by Chester L. Quarles
Today’s missionary faces a new threat that can no longer be ignored. While it is not expected to change the practice of missions, terrorism may affect missionaries, their families, churches, and mission agencies.
Today’s missionary faces a new threat that can no longer be ignored. While it is not expected to change the practice of missions, terrorism may affect missionaries, their families, churches, and mission agencies.
The mission enterprise is not helpless in the face of this danger, however. By becoming aware of its vulnerability, and by acquiring a basic knowledge of the methods, goals, and objectives of terrorism, the missions community can take precautions to keep from being victimized.
Missionaries are most vulnerable in two settings—"at home" on the field, and while traveling in dangerous countries. The preventative measures presented here are based on personal research, travel in dangerous lands, studies of terrorism, and the experience of Contingency Preparation Consultants, a nonprofit security and training organization serving the mission community.
THE ENIGMA OF TERRORISM
Terrorism is difficult for police and government intelligence forces to understand. It is even more of an enigma for the evangelical Christian. Perhaps one explanation for this is that terrorism’s goals and objectives are obscured by the intensity of the violence.
Terrorism, however, is not mindless violence. Normally, it is a grand display of cunning, planning, power, and skill. Terrorists lack political and economic power in the traditional sense, so they resort to tactics designed to underscore the weaknesses and vulnerability of the target government and all of that government’s institutions.
The seemingly senseless skyjacking, kidnapping, or assassination comes into perspective when carefully examined and analyzed. Terrorism is a means to an end; the act is never the intended end in itself. The terrorists have real objectives. But they have come to believe they cannot achieve their goals quickly by legitimate means.
Terrorism is the systematic use of violence, or the threat of violence, to achieve political, social or economic goals. Terrorism today is an urban phenomenon distinct from acts of war, crime, or rural guerrilla deployments. The goal of the common criminal is to kill, steal, or molest. That is the beginning and the end of his ambition. Rural guerrillas want economic, social or political change within their own country. Guerrillas need the widespread support of the local population. In war between countries, there is a declared state of armed conflict against a stated enemy.
The terrorist is unique, however. He has a larger purpose behind the immediate act. His goal is to mold world opinion. In many cases, his organization is so tiny that it can be financed with small sums of money.
Shakespeare said in "Hamlet," that "All the world is a stage and the men are merely players." The terrorist uses this approach. The script is presented as a "morality" play, one that will focus attention on his cause. If the terrorist views the world as Shakespeare did, then he could be described as choreographer. The terroristic choreographer wants the players (a government) to dance to his tune. When the curtain goes up, the spotlight is on "center stage" and a worldwide audience watches tragedy unfold.
There are two kinds of terrorism, discriminate and indiscriminate. Discriminate terrorism is easier to understand. Such terrorists simply attack the enemy. The Irish Republican Army attack on a British army hostel is understandable. The victims are soldiers or potential combatants.
Indiscriminate terrorist acts, however, may injure non-combatants, civilians, tourists, international residents and people from all walks of life. Whether it is the bombing of a public place or the skyjacking of an airliner carrying members of one’s own race, creed, color, nationality or religion, indiscriminate terrorism assaults all people within range of the deed.
In many instances these "surrogate soldiers of warfare" simply want a sacrificial lamb, a scapegoat. What better scapegoat than an Americanâ— ”especially if the policies of the United States are not popular at the moment.
The seized foreigner serves a dual purpose. The U.S. embassy puts pressure on the host government. The press often has a field day describing the government’s profound impotence to deal with dissidents in its society or to protect its own citizens or foreigners. Tourists become fearful of traveling there, which often negatively impacts the local economy. The government loses if it does nothing or if it uses too little responsive force. The terrorists really win when the government responds with too much force or violence.
THE REPERTOIRE OF TERRORISM
Terrorists act with a limited technical repertoire. Bombings alone account for roughly half of all terroristic incidents. Six basic tactics comprise 95 percent of the total: bombings, assassinations, armed assaults, kidnappings, barricade and hostage situations, and hijackings. No terrorist group uses all of them. Approximately one-third of all terrorist incidents involve hostages.
In the last 10 years, the problem of terrorism has spread throughout the globe. Latin America leads the world in the volume and frequency of terroristic kidnapping. Europe experiences the largest number and frequency of bombings, although the Middle East leads the world in multiple fatality and extensive injury from a single bomb detonation. The "severity factor" belongs in the Middle East in the bombing category. In recent months, the more violent fundamentalist Muslim groups have obtained more press from their "choreography" of kidnappings than have Latin Americans.
The amount of terroristic activity directed against ordinary citizens has increased by 68 percent in less than a decade. "The proportion of incidents with multiple fatalities has risen dramatically from 33 percent in 1982 to 59 percent in 1983."
TERRORISM AND THE MISSION COMMUNITY
Wycliffe linguist Chester Bitterman and Presbyterian Bryan Lawrence are present-day examples of missionary hostage-taking. Bitterman’s incident resulted in a tragic execution after 41 days in captivity. Lawrence was released unharmed. The response to this violence may be increased tension, especially for the missionary, his organization, and his family in the U.S. or overseas.
