NCJ Number
84637
Editor(s)
M F Herz
Date Published
1982
Length
77 pages
Annotation
Diplomats, former hostages, social scientists, and journalists speak from personal experience about operational aspects of preventing and countering terrorist activity.
Abstract
A section on the effectiveness of diplomacy in dealing with terrorism offers a case study of hostage negotiation, a discussion of tactics against terrorism that have not worked, and consideration of the balance between security and duty for the diplomat. The hijacking of a TWA airliner by Croatian terrorists is described and analyzed by three participants, with each providing operational lessons. Papers oriented toward ensuring personal security against terrorist kidnapping focus on premonitions and forewarnings of a kidnapping, ways to protect business persons abroad, how to survive as a senior diplomat, and how to survive as a hostage. Three contributions deal with the case of Richard Starr, who was kidnapped in Colombia and held for 3 years. All three essays are critical of aspects of the official handling of that case. Contributions are also provided from persons experienced in formulating policy for dealing with terrorism, including official relations with the victim's family. The responsible and effective use of the media in dealing with terrorist incidents is examined in two essays in the concluding section.