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KIDNAPPING (FROM TERRORISM - HEARINGS BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL SECURITY, PART 3, 93RD CONGRESS, 2ND SESSION, JUNE 26, 27, JULY 10, 11, 23, AUGUST 13, 1974 - SEE NCJ-17654)

NCJ Number
63449
Author(s)
C L FLY
Date Published
1974
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A STRATEGY IS PRESENTED FOR COUNTERING TERRORIST GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT USE KIDNAPPING AS A TACTIC.
Abstract
THE TYPE OF KIDNAPPING LIKELY TO INCREASE IN FREQUENCY AND BOLDNESS IS THAT EXECUTED BY RUTHLESS FANATICS WHO VIEW KIDNAPPING AS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO ACHIEVE DEMANDS AND MANIPULATE ADVERSARIES TOO POWERFUL TO BE CONFRONTED IN DIRECT CONFLICT. A STUDY OF 42 CASES OF POLITICAL KIDNAPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD SHOWS THAT VICTIMS ARE GENERALLY RELEASED WHEN DEMANDS ARE MET, BUT THAT CAPTORS BECOME VIOLENT, SOMETIMES KILLING THEIR VICTIMS, WHEN DEMANDS ARE RESISTED. THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS OF STRATEGY ARE LIKELY TO PREVENT OR CONTROL THE PRACTICE OF POLITICAL KIDNAPPINGS: (1) EXPOSE THE IDEOLOGY AND TACTICS OF TERRORIST GROUPS TO THE PUBLIC SO THAT THEY MAY BE GENERALLY VIEWED AS THREATS TO THE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM AND MAJORITY VALUES; (2) MOUNT AN ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM INCLUDING INFILTRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF INTELLIGENCE FILES ON ALL GROUPS KNOWN TO BE COMMITTED TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE AMERICAN POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEM; (3) DISCOURAGE TERRORIST ACTIVITY THROUGH THE REGISTRATION OF ALL FIREARMS, POLICE PROTECTION FOR LIKELY TARGETS FOR KIDNAPPING, USE OF DEATH PENALTY, AND A LAW DECREEING THAT NO KIDNAPPER SHALL BE PAID A RANSOM; (4) EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON PREVENTIVE AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES WHICH CAN BE APPLIED BY EACH CITIZEN; AND (5) PLAN FOR LONG-RANGE CORRECTIVE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO INCREASE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE FOR ALL CITIZENS. (RCB)