THE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1977. Beating the hijacker

Press, 21 October 1977, Page 12

THE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1977. Beating the hijacker

The risks in attacking the hijackers of the German aircraft which had landed in Somalia were enormous: so were the risks attached to giving in to the hijackers' demands, which would have encouraged such acts of terrorism. As it was. the commando squad made its raid successfully and all the passengers and the crew survived — a tribute to the efficiency, cunning, and daring of the West German commandos. The raid was apparently carried out with the agreement of the Somali Government at the request of the West German Government. Doubtless Somalia was glad to see the end of the business. It had probably been under some pressure not to permit any West German action but had responded instead with a sense of international responsibility. The murder by the hijackers of the pilot must make this hijacking one of the most infamous to have occurred.

The strong reaction of the International Federation of Airline Pilots’ Associations which has called a 48hour strike unless the United Nations adopts a satisfactory convention on hijackings is understandable. Still, it must be wondered whether this is the most effective way to tackle the problem. The solution to terrorism has to be international but already international conventions on hijacking exist and several countries have not ratified these. Whether the pilots’ action could force a Security Council debate and result in a mandatory agreement seems doubtful. The whole apparatus of trade sanctions against Rhodesia was sometimes openly defied and frequently ignored by many nations. An embargo by air lines and pilots on those countries

which offer amnesty to hijackers might be more effective. The political overtones of a United Nations session are likely to bring the debate to frustration.

The action by New Zealand pilots m joining the strike is best seen as supporting the principle rather than demanding greater security checks in New Zealand. The three international airports have fairly rigid security screening for international flights. The previous relaxed attitude has changed over the last 12 to 18 months. Planes heading for the United States would not be allowed in to that country if New Zealand did not check the passengers and luggage, but apart from that, New Zealand has a responsibility not only to its own citizens but to other world travellers to make thorough checks. As far as domestic flights are concerned, although there must always be some risk, the extent of it must be weighed against the inconvenience, the extra staff that would be needed, and the extra equipment. A plan exists to make security checks at short notice if it is felt necessary. New Zealand has a great many small airfields, served by small planes which would seem unlikely targets for hijackers, considering the distances which a plane would need to go to another country. Police have been training a squad to deal with an emergency in New Zealand. Although the absence of political prisoners and terrorist prisoners in New Zealand lessens the chances of an attack on a New Zealand aircraft, the possibilities of demands for ransom or a hijacking by a mentally sick person cannot be ignored.