Any traveler could become a hostage. The odds of that happening are extremely low when the number of travelers is compared to the number of people that have actually become a hostage. However, there is always a chance that a traveler could end up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. With this in mind, the traveler should make sure that his/her affairs are in order before they travel abroad. Items of particular importance to an individual in a hostage situation are an up to date will, insurance policy and a power of attorney for the spouse. If these items have been taken care of before departure, the employee will not have to worry about the family's welfare and the hostage can focus all of his/her efforts on the one thing of paramount importance and that is SURVIVAL!
To survive, travelers should realize that there are certain dynamics involved in a hijacking or a kidnapping, and, to increase their ability to survive, they must understand how these interacting forces affect the end result. Each individual involved in an incident of this type will have an impact on the eventual outcome. One wrong move by either a victim or a perpetrator could easily result in a disaster rather than a peaceful conclusion to the incident.
The first thing that a traveler should remember is that he or she is not the only one that is scared and nervous. Everyone involved is in the same emotional state, including the perpetrators. Fear can trigger a disaster, and it does not take much for some individuals to set off a defensive spate of violence. Whether it is a demonstration of violence to reinforce a demand or to incite fear in the minds of the hostages, the violence will be motivated by fanaticism and/or fear and that violence will be directed at the person(s) who are perceived to be a threat or a nuisance to the hijackers.
Terrorist activities are a worldwide ongoing threat and since 11 September 2001, U.S. citizens are aware that they can become a target of an attack almost anywhere at any time. Terrorism is the unlawful or threatened use of force or violence by a revolutionary organization against individuals or property, with the intention of coercing or intimidating governments or societies, often for political or ideological purposes. Political terrorism is calculated and rational, not "mindless". Terrorists usually seek to create a credible threat or political leverage, rather than mass destruction. Their immediate objectives are primarily psychological (as opposed to territorial) to instill fear among the populace, disrupt the government, induce a general loss of confidence in the existing social order or governmental policies, and provoke legal authority to adopt repressive measures. The more common types of violence committed by terrorists include bombing, hijacking, kidnapping, and assassination. Robbery committed to finance operations or acquire weapons also plays an important role in furthering terrorist objectives.
Most terrorists seem to lack respect for life, gender, age, race, creed, color, or national origin. They seem intent primarily on disruption, destruction, and publicity. Incidents throughout the world have tended to reinforce this assessment of their intent. Their targets have been located primarily in the free world or their actions have been aimed at free world countries. Prime targets in the past have included embassies and consulates, airline terminals, and aircraft. Random acts have run the gamut and have involved kidnappings and assaults, destruction of utilities such as power stations, and isolated rocket attacks. Designed to counter the terrorist threat, the protective measures contained in the following “Countering The Terrorist Threat” section will help the traveler have a safer and more secure journey.
The likelihood of terrorist incidents is increasing and varies according to country or area of the world, generally depending on the stability of the local government and the degree of frustration felt by indigenous groups or individuals. In the past, government institutions and facilities were the primary targets with a relatively small number of attacks directed at American foreign business operations and civilians. Since 11 September 2001 the public has become more aware that innocent civilians, including civilians in the U.S., are at a much greater risk.
When an act of terrorism does occur, it often has dire consequences: murder, hostage taking, property destruction. Much has been learned about the mental¬ity of terrorists, their methods of opera¬tion, and the behavior patterns of both victims and perpetrators.
Alert individuals, prepared for pos¬sible terrorist acts, can minimize the likelihood that these acts will be success¬fully carried out against them. While there is no absolute protection against terrorism, there are a number of reason¬able precautions that can provide some degree of individual protection.
While total protection from acts of terrorism is impossible, understanding the following basic protective measures will significantly reduce your risk:
• Be aware that individual precautions can substantially reduce the probability of a successful terrorist act.
• As a foreigner, maintain a "low profile" by avoiding, to the extent possible, local news coverage, ostentatious dress and activities, and large social events.
• Know what to do in emergencies.
• Know and avoid high risk areas and be cautious when mingling with crowds.
• Vary travel routes and patterns and avoid predictable personal routines.
• Keep office personnel and families informed of itinerary and whereabouts.
• Be alert for surveillance, be cautious with strangers, and avoid casually giving personal data such as address and telephone numbers.
