NCJ Number
43706
Journal
Newsweek Volume: 90 Issue: 20 Dated: (NOVEMBER 14, 1977) Pages: 82-84,89
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
TERRORIST ATTACKS ON BUSINESS EXECUTIVES IN EUROPE AND ELSEWHERE ARE REVIEWED, AND STEPS TAKEN BY BUSINESSMEN TO WARD OFF SUCH ATTACKS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
A SERIES OF INCIDENTS, BEGINNING WITH THE 1973 KIDNAPPING BY MARXIST GUERRILLAS OF AN EXXON REFINERY MANAGER IN ARGENTINA AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE 1977 ABDUCTION AND SUBSEQUENT MURDER OF A WEST GERMAN INDUSTRIALIST, HAS MADE BUSINESSMEN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD REALIZE THAT THEY ARE ALL POTENTIAL TARGETS. EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT, AS OF 1977, THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES FOR HIGH-LEVEL EXECUTIVES ARE ITALY, ARGENTINA, NORTHERN IRELAND, AND WEST GERMANY. ALTHOUGH MOST VICTIMS HAVE BEEN EUROPEAN, U.S. COMPANIES AND EXECUTIVES OVERSEAS AND AT HOME ARE PRIME TARGETS AS WELL. IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA ALONE, OVER 100 TERRORIST BOMBINGS HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN 6 YEARS. DOMESTIC TERRORISTS HAVE ALSO BEEN CONDUCTING A PSYCHOLOGICAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST EXECUTIVES. SOME CORPORATIONS HAVE UNDERTAKEN ELABORATE MEASURES TO SECURE THEIR OFFICES AND FACTORIES AND TO PROTECT THEIR EXECUTIVES AFTERHOURS. AS A RESULT, FIRMS DEALING IN SECURITY SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT HAVE EXPERIENCED CONSIDERABLE GROWTH. THE CHIEF OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION'S HOSTAGE-NEGOTIATING TEAM RECOMMENDS THAT BUSINESS EXECUTIVES BE ALERT, KEEP A LOW PROFILE, AND TRY NOT TO BE PREDICTABLE. SUCH STEPS AS CHECKING CARS FOR STRAY WIRES, DRIVING IN CONVOYS, AND BEING LEARY OF STRANGERS IN THE OFFICE ARE SUGGESTED.