Anti-Terrorism: New Priority in Foreign Policy

Archive Report

Human Rights Shift in Washington

Reagan and Haig Statements About Terror

As one of his first official acts after taking office, President Reagan announced that his administration would take a much harder line on international terrorism. Welcoming home the U.S. hostages from Iran on Jan. 28, Reagan said: “Let terrorists be aware that when the rules of international behavior are violated, our policy will be one of swift and effective retribution…. We live in an era of limits to our powers. Well, let it be understood there are limits to our patience.”

The next day, in his first news conference as president, Reagan said he did not want to be too specific about what he meant by “swift and effective retribution.” He pointed out that the United ...

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