We have given Helmut Schmidt [2]
enough time to make his choice between the American strategy of
annihilation of liberation movements in West Europe and the Third World
and the federal government’s desire to save the most important existing
industrial magnate of the imperialist strategy.
The ultimatum of the Operation Kofr Kaddum [3] of the Commando "Martyr Halimeh" and the ultimatum
of
the Commando “Siegfried Hausner” [4] of the RAF are identical.
The ultimatum expires on October 16, 1977 at 8:00 GMT.
If, at that time, the prisoners demanded have not arrived at their
destination, Hans-Martin Schleyer will be executed. [5]
After holding Schleyer for forty days, there won't be an
extention of the ultimatum or any further contact.
Any delay will mean Schleyer's death.
To save time, it won’t be necessary for Pastor Niemoller and the lawyer
Payot to accompany the prisoners.
We will receive confirmation of the prisoners’ arrival even without
confirmation from escorts.
Hans-Martin Schleyer will be freed 48 hours after we receive
confirmation.
FREEDOM THROUGH ANTI-IMPERIALIST ARMED STRUGGLE!
Commando Siegfrief Hausner
Red Army Faction - October 13th, 1977
Footnotes
N.B. All footnotes in this document were
added by the translator and editor. None are originally from the RAF.
[1] Hans-Martin Schleyer - Germany's top
industrialist. Head of German Industry Association and Board member
of Daimler-Benz, and a former SS Officer. He had been kidnapped by the
RAF
on September 5th 1977. [return to text]
[2] Helmut Schmidt - head of the Social
Democratic Party (SPD) and Chancellor. [return to text]
[3] Operation Kofr Kaddum of the Commando Martyr
Halimeh – on October 13, 1977, a Palestinian Commando hijacked a
Lufthansa airliner to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of the RAF Commando
Siegfried Hausner's demand for the release of imprisoned RAF members.
On
18-10-77, a German anti-terrorist team stormed the plane killing all
but
one member of the Commando,, the sole survivor being severely injured..
[return to text]
[4] Siegfried Hausner - RAF member, participated in
Commando Holger Meins attack on West German Embassy in Stