NCJ Number
56403
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF TERRORIST HOSTAGE-TAKING IN THE 1970'S ARE EXAMINED IN THIS DOCUMENTARY, ALONG WITH THE TACTICS USED BY WEST GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, ISRAEL, AND THE U.S. IN HANDLING HOSTAGE SITUATIONS.
Abstract
THE RISE OF POLITICALLY MOTIVATED HOSTAGE-TAKING IS TRACED FROM THE HIJACKING TO JORDAN IN THE 1970'S OF THREE PLANES COMMANDEERED BY PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS TO MORE RECENT INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THE KIDNAPPING OF HANS MARTIN SCHLEYER, THE ENTEBBE AFFAIR, AND THE TRAIN SEIZURES IN HOLLAND BY SOUTH MOLUCCANS. EMPHASIS IS PLACED MORE ON THE RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENT RESPONSES, THAN ON INDIVIDUAL INCIDENTS. IT IS ARGUED THAT DEMOCRATIC NATIONS ARE THE CONTINUING TARGETS OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM BECAUSE THESE COUNTRIES OFTEN RESPRESENT THE ANTITHESIS OF THE TERRORIST'S DOGMA, AND BECAUSE DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES, WITH THEIR SOPHISTICATED MEDIA, FACILITATE THE TERRORIST'S DRIVE FOR PUBLICITY. THAT DEMOCRATIC NATIONS VALUE THE INDIVIDUAL IS ALSO A MAJOR FACTOR, BECAUSE TOTALITARIAN COUNTRIES, GIVEN THEIR REGARD FOR STRICT ORDER AND THE WELL-BEING OF THE STATE AS OPPOSED TO THE PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, ARE LESS LIKELY TO SUCCUMB TO THE DEMANDS OF HOSTAGE-TAKERS. (KBL)