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ry 7 @ - @ COMMENTARY It can be anticipated that the subjects in the Hearst kidnaping case or any other major hostage-situation_might demand a personal - confrontation with various individuals upon threat to harm the initial ---——- victim. This would probably occur more réadily if-the subjects were "cornered" with the victim or possibly even during'a period where their presence is unknown. It must be kept in mind when dealing with a "radical" group that their's might be a quasi-suicidal and/or assassination-type _ mission in this regard. We have always maintained that the safety of the - victim is.of paramount importance in our over-all operations. Even though there might be no outright request for an exchange of hostages, we must consider the situation that the mere fact that an "eye-to-eye" confrontation is effected could most easily turn into the sudden taking of an additional _ hostage or the intentional killing of the specified individual while the original victim has not yet been liberated and possibly is being used as a "cover" or even "bait."' With this in mind we should consider the alternatives available should such a personal confrontation arise or be demanded. There are a multitude of "classes" of individuals who might be. _- potential recipients of such a demand. Most of them, undoubtedly, would. - be prominent and influential people in their own fields such as Bureau © officials, Federal or state government officials, wealthy industrialists, celebrities, members of the media, representatives of foreign govern- ments, civil rights leaders, or a member of the victim's family, to name just a few. When such a demand is received, unless there aré drastically . overriding circumstances present, it would seem our first responsibility would be to immediately alert the individual whose presence was demanded’ so that appropriate protective measures might be instituted. Although the. Bureau historically has not been a protective-type agency, if such a situation arises there might be instances where it would be inevitable that we assume such a role in addition to that protection which might be afforded by local authorities. — Many other Gcvernment and private agencies and organizations. potentially might be involved in determining whether one of their personnel , would participate in such a meeting with the subjects even if a demand was received. Arrangements in “his: regard cannot be made instantaneously’ ons ~4-.