Terrorists generally target male heads of households or businesses. They normally do not target families of businessmen, but fear for the family become a major concern for the provider. Terrorists rarely murder kidnapped hostages. It may encourage the victim to know that 98 percent of all kidnap victims are eventually freed.
Even in mass kidnappings, such as plane skyjackings where executions are considered a normal method of operation, Rand Researchers found that only 15 to 16 percent of all hostages were killed. Only 3 percent of the skyjack victims were executed by their kidnappers. Twelve percent died during assaults by security forces. Terrorists indeed want a lot of people watching—”not a lot of people dead.
In reality, Americans are more likely to die in an automobile accident or from diseases such as cancer or heart disease whether living at home or overseas. The fear of terrorism, much like the fear of any unknown, is greater than the probability of its occurrence warrants. One analyst suggested that the number of people who have died as a result of terrorism is roughly equivalent to the annual homicide rate of Flint, Michigan.
Never has terrorism, as differentiated from warfare, even approached the homicide rate in the southern United States. In the worst years of terrorism (1978-1984) the death rate was roughly equivalent to that of American fire fighters and police officers during the latter part of the turbulent sixties. There were about 80 violent deaths for police officers as compared to a U.S. population of nearly 500,000 police officers.
What are you going to do about it?
Even now, scholars and researchers are making inroads in understanding and combating terrorism. Simple precautions may be taken to avoid becoming a victim of terrorism. The key is understanding the phenomenon of terrorism. First, understand what the terrorist wants, and how his cultural and socioeconomic background affects his perspective. Then you can understand how Americans or Christian evangelicals fit into his scheme of things.
Risks can be ignored, removed, reduced or transferred. The missionary living in dangerous environs must decide what his action or reaction will be to street crime and terrorism. He or she can be "proactive" or "reactive."
An analysis of 781 kidnap operations since 1970 shows clearly that in the vast majority of cases, victims failed to exercise even elementary security precautions. Had victims used even basic security practices, the number of abductions probably would have been cut by 50 to 70 percent.
Missionaries are now more vulnerable because other Americans are seeking protective aid such as business and residential alarm systems, armored vehicles, bodyguards, and security plans. The missionary may not be able to have (or want) the armored car or other technological advantages. But he or she can have a basic understanding of terrorism and how to prevent it.
Missionaries can have security plans. Security specialists use a term called "target hardening" to describe crime prevention practices. These practices make it harder for a criminal or terrorist to victimize an institution, residence, or individual. A "soft" target is criminal jargon to describe easy prey that offers small risk and good return on the criminal’s investment.
Target hardening, or crime prevention, is not expensive. It is not even time consuming. But through simple practices, you can substantially increase your own safety and that of your family anywhere in the world. Through common sense methods, you can reduce your risk by large percentages.
Police and government officials carefully analyze terrorist documents and records. After successful raids, they often find extensive dossiers on particular target groups or individuals.
Police have found records indicating that individuals had been kept under surveillance for months, or even years. Yet, quite often, after planning to attack a particular person or institution, terrorists would change their minds. They would alter their tactics, strategy, and even their target.
Terrorists sometimes "step down" to softer targets because they want to be successful in any operation. Their goal is to make governments and organizations look vulnerable to their strategy. This means they must not fail. Consequently, if the probability of success is not strong, they will abort an operation. Even if the missionary is one of the last to leave a violent area, he can still use a crime prevention plan that will cause terrorists to look elsewhere for victims. Today this policy is an option; it is a necessary part of a competent missionary’s life.
CRIME PREVENTION WHILE TRAVELING
Travelers have become an attractive target for some terrorist groups in recent years. Nevertheless, there is much that missions personnel can do to reduce their risks during travel.
Overseas flight arrangements should be kept confidential by designated personnel within the mission organization. If a terrorist group is able to obtain travel-related information, the traveler’s risk of becoming a victim is greatly increased. Specific data such as dates, times, flight numbers, carriers, and hotel reservations should be available only on a need-to-know basis.
American Airlines security personnel suggest travelers use a simple code to communicate travel plans if it is necessary to inform someone in advance. With the use of a code, the data may be transferred by telephone, telex, or cable without fear of compromise. American Airlines says travelers should assume that messages may be received by someone other than the intended recipient. If the message is in code, potential danger is avoided.
Those who must travel to a particularly dangerous area should contact the U.S. Commerce Department’s Foreign Commercial Service. The State Department can also give useful travel-related information. These agencies can give valuable tips on whether it is suitable to travel at a particular time.
Anyone can become an attractive target for a terrorist. In fact, air travel, both domestic and international, greatly increases your chances of being affected by terrorism. Successful travelers blend in with their surroundings. They alter their travel deportment to become innocuous low-profile citizens.
Careful travel planning can significantly increase your security. One of the primary rules is to avoid any indication of status. For example, the director of a large mission organization traveling overseas should take sturdy, unpretentious luggage. Expensive luggage is a strong indication of wealth or status.
Luggage tags should be carefully marked to avoid indication of status. A dangerous luggage tag might say: "Dr. George C. Bigwig, Executive Director, International Ministries for Christ, Executive Headquarters Building, New York, New York 00000, U.S.A."
The designation of Ph.D., a Th.D., or a D.D. is a strong indication of power, wealth and status. This is not part of an acceptable security plan. The title "executive director" is also an indication of status. The name of the mission agency could be seen by members of fundamentalist religious groups. This too, is not in the best security interest. For example, to a Shiite Muslim defending his faith, the knowledge that an evangelical Christian leader of international status is available could be a strong plus in his evaluation of passengers on a plane. This unsuspecting Christian may even be chosen as the first sacrificial lamb.
A proper label, on the other hand, could read: "George Bigwig, 1315 Smith Avenue, Minerva, New York, 00000, U.S.A."
The address is indicated. Status is not. Do not be influenced by status indicators. A non-status oriented tag can still be used to recover lost luggage.
The luggage name tag should also be "status neutral" on any briefcase or other forms of carry-on luggage. Some travelers prefer luggage tags with closed faces, which cannot be read by a casual observer. Business cards, blank letterhead stationary and envelopes should be carried in checked luggage. All status indicators should be left at home, at the office, or in checked luggage. Never use a business card as a luggage tag.
An executive, or anyone in a high status position, should avoid the appearance of an accompanying "entourage." Staff members accompanying the executive in travel should be treated as equals. Avoid indicating status by giving orders.
SECURITY IN THE AIRPORT
Upon arrival at the airport, promptly check all luggage, and proceed to a more secure area of the airport. This is on the "other" side of the metal protectors and carry-on luggage X-ray review devices. Do not carry gifts, packages, or baggage for others unless you are totally aware of their contents. Some passengers even "band" their luggage to ensure no tampering occurs. Notify airline officials immediately if you believe someone has tampered with your luggage.
Anyone who witnesses unusual or suspicious activity at the airport or on board the airplane should immediately alert airport personnel.
For travel in dangerous lands, the choice of an airline is very important. The Israeli Airline, El Al, has the reputation of being the most security-conscious airline in the world. Forget about comfort, convenience, and the quality of cuisine when security is an issue. Indeed, the security-conscious traveler will avoid first-class seating, even when given on a complimentary basis by the airline.
The traveler should sit as far away from flight check-in desks as possible while waiting for the gates to open. These check-in desks have been compromised in years past by terrorist bombers. Travelers should also stay as far away as possible from garbage containers, decorative shrubbery or vending areas for the same reason.
Avoid first-class seating on flights near or over troubled lands. Dress conservatively. Expensive clothes, watches, or jewelry are definite attention attractors. You do not want attention in a terrorist encounter.
If possible, carry-on luggage should remain locked unless it is personally handled at all times. Combination locks are more secure than those that open with keys. A unique combination should be chosen, as opposed to selecting a 1-1-1 number on the left hand lock and a 2-2-2 number set on the right hand lock.
SECURITY ON BOARD
When selecting an airplane seat, be aware that window seats are safer. Passengers on the aisle side are more likely to be pistol-whipped during the first moments of a skyjacking. The further you are from the aisle, the more protected you are. Try to get a seat away from any emergency exit. A seat near the exit will place you in close proximity to a terrorist if the emergency exit is opened while the plane is parked on the tarmac. Also try to be seated as far from a bulkhead as possible.
In flight, conversation with strangers should be reasonably discreet. If you are sitting next to a terrorist or an intelligence officer of the country you are entering, your uninhibited conversation could get you into trouble. Obviously, you would not want to misrepresent yourself. Simply be aware of all indicators of status.
The following is an example of an acceptable conversation: A Ph.D., or Th.D. named William Smith, the chief executive officer of International Missions, could introduce himself without deceit and without indicating status.
He could say, "Hello, I am Bill Smith. I’m associated with International Missions." You do not have to volunteer that you are Dr. William Smith, the chief executive officer of the organization. You certainly do not want to discover that you have the highest status of anyone on a skyjacked plane. By failing to share all of the information, you have substantially increased your safety.
A SAFE ARRIVAL
When the airplane has landed, stay in the more secure area of the airport (behind the metal detectors, X-ray machine and the guards) to allow time for luggage to be removed and sent to the baggage check-in area. Pick up your luggage, clear customs, and depart as expeditiously as possible.
Do not remain inside an international airport any longer than is absolutely necessary. Depart from the airport parking lot as soon as possible.
If the people meeting you do not know you by sight, a special form of recognition should be agreed upon while making the flight arrangements. Try to avoid the placards in the airport lobby with "Dr. William Smith" printed in bold letters. Prearranged knowledge of mode of dress is an effective way to be recognized. Confirm that any driver or escort is who he claims to be. If there is any doubt, confirm by telephone.
When leaving the airport by taxi, take the next "approved" vehicle in the taxi line and depart. Do not even consider using the gypsy taxi system.
By being vigilant and observant, you can avoid becoming a victim. Stay aware — stay alert — stay alive. Crime prevention can be very simple if you know the rules and follow them.
—–
Copyright © 1987 Evangelism and Missions Information Service (EMIS). All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from EMIS.