• Know enough of the host country language to master emergency phrases and be able to use the telephone.
The following suggestions should be considered in dealing with a hostage situation:
• Recognize the possibility of becoming a hostage and be aware that the U.S. Government will work to obtain your release.
• Know that chances of survival are high and that personal conduct can influence treatment in captivity.
• Have family affairs in order, including an up to date will, appropriate powers of attorney, and measures taken to ensure family financial security. Issues of continuing the children's education, family relocation, and disposition of property should be discussed with family members.
• Provide assurance of cooperation to the terrorists, especially during the abduction phase.
• Stay alert after seizure, note sounds, direction of movement, passage of time, conversations of terrorists, and other information that might be useful.
• Understand the emotional impact of being kidnapped to help in the recovery from the initial shock and fear.
• Anticipate isolation and possible attempts at disorientation.
• Attempt to develop rapport with the terrorists. Seek areas of mutual interest without displaying sympathy with the captors' cause or ideology.
• During interrogations, Take a simple, tenable position and stick to it, be polite and remain calm.
• Give short answers, talk freely about non essential matter, but be guarded when conversations turn to matters of substance.
• Do not be lulled by a friendly approach.
• Briefly affirm belief in basic democratic principles, and if forced to present written or taped terrorist demands to authorities, state clearly that the demands are from the captors, and avoid making pleas that appear to support the terrorists.
• Maintain your dignity and respect by actions not demands.
• During rescue operations, avoid sudden moves. The safest action is to drop to the floor and remain there until rescued.
Kidnapping Survival
Kidnapping is a terrifying experience, but you possess more personal resources than you may be aware of to cope with the situation. Remember, if they had wanted to kill you they would not have taken you alive so you are only of value to them alive, and they want to keep you that way.
The common hostage responses of fear, denial, and withdrawal are all experienced in varying degrees. You may be blindfolded, drugged, handled roughly, or even stuffed in the trunk of a car. If drugs are administered, don't resist. Their purpose will be to sedate you and make you more manageable; these same drugs may actually help you to get control of your emotions, which should be your immediate goal. If conscious, follow your captors' instructions.
Kidnapping can take place in public areas where someone may quietly force you, by gunpoint, into a vehicle. They can also take place at a hotel or residence, again by using a weapon to force your cooperation in leaving the premises and entering a vehicle. The initial phase of kidnapping is a critical one because it provides one of the best opportunities to escape.
The following suggestions should be considered if in an abduction situation:
• If you are in a public area at the time of abduction, make as much commotion as possible to draw attention to the situation.
• If the abduction takes place at your hotel room, make noise, attempt to arouse the suspicion or concern of hotel employees or of those in neighboring rooms. The fact that an abduction has taken place will be brought to the attention of authorities and the process of notification and search can begin. Otherwise, it could be hours or days before your absence is reported.
• Once you have been forced into a vehicle, you may be blindfolded, physically attacked (to cause unconsciousness), drugged, or forced to lie face down on the floor of the vehicle. In some instances, hostages have been forced into trunks or specially built compartments for transporting contraband.
• Do not struggle in your confined state; calm yourself mentally, concentrate on surviving.
• Employ your mind by attempting to visualize the route being taken, take note of turns, street noise, smells, etc. Try to keep track of the amount of time spent between points.
• Once you have arrived at your destination, you may be placed in a temporary holding area before being moved again to a more permanent detention site. If you are interrogated retain a sense of pride but be cooperative.
• Only divulge information that cannot be used against you.
• Do not antagonize your interrogator with obstinate behavior.
• Concentrate on surviving; if you are to be used as a bargaining tool or to obtain ransom, you will be kept alive.
• After reaching what you may presume to be your permanent detention site (you may be moved several more times), quickly settle into the situation.
• Be observant—Notice the details of the room, the sounds of activity in the building and determine the layout of the building by studying what is visible to you. Listen for sounds through walls, windows or out in the streets, and try to distinguish between smells.
• Stay mentally active by memorizing as many details as possible. Exercise your memory and practice retention.
• Keep track of time. Devise a way to track the day, date and the time, and use it to devise a daily schedule of activities for yourself.
• Know your captors. Memorize their schedule, look for patterns of behavior to be used to your advantage, and identify weaknesses or vulnerabilities as an opportunity escape.
