Counter-terrorism tactical negotiations in focus of OSCE events in Turkmenistan
ASHGABAT, 23 July 2015 – Counter-terrorism hostage negotiations tactics were discussed during an OSCE-organized training course that will conclude in Ashgabat today.
The four-day training course brought together 25 operational-level officials representing Turkmenistan’s ministries of National Security, Defense and Interior, Turkmenistan Airlines, State Border and Migration Services and General Prosecutor’s Office.
Referring to the 2001 OSCE Ministerial Council Declaration on Combating Terrorism which states that “the OSCE participating States will not yield to terrorist threats, but will combat them by all means, Richard Wheeler, Political Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, said: “The beginning of the 21st century saw the emergence of new threats to security, primarily terrorism. We will continue to assist the host government in enhancing the capacity of relevant state bodies to effectively combat terrorism through the exchange of best practices in conducting hostage negotiations.”
Two international experts focused on definitions of terrorism and types of hostage takers and addressed different phases of negotiations, including understanding the situation and information gathering. The course also addressed principles, models and tools of negotiations, as well as hostage incidents, framing theory and negotiations philosophy. Practical exercises enabled participants to enhance their crisis management, hostage negotiations and decision making skills.
The training course was preceded by a roundtable on counter-terrorism tactical negotiations which was attended by senior officials from law enforcement, security and military agencies. The event offered a platform for discussions on the role of decision-makers in planning, designing strategies and conducting hostage negotiations.