-203C (Online) V0S4OMENHS SA4)4MAS 0R V0E,O10 TVAR-A P4B 0C SEC4R0TS AND P4B 0C ORDER 201A (18) Scientific articles 73. Operational O realizing the operational reconnaissance actions conducted by national services. This task is realized by the Anti-terrorist Center functioning within the 0nternal Security Agencyb 74. Tactical O executed by services and institutions, which properties remain in the field of terrorism prevention (inter aliaL 0nternal Security Agency, 0ntelligence Agency, Police, Border )uard, )eneral 0nspector of 8inancial 0nformation). The Międzyresortowy Zespół do Spraw Zagrożeń Terrorystycznych - M&ds.&T, (0nterministerial )roup for Terrorist Threats) is the most important part of the strategic level of terrorism prevention. The )roup is supervised by the Minister of 0nterior1. Besides the chief (Minister of 0nterior), members of the 0nterministerial )roup for Terrorist Threats includeL chiefYs deputies O Minister of 8oreign Affairs, Minister of 8inance, Minister of National Defense, Minister of 1ustice and a member of the Council of Ministers O minister in charge of coordinating the activities of emergency services. Other members of the )roup includeL state Secretaries or undersecretaries of the Ministry of the 0nterior, who supervise the conduction of affairs handled by government administration, Board Secretary for Emergency Service. Chief of Civil Defense, chief of the 0nternal Security Agency, chief of the 0ntelligence Agency, chief of the )overnment Security Bureau, main chief of Police, main chief of the National 8ire Brigade, main chief of Border )uard, chief of the Military 0ntelligence Service, chief of Military Counterintelligence Service, main chief of Military Police, )eneral 0nspector of Ta2 0nvestigation, )eneral 0nspector of 8inancial 0nformation, Chief of the Border )uard and the Director of the )overnment Security Center. The tasks of M&ds.&T includeL monitoring terrorist threats, evaluating and analyzing these threats, as well as, presenting the opinions and conclusions to the Council of Ministers. M&ds.&T is also occupied with the elaboration of standard and procedure projects regarding terrorism elimination; especially, the evaluation standards of hazard occurrence and determination of hazard level. 0nitiating, coordinating, and monitoring actions undertaken by proper administrative authoritiesb especially, those regarding information usage and recognition, prevention and elimination of terrorism, is an important task as well. The )roup may also undertake actions to organize cooperation with other countries in the area of terrorism elimination, as well as, to coordinate information exchange and organization of common operations. 1 Established by ruling No. 162 of the Prime Minister from October 2Cth 2006 on the formation of 0nterministerial )roup for Terrorist Threats. 79 0SSN 2029-1A01 Mokslini straipsni rinkinys 0SSN 233C-203C (Online) V0S4OMENHS SA4)4MAS 0R V0E,O10 TVAR-A P4B 0C SEC4R0TS AND P4B 0C ORDER 201A (18) Scientific articles The S aQa Grupa Ekspercka O S)E (Permanent E2pert Team), fulfills an important function in terrorist threats monitoringb the Team serves as essential support of the M&ds.&T2. Members of S)E include supervision level e2perts of the services and institutions represented by the members of M&ds.&T. Among the basic tasks of S)E - monitoring, analyzing and evaluating terrorist threats, as well as, evaluation of the level and type of terrorist threats - must be mentioned. The Permanent E2pert Team also monitors the actions of proper government administrative authorities in the area of the usage of information regarding terrorist threats. 6hat is more, it evaluates the preparations of Poland’s public administration to recognize, eliminate and prevent terrorism. S)E also elaborates propositions to improve the state of preparation of the public administration to prevent and eliminate terrorism. Basic authorities regarding terrorism prevention and elimination are held by the institutions subordinate to the Prime Minister ENTITIES PERFORMING THE TASKS IN THE AREA OF COUNTER-TERRORISM IN POLAND The A1enc2a Be8piec8eDs wa Eewne r8ne1o O AB6 (0nternal Security Agency) holds broad range of authorities