• Remain cooperative. Attempt to establish rapport with your captors or guards. Once a level of communication is achieved, try asking for items which will increase your personal comfort. Make them aware of your needs.
• Stay physically active, even if your movement is extremely limited. Use isometric and flexing exercises to keep your muscles toned.
• If you detect the presence of other hostages in the same building, devise ways to communicate.
• Do not be uncooperative, antagonistic, or hostile towards your captors. It is a fact that hostages who display this type of behavior are kept captive longer or are singled out for torture or punishment.
• Watch for signs of Stockholm Syndrome which occurs when the captive, due to the close proximity and the constant pressures involved, begins to relate to, and empathize with, the captors. In some cases, this relationship has resulted in the hostage become empathetic to the point that he/she actively participates in the activities of the group. You should attempt to establish a friendly rapport with your captors, but maintain your personal dignity and do not compromise your integrity.
• If you are able to escape, attempt to get first to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to seek protection. If you cannot reach either, go to a host government or friendly government entity.
Hijacking Survival
In the past, hijackers were not motivated to use a hijacked aircraft as a tactical weapon. Since 11 September 2001 the rules changed and we learned how effective this type of attack could be. In the past if you remained compliant with the demands of the hijackers there was a good chance the aircraft would land (somewhere) and you could survive. Now, in some situations, the only hope of survival may be in attacking the hijackers and recovering control of the aircraft.
The physical takeover of the aircraft by the hijackers may be characterized by noise, commotion, and possibly shooting and yelling, or it may be quiet and methodical with little more than an announcement by a crew member. These first few minutes of the hijacking are crucial.
The following suggestions should be considered if you are in a hijacking situation:
• Assess the situation carefully and try to determine the “true” objective of the hijackers.
• Stay calm, and encourage others around you to do the same.
• Remember that the hijackers are extremely nervous and are possibly scared.
• Comply with your captor(s) directions if you feel this will produce a peaceful outcome.
• If shooting occurs, keep your head down or drop to the floor.
• Remain alert and look for an opportunity to your advantage.
Once the takeover of the aircraft has occurred, you may be separated by citizenship, sex, race, etc. Your passport may be confiscated and your carry on luggage ransacked. The aircraft may be diverted to another country or as in the case of 11 September 2001 may be used as a greater terror weapon. The hijackers may enter into a negotiation phase which could last indefinitely and/or the crew may be forced to fly the aircraft to yet another destination. During this phase passengers may be used as a bargaining tool in negotiations, lives may be threatened, or a number of passengers may be released in exchange for fuel, landing/departure rights, food, etc. This will be the longest phase of the hijacking.
The following suggestions should be considered during this phase of the hijacking:
• If you are told to keep your head down or maintain another body position, talk yourself into relaxing into the position; you may need to stay that way for some time.
• Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for a long ordeal.
• Do not attempt to hide your passport or belongings.
• If addressed by the hijackers, respond in a regulated tone of voice.
• Use your time wisely by observing the characteristics and behavior of the hijackers, mentally attach nicknames to each one and notice their dress, facial features and temperaments.
• If you or a nearby passenger is in need of assistance due to illness or discomfort, solicit the assistance of a crew member first. Do not attempt to approach a hijacker unless similar assistance has been rendered by them for other passengers.
• If you are singled out by the hijackers, be responsive but do not volunteer information.
The last phase of the hijacking is resolution, be it by use of a hostage rescue team or resolution through negotiation. In the latter instance, the hijackers may simply surrender to authorities or abandon the aircraft, crew and passengers.
The experience of others will be help¬ful to you if you are the victim of a hijack-ing. Blend in with the other airline pas¬sengers. Avoid eye contact with your captors. Remember there may be other hijackers covertly mixed among the regu¬lar passengers.
Although captors may appear calm, they cannot be trusted to behave reasona¬bly or rationally at all times. Stay alert, but do not challenge them physically or verbally if possible. Comply with their instructions.
If interrogated, keep answers short and limited to nonpolitical topics. Carry a family photo; at some point you may be able to appeal to captors' family feelings.
Minimize the importance of your job. Give innocuous reasons for traveling. Never admit to any accusations.
