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1553425
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April 8, 1976 - Scowcroft, Senator Robert Taft, Edwin Dodd (Owens-Illinois)
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1553425
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document
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April 8, 1976 - Scowcroft, Senator Robert Taft, Edwin Dodd (Owens-Illinois)
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collections
Memoranda of Conversations (Nixon and Ford Administrations)
Ford Administration Memoranda of Conversations
subjects
Venezuela
Kidnapping
Terrorism
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1553425
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8
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1976-04-08
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4
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1976
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day
8
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1976-04-08
month
4
year
1976
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File scanned from the National Security Adviser's Memoranda of Conversation Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
2163
CONFIDENTIAL DS
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
April 8, 1976
SUBJECT:
Niehous Kidnapping and Owens-Illinois
Expropriation
PARTICIPANTS:
Brent Scowcroft, Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs
Senator Robert Taft
Edwin Dodd, President, Owens-Illinois
John Marsh
Stephen Low, NSC Staff 8L
TIME AND PLACE:
2:00 p.m., Brent Scowcroft's Office
Mr. Dodd reviewed the history of the Niehous case, from his kidnapping
on February 27 to the events of the last two days. He described the
situation as reported, adding two further points. The company had
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
this separate confidential channel that it became evident to the company
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.
General Scowcroft explained the difficulties of dealing with the problems
of Niehous' safety, discouraging further kidnapping, and the exprepria-
tion issue. He noted that Ambassador Shlaudeman had met with President
Perez on Wednesday evening, expressing our displeasure with the use
FORD
DECLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL/GDS
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NSC MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES State
BY hh
, NARA. DATE 7/1/04
CONFIDENTIAL
2
of expropriation as a sanction against the company. He noted,
however, President Perez felt very strongly the need to react firmly
against terrorism but said that Perez had told the Ambassador that
he had no desire to persecute Owens-Illinois. He told Mr. Dodd
that we understood the company's problem and would be as helpful
as possible.
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.
CONFIDENTIAL
MH
2163
ib
AH
MEMORANDUM
keep
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ACTION
CONFIDENTIAL/GDS
April 13, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
FROM:
STEPHEN LOWSE
SUBJECT:
Niehous Kidnapping and Owens-Illinois
Expropriation
Attached is a memorandum of conversation covering your meeting
with Edwin Dodd, the President of Owens-Illinois, and Senator Taft.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you approve the memorandum.
*Approve woth Disapprove
CONFIDENTIAL/GDS
hh 7/1/04
10
DOC
RECD
LOG NU
R
MO
DA.
MO
DA
HR
INITIAL ACTION o
NSC CORRESPONDENCE PROFILE
4
13
18
7602163
TO: PRES
FROM: SECSTATE
$/S
UNCLAS LOG IN/OUT
SCOWCROFT
X
SECDEF
LOU
NO FORN
NODIS
HYLAND
DCI.
X REF
C
EYES ONLY
EXDIS
DAVIS
S
CODEWORD
SOURCE/CLASS/DESCRIPTION
STATE OTHER EXSEC Low
TS
SENSITIVE
SUBJECT Memcor of Scowcroft net w/ Dodd 4
Taft re mehous Rednepping & Owens
Illinois INTERNAL ROUTING AND Expropriation DISTRIBUTION REC ACTION
REQUIRED
ACTION
CONCOR.
COOR.
INFO
CY
RENCE
DINATE
FOR
ADV CYS S'CROFT/ WGH
MEMO FOR SCOWCROFT.
(
STAFF SECRETARY
MEMO FOR PRES
(
CONGRESSIONAL
REPLY FOR
ECONOMIC
DISTRIBUTION/INITIAL ACTION ASGMT
APPROPRIATE ACTION
1
EUR/ CANADA / OCEANS
MEMO
TO
(
FAR EAST/ PRC
RECOMMENDATIONS
(
INTELLIGENCE
JOINT MEMO
(
LATIN AMERICA
REFER TO
FOR:
MID EAST/ NO. AFRICA
ANY ACTION NECESSARY?
1
NSC PLANNING
CONCURRENCE
(
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
DUE DATE:
SCIENTIFIC
COMMENTS: INCLUDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS)
SUB-SAH/ AFRICA/ UN
DATE
FROM
TO
STATUS
DUE
CY TO
4/13
Scuft
+
Decision SUBSEQUENT ACTION (4/22) REQUIRED (OR TAKEN):
Janha
H-15
NSC/S
C
SUBSEQUENT ROUTING/ACTIONS
Notedby Scrift
DISPATCH
NOTIFY
MICROFILM a FILE ROMTS
NSC/S DISP INSTR
M/FD
BY
SPECIAL DISPOSITION:
ADD
1976
SPECIAL INDEXING:
SUSPENSE CY ATTACHED X
CLOSE
CRT ID: B
NS
DY
OPEN
WH
SA
FP
PA
NSC 76-21
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE - 599-022 - 1976
599-022
)