NCJ Number
63439
Journal
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1971) Pages: 6-11
Date Published
1971
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A SPECIAL INTERDEPARTMENTAL TASK FORCE WAS ESTABLISHED WITHIN CANADA'S DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS TO DEAL WITH THE KIDNAPPING OF A BRITISH OFFICAL. THE TASK FORCE AND ITS EFFORTS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE TASK FORCE, MADE UP OF MEMBERS OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE, THE PRIVY COUNCIL, THE POLICE, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, WAS CREATED WITHIN MINUTES OF THE KIDNAPPING OF SENIOR TRADE COMMISSIONER JAMES CROSS. IT WAS DESIGNED AS A BASE WITH READY ACCESS TO ALL INFORMATION MEDIA AND DECISIONMAKING CENTERS INVOLVED IN THE CRISIS. BECAUSE OF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL OBLIGATIONS UNDER CONVENTIONS FOR THE WELL-BEING OF DIPLOMATS, THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS WAS ALSO INVOLVED. THROUGH COOPERATIVE ACTIONS OF THE TASK FORCE, THE VARIOUS DEMANDS OF THE FLQ (FRONT FOR LIBERATION OF QUEBEC) KIDNAPPERS WERE HEARD AND REJECTED. AMONG THE FLQ DEMANDS WAS ONE FOR SAFE CONDUCT FOR THE KIDNAPPERS THEMSELVES AND FOR 23 SO-CALLED POLITICAL PRISONERS. THE TASK FORCE ADVISED FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED AND TRIED TO WORK OUT CONDITIONS FOR SAFE CONDUCT FOR THE KIDNAPPERS BUT DENIED THIS TO THE PRISONERS WHO HAD BEEN CONVICTED THROUGH NORMAL LEGAL MEANS. DETAILS OF THE SAFE CONDUCT ARRANGEMENTS ARE GIVEN, ALONG WITH THE TASK FORCE'S CONTINGENCY PLANS AND EFFORTS TO ASSESS THE MOOD OF THE KIDNAPPERS AND SORT OUT THE FLOW OF INFORMATION. AFTER THE CANADIAN AIRCRAFT MANNED BY CANADIAN PERSONNEL COMPLETED THE SAFE CONDUCT AND THE HOSTAGE WAS RELEASED, THE OFFICERS WHO COMPRISED THE TASK FORCE RETURNED TO THEIR REGULAR DUTIES. (RFC)