NCJ Number
48531
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 119-124
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE MARCH 1977 HANAFI TERRORIST ATTACK AND TAKEOVER IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW NEGOTIATION TECHNIQUES CAN EFFECTIVELY DIFFUSE AN IMPENDING TERRORIST THREAT.
Abstract
NEGOTIATION WAS THE BEST PROBLEMSOLVING APPROACH DURING THE HANAFI TAKEOVER BECAUSE THE TERRORISTS HAD ESTABLISHED THREE DIFFERENT AREAS OF OPERATION DURING THE SIEGE; MOUNTING AN ALL-OUT TACTICAL ASSAULT SIMULTANEOUSLY ON ALL THREE FRONTS WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE AUTHOR, CHIEF OF THE D.C. METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, COUNSELS OTHER OFFICERS THAT THERE IS RARELY A NEED TO TRY TO APPREHEND THE TERRORISTS AT THE ONSET OF THEIR OPERATIONS. FIRST, THERE SHOULD BE PERIODS OF ISOLATION, CONTAINMENT, AND THE TAKING UP OF STRATEGIC VANTAGE POINTS BY THE POLICE. NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN TO SLOW DOWN AND DISTRACT TERRORIST ACTIONS IN A CONSTANT EFFORT TO OBTAIN SAFETY FOR THE HOSTAGES. THE OVERRIDING PURPOSE OF NEGOTIATIONS IS TO STALL AND BUY TIME. THE REASONING BEHIND THIS IS THAT THE LONGER THE TERRORISTS SPEND WITH THE HOSTAGES WITHOUT TAKING A LIFE, THE LESS LIKELY THEY WILL DO SO. THE NEGOTIATIONS ALSO ALLOW TIME FOR THE POLICE FORCE TO PLAN FOR ALL EVENTUALITIES, THEREBY INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE TERRORISTS WILL MAKE A STRATEGIC MISTAKE WHICH WILL RESULT IN A SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION OF THE SITUATION. THE NEGOTIATOR SHOULD BE CHOSEN CAREFULLY AND SHOULD BE SOMEONE WHOM THE TERRORISTS WILL RESPECT. THE NEGOTIATOR SHOULD PRESENT A MATURE APPEARANCE BUT NEVER GIVE THE IMPRESSION OF BEING THE ULTIMATE DECISIONMAKER. THE PERSON WHO IS NEGOTIATING SHOULD BE IN A POSITION TO BARGAIN ON ANY ISSUE EXCEPT PROVIDING THE TERRORISTS WITH MORE WEAPONS OR HOSTAGES. THE NEGOTIATOR SHOULD NEVER MAKE SUGGESTIONS TO THE TERRORISTS, BUT ONLY RESPOND TO THE TERRORISTS' DEMANDS AS THEY ARE PRESENTED. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE NEGOTIATOR RECEIVE SOMETHING IN RETURN BEFORE AGREEING TO A DEMAND. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE NEGOTIATOR ALWAYS KEEP THE POSSIBILITY OF ESCAPE IN THE MINDS OF THE TERRORISTS IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP THE NEGOTIATIONS RUNNING SMOOTHLY AND TO KEEP THE HOSTAGES ALIVE. THESE SUGGESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL WORKED SUCCESSFULLY IN THE SIEGE OF WASHINGTON AND MAY BE THE BEST SOLUTION IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS. (JSP)