Political Kidnappings in Turkey, 1971-1972

A description and analysis of three incidents of political kidnapping involving foreign hostages that occurred in Turkey in 1971-1972. The kidnappers were local terrorists groups drawn from an activist leftist student movement that opposed U.S. influence in Turkey. In the first incident, four American airmen stationed outside Ankara were taken hostage; the victim in the second incident was the Israeli Consul-General in Istanbul; and those in the third incident were three civil NATO technicians. A detailed narrative is given of the events surrounding each kidnapping, together with an analysis of key factors for policy assessment, and some observations on lessons to be drawn from the cases. Policy positions taken by the hostages' governments were found to be less important than local political factors in determining outcomes of kidnapping incidents and prospects for further incidents. However, understanding of the local political situation and a flexible tactical approach may help enhance hostage survival.