Armed Assault on the Ground
Hostages taken by ground assault are in a situation similar to hijacking except that it occurs within buildings. Business offices, banks, embassies, and trains have been targets. The same advice for dealing with hijackers applies to ground assaults. Should shooting occur, seek cover or lie flat on the floor.
Terrorist Demands
U.S. Government policy is to make no concessions to terrorist demands. How¬ever, such a decision on the part of pri¬vate individuals or companies is a per¬sonal one and in some special circum¬stances may be made by the family or company of the victim. Whatever the decision, it should conform to local law.
Terrorist Surveillance
Terrorists may shadow an intended victim at length and with infinite pa¬tience before an actual abduction or assassination is attempted. Initial sur¬veillance efforts may be clumsy and could be spotted by an alert target.
In most cases, more than one individ¬ual is a likely candidate for the terrorist act. Usually the choice is based on the probability of success. In one documented instance, both an American and another country's representative were under surveillance. Though the American was the first choice of the terrorists, their surveillance showed that it would be more difficult to kidnap him. Conse¬quently, the other individual was ab¬ducted and spent a long period in captivity.
Precise risks of surveillance and popu¬lar local tactics can be explained by your company's security representative. How¬ever, you must also learn to cultivate a "sixth sense" about your surroundings.
Know what is normal in your neigh¬borhood and along your commute routes, especially at choke points. If you know what is ordinary, you will notice anything extraordinary such as people who are in the wrong place or dressed inappropriately, or cars parked in strange locations.
Be particularly observant whenever you leave your home or office. Look up and down the street for suspicious ve¬hicles, motorcycles, mopeds, etc. Note people near your home who appear to be repair personnel, utility crew teams, even peddlers. Ask yourself if they appear genuine.
Become familiar with vehicle makes and models; learn to memorize license numbers. Determine if a pattern is devel¬oping with specific vehicles. See if cars suddenly pull out of parking places or side streets when you pass. Cars with extra mirrors or large mirrors are suspicious.
Be aware of the types of surveillance: stationary (at residence, along route, at work); following (on foot, by car); monitor¬ing (of telephone, mail); searching (of luggage, personal effects, even trash); and eavesdropping (electronic and personal). An elaborate system involving several people and cars might be used.
Make their job tougher by not being predictable. Eat at different times and places. Stagger professional and social activities; don't play tennis "every Wednesday at three," for example.
Know the choke points on your routes and be aware of other vehicles, vans, or motorcycles as you enter those bottleneck areas. Search out safe havens that you can pull into along the route.
Drive with windows rolled up to within 2 inches of the top and lock all doors. Report any suspicious activity promptly to law enforcement.
Avoid using unlicensed cabs or cabs that appear out of nowhere. Do not per-mit taxi drivers to deviate from desired route.
Be circumspect with members of the press, as terrorists often pose as journal¬ists. Do not submit to interviews or allow photographs to be made in or of your home.
Always speak guardedly and caution children to do the same. Never discuss travel or business plans within hearing of servants. Terrorist and Criminals consider children and servants to be a prime source of information. Always assume that your telephone is tapped.
In elevators, watch for anyone who waits for you to select your floor, then pushes a button for the one just above or below yours.
If you become aware of surveillance, don't let those watching you know you are onto them. And certainly never confront them. Immediately notify your appropriate company representative.
Memorize emergency numbers, and carry change for phone calls.
Captivity
A hostage taking situation is at its worst at the onset. The terrorists are nervous and unsure, easily irritated, often irrational. It is a psychologically traumatic moment for the hostage. Vio¬lence may be used even if the hostage remains passive, but resistance could result in death.
If taken hostage, your best defense is passive cooperation. You may be terri-fied, but try to regain your composure as soon as possible and to organize your thoughts. Being able to behave rationally increases your chances for survival. The more time that passes, the better your chances of being released alive.
The following suggestions should be considered while in captivity:
• As in the case of hijackings, try to establish some kind of rap¬port with your captors. Family is a uni¬versal subject. Avoid political dialogues, but listen attentively to their point of view. If you know their language, listen and observe; and if addressed, use it.
• Plan on a lengthy stay, and deter¬mine to keep track of the passage of time. Captors may attempt to confuse your sense of time by taking your watch, keep¬ing you in a windowless cell, or serving meals at odd hours. However, you can approximate time by noting, for example, changes in temperatures between night and day; the frequency and intensity of outside noises—traffic, whistles, birds; and by observing the alertness of guards.
