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University Daily Kansan
Monday, Dec. 9, 1963
Johnson Offers Aid To Free Kidnaped Officials in Bolivia
WASHINGTON —(UPI)— President Johnson has offered "full assistance" to the Bolivian government to obtain the release of four U.S. officials kidnapped by Communist-led Bolivian tin miners. But it was problematical what this country actually could do.
White House Press Secretary Pierre Salinger said late yesterday that Johnson's offer to Bolivian President Victor Paz Estenssoro extended to "whatever we're requested by the government of Bolivia to do."
"In line with his determination to protect U.S. citizens everywhere," the White House said, "President Johnson has offered full assistance to President Paz in his action on behalf of United States and other foreign citizens." The statement was broad enough to include diplomatic efforts.
THE AMERICANS were seized as they delivered Alliance for Progress funds to officials of the town of Cantavi for construction of two model schools. Cantavi is located about 150 miles south of La Paz, Bolivia's capital.
The State Department identified the hostages as U.S. Information Service Officers Thomas M. Martin of the Bronx, N.Y., and Michael A. Kristula of Cadillac, Mich.; Bernard
Rifkin of New York City, a labor adviser for the Agency for International Development (AID), and Robert Fergerstrom, a Peace Corps volunteer for Honolulu.
The Americans, together with a number of Bolivian mining technicians, a German engineer and a Dutch engineer, were seized apparently as hostages to obtain the release of two Communist leaders of Bolivia's powerful national mineworkers confederation.
DIPLOMATIC SOURCES said that so far no specific request for assistance has come from the Bolivian government. Salinger was asked at yesterday's news conference whether American helicopters might be provided for a rescue mission. He would not discuss details.
Other officials would not say what the United States was prepared to do if asked. But a rescue mission involving U.S. personnel appeared unlikely. Ordinarily, Latin American governments do not bring in U.S. forces for internal police actions.
One problem being considered was whether a gesture of U.S. help in a specific rescue mission might jeopardize the lives of the Americans held captive.
THE WHITE HOUSE said President Johnson has been assured by
President Paz, through U.S. Ambassador Douglas Henderson, that "every effort" was being made by the Bolivian government "to secure prompt release" of the Americans.
U. S. officials also have received assurances for the safety of the Americans from the mining company and from a union leader, who was not identified, according to the White House.
The White House statement said the mission undertaken by the captive Americans was "the kind of humanitarian mission U.S. citizens are engaged in around the globe."
THE STATEMENT called the seizure of the Americans "indefensible." Immediately on his return from New York City yesterday, the President conferred with Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Edwin Martin, assistant secretary of state for Latin American Affairs, and McGeorge Bundy, White House National Security Aide, on the Bolivian kidnapping.
Rusk was waiting at the White House when Johnson returned from the funeral of former New York Gov. Herbert H. Lehman. Shortly after the meeting, the statement was issued by the White House News Office.
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Students, Military Personnel Fill Holiday Travel Space
By A. C. MILLER United Press International
KANSAS CITY, Mo-The annual Christmas holiday trek to home by students and servicemen has created a trail of dust to ticket offices in this key transportation terminal.
The dust from the onrush continued to rise today, but tickets were becoming scarce.
Railroad, airline and bus companies reported most tickets already sold for the weekend preceding Christmas. Extra cars will be added to trains and new flights were ordered by airlines.
MOST COLLEGES in the area will release their students Dec. 20 for Christmas vacation. Many military leaves begin the same day.
J. L. Wilks, a reservation clerk at the Union Railway Station, said Santa Fe and Union Pacific trains running to Los Angeles and San Francisco will carry extra cars during the rush period.
"From Dec. 17 to Jan. 3," Wilks said, "wer'e booked solid for every reserved seat and compartment on all our trains. Those coming up late to get tickets may be disappointed."
The outlook for getting airline passage was equally dismal.
"SOME EARLY morning flights are still available on the major airlines here," a ticket agent said. "But they're closing out fast."
Continental Airlines reported today that its flights from Kansas City to Denver Dec. 20-21 were full. Its flights to Los Angeles during the same period were nearly full with only a few first class accommodations available.
A Trans World Airlines agent said that student traffic seemed heavier this year than the holiday rush in the past. Most TWA flights to Miami, New York, Chicago and some West Coast points were full.
Extra flights were scheduled for Dec. 20, 21 and 22 by Braniff International Airways to meet the service demand.
THE TICKET AGENT added that many servicemen were paying fullfare to get reservations.
Military men may purchase tickets for half-fare when no reservations are made. This is because servicemen are on a standby alert and usually do not make reservations since their leaves might be canceled.
Agents for the major bus lines here, reported similar, conditions.
A spokesman for Continental Trailways said al eastbound buses were filled between Dec. 19-23. Some
seats remained on buses going west, he said.
Several college groups, apparently fearful of not finding transportation, chartered buses and planes.
GREYHOUND BUS LINES does not sell advanced tickets. But a company representative said Greyhound was anticipating heavy traffic and would add extra runs to its regular schedule.
TWA said a group of students from the eastern section of the country who attend Park College in Parkville, Mo., chartered a flight to New York.
At KU a Student Activities organization chartered a bus to New York and the East Coast. Several car pools also were organized.
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