NIEHOUS KIDNAPPING AND OWENS-ILLINOIS EXPROPRIATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-284-13-2-0
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 22, 2009
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: April 8, 1976
• Content Type: MEMO

No Obiection To Declassification 2009/09/22: LOC-HAK-284-13-2-0 3
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
SUBJECT:
PARTICIPANTS:
TIME AND PLACE:
this separate confidential channel that it became evident to the company
information that the Government of Venezuela had been in direct con-
tact with the kidnappers without informing the company. It was only
when the GOV completely rejected the kidnappers' demands through
situation as reported, adding two further points. The. company had
on February 27 to the events of the last two days. He described the
Niehous Kidnapping and Owens-Illinois
Brent Scowcroft, Assistant to the President
Senator Robert Taft
for National Security Affairs
Stephen Low, NSC Staff g"
`
John Marsh
Edwin Dodd, President, Owens-Illinois
2: 00 p.m., Brent Scowcroft's Office
Mr. Dodd reviewed the history of the Niehous case, from his kidnapping
that it must take steps if Niehous' life was to be saved.
Mr. Dodd also made clear that the company had discussed the possibility
of.publication of the manifesto in the foreign press with the GOV which
had responded, "We would frown on your publishing it elsewhere.''.
Mr. Dodd said that the company understood the GOV could not approve
publication . " It had interpreted this relatively mild reply to mean. that
it would receive a rap on the knuckles, but nothing more. Therefore,
the company did not expect as severe punishment as it received. He
said he understood that President Perez could not publicly or totally,
back down from his initial statement and asked for US Government
help in getting the President to moderate his position.
Perez on Wednesday evening, expressing our displeasure with the use
tion issue. 'He noted that Ambassador Shlaudeman had met with President
General S. cowcroft explained the difficulties of dealing with the problems
of Niehous' safety, discouraging further kidnapping, and the expropria-
No Objection To Declassification 2009/09/22: LOC-HAK-284-13-2-0
 No Objection To Declassification 2009/09/22: LOC-HAK-284-13-2-0
that we understood the company's problem and would be as. helpful
as possible.
he had no desire to persecute Owens-Illinois. He told Mr. "Dodd
against terrorism but said that Perez had told the Ambassador that
however, President Perez felt very strongly the need to react firmly
of expropriation as a sanction against the company. He noted,
Senator Taft asked whether expropriation for this purpose would not
encourage further kidnapping and terrorism. The General fully agreed
and noted that our Ambassador had made .this point to President Perez.
Mr. Low pointed out the danger of any publicity being given to US
representation to President Perez which would make it more difficult
for him to back away from his initial position.
No Objection To Declassification 2009/09/22 : LOC-HAK-284-13-2-0