• Maintain your dignity and self ¬respect at all times.
• Manage your time by setting up schedules for simple tasks, exercises, daydreaming, and housekeeping.
• Build relations with fellow captives and with the terrorists. If hostages are held apart, devise ways to communicate with one another. Where hostages are moved back and forth, to bathrooms for example, messages can be written and left. However, do not jeopardize your safety or the safety or treatment of others if attempting to communicate with fellow captives seems too risky.
• Maintain your physical and mental health; it is critical to exercise body and mind. Eat food provided without com¬plaint; keep up your strength. Request medical treatment or special medicines if required.
• Establish exercise and relaxation programs. Exercise produces a healthy tiredness and gives you a sense of accom¬plishment. If space is confined, do iso¬metrics. Relaxation reduces stress. Tech¬niques include meditation, prayer, day¬dreaming.
• Keep your mind active; read any¬thing available. Write, even if you are not allowed to retain your writings. If materials are not available, mentally compose poetry or fiction, try to recall Scripture, or design a house.
• Take note of the characteristics of your captors and surroundings: their habits, speech, contacts; exterior noises (typical of city or country); and other distinctive sounds. This information could prove very valuable later.
• If selected for early release, consider it an opportunity to help remaining hos-tages. Details you have observed on the terrorists and the general situation can assist authorities with a rescue.
• You can expect to be accused of work¬ing for the government's intelligence service, to be interrogated extensively, and to lose weight. You may be put in isolation; your captives may try to disori¬ent you. It is important that you men-tally maintain control.
Avoidance of Capture or Escape
Efforts to avoid capture or to attempt escape have in most cases been futile. The decision, however, is a personal one, although it could affect fellow hostages by placing them in jeopardy. Several other considerations should be weighed.
To have any chance of success, you should be in excellent physical condition and mentally prepared to react before the terrorists have consolidated their posi¬tion. This, also, is the riskiest psychologi¬cal time. You would need to have a plan in mind, and possibly have been trained in special driving tactics or other survival skills.
If you are held in a country in which you would stand out because of race or other physical characteristics, if you know nothing of the language or your location, or if you are held in a country where anti¬ American or anti Western attitudes prevail, you should consider the conse¬quences of your escape before attempting it.
If you conclude that an escape attempt is worthwhile, take terrorists by surprise and you may make it. If their organiza¬tion has a poor track record of hostage safety, it may be worth the risk.
Rescue
The termination of any terrorist inci¬dent is extremely tense. If an assault force attempts a rescue, it is imperative that you remain calm and out of the way. Make no sudden moves or take any action by which you could be mistaken for a terrorist and risk being injured or killed.
Even in a voluntary release or surren¬der by the terrorists, tensions are charged and tempers volatile. Very precise in¬structions will be given to the hostages, either by the captors or the police. Follow instructions precisely. You may be asked to exit with hands in the air, and you may be searched by the rescue team. You may experience rough treatment until you are identified and the situation has stabi¬lized.
Finally, it's worth keeping in mind the following facts about terrorism:
• The overwhelming majority of victims have been abducted from their vehicles on the way to or from work.
• A large number of people taken hostage ignored the most basic security precautions.
• Terrorist tactics are not static. As precautions prove effective, they change their methods.
• There is a brief "window of vulnerability" while we learn to counter their new styles.
COUNTER-TERRORIST TECHNIQUES
• Do not settle into a routine.
• Vary times and routes to and from work or social engagements.
• Remember, there is safety in numbers. Avoid going out alone.
• When traveling long distances by automobile, go in a convoy. Avoid back country roads and dangerous areas of the city.
• A privately owned car generally offers the best security but avoid osten¬tatious cars.
• Keep your automobile in good repair and the gas tank at least half full.
• Driving in the center lane of a mul¬tiple lane highway makes it difficult for the car to be forced off the road.
Arrest
One of the most frightening experiences an American citizen can face is arrest and being detained in a foreign country. Depending on the country, you may not be able to contact anyone for hours. Police, Military and Intelligence agencies detain people for a number of reasons and in some instances, for no reason at all other then curiosity. The best advice is to be polite and professional. The employee should ask to contact the embassy or consulate. This may be your right but it does not mean that you will be able to exercise the right. You should maintain your dignity and not be provocative; however, you should be firm with your request to contact an American official. You should not admit or sign anything! Some countries ask the person to sign a “simple statement” in their language. Americans have signed such statements in an attempt to appease the official thinking it would result in immediate release. This is a common trick used by some police and does not result in your release.
U.S. Terrorist Policy
U.S. policy is firmly committed to resisting terrorist blackmail. The U.S. Government will not pay ransom for the release of hostages. It will not support the freeing of prisoners from incarceration in response to terrorist demands. Concessions to terrorist blackmail would merely invite further demands. The U.S. Govern¬ment actively encourages other governments to adopt a similar position. While the U.S. Government will not negotiate with terrorists on the substance of their demands, it does not rule out contact and dialogue with hostage takers if such action will promote the safe release of hostages.
In terrorist incidents abroad, the U.S. Government looks to the host government to exercise its responsibility under international law to protect all persons within its territories and to bring about the safe release of hos¬tages. However, it is clear that some foreign governments do support some terrorist groups. In some cases, the U.S. Government may be able to provide foreign governments the services of terrorism experts and other specialized assistance, including military equip¬ment, and personnel to fight terrorist activities.
Specific U.S. Policy Guidance
In the event U.S. citizens are taken hostage abroad, the U.S. Embassy will convey U.S. policy to the host government. The embassy will encourage the host government to resolve any terrorist incident in a manner that, while safeguarding the lives of the hostages, does not permit the terrorists to achieve their objectives. The host government will be reminded of its obligation to bring the terrorists to justice.
International cooperation to combat terrorism is essential because all governments, regardless of philosophy, are vulnerable.
Use of Force
If the host government asks for advice from the U.S. Government regarding the use of force to resolve an incident, a response will probably be as follows: (1) The ultimate decision regarding a strategy for dealing with terrorists and the successful termination of an incident must remain with the host government, and (2) the U.S. Government believes it is inappropriate to provide advice because it would not be party to the negotia¬tions or negotiating process.
In the past, experience has shown that most hostage situations, including hijackings, result in a peaceful solution when using a strategy designed to buy time and wear down the terrorists however; the events of 11 September 2001 have demonstrated, at least in the case of hijackings, a more pro-active and direct approach may be the only survival option left for the victim.
Humanitarian Appeals
Although there is only a limited chance of success¬fully appealing to the terrorists' humanitarian instincts, indirect appeals may have a positive influence and may cause terrorists to be concerned about alienating key support groups, sympathetic governments, or world opinion.
Appeals to the following groups or individuals may prove to be valuable:
• The United Nations Secretary General.
• Third World countries considered friendly to the terrorists.
• The dean of the local diplomatic corps.
• Spouses and children of hostages asking for the return of their family members.
• The terrorists' leaders or supporters, who may profess innocence to involvement with the specific incident.
• Religious leaders.
• The counterproductive aspects of reporting on any operational activities of the police, military, or their counter-terrorism forces should be emphasized.
Caution with press interviews of unknown or amateur "experts" on terrorists' motivation or background should be urged.
Action Options
Should senior U.S. Government officials or corporate senior executives be encouraged to
intervene with the host government?
Consider the most senior level at which contact with the host government should be established.
Critical negotiating issues with the hostages include:
a. The potential crucial threat to the life of the hostage.
b. The corporation has the authority to negoti¬ate release.
c. The company will cooperate with law en¬forcement officials.
d. It must be recognized that negotiating is an ex¬tremely sensitive issue and
corporations should consider, in advance, responses to possible hostage negotiations.
Hostage Negotiations
In the event of a hostage taking, some type of communication can be anticipated in the form of a letter, a telephone call, an audio tape or videotape, or possibly a hand delivered message or tape to the office or home of the hostage. If legal, and/or appropriate to do so, place a recorder on the appropriate telephones at home and office of the hostage and monitor them around the clock in the early stages of the incident. Also assign someone, if the police do not, to establish effective liaison with the appropriate post office to ensure that all mail directed to the hostage's home is immediately delivered, regardless of the time of day or night. Handle the contents of such mail with great care to ensure that it is not unduly handled, to protect latent fingerprints and other evidence.
