Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the victim of a kidnapping was taught to remain passive and not resist the
kidnappers. The problem with the automatic application of the passive
approach is that your kidnapper may have no intention of using you to
trade. Often individuals are kidnapped for interrogation, torture, and
execution. The kidnapping of
Wall Street Journal
reporter Daniel Pearl is a
recent example. From the very beginning of that incident, it was clear that
his kidnappers had no intention of releasing him. Kidnappers' demands
must have some level of reasonableness.
For example, a group that kidnapped an American tourist is not likely
to say that the victim will be safely returned once the United States has
deactivated every one of its military bases overseas. On its face the
demand itself shows that the intention of the terrorist is not to bargain.
Daniel Pearl was taken not to bargain but to terrorize. His abductors took
him to savagely strike back in a way that only pathetic and vicious socio-
pathic criminals know how to do: by inflicting pain on someone helpless
to prevent it. Did murdering Pearl further anyone's cause? Of course not.
Nothing tangible could have been gained from such a senseless act.
Terrorists aren't the only ones who kidnap people just to kill them
for their own personal pleasure. In 1986, Drug Enforcement Administra-
tion (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was kidnapped in
Guadalajara, Mexico, by police officers working for drug traffickers. He
was tortured to extract information about law enforcement knowledge of
the traffickers' operation. Then Camarena was tortured to death for the
amusement of his abductors. The traffickers even had a doctor present to
keep Camarena alive for as long as possible to prolong his agony.
The point in discussing these stories is to emphasize that no one blan-
ket approach is correct. In hindsight, it would have been better for Pearl
and Camarena to resist their kidnappers to the point of death, since that
would have spared their families and themselves further agony and pain.
The problem is that there is no way of knowing whether you are being
taken for trade or to simply be murdered at the convenience of the abduc-
tors. Ultimately, the decision can only be yours. As in the situation dis-
cussed with hijackings, you must decide whether to cooperate or resist.
This is an old conundrum that has plagued women discussing the best
response to an attempted rape: submit or resist. If you are being kid-
napped, will the situation get better or worse? There is no way of know-
ing. Each of us must decide for ourselves how we intend to react if we are
placed in that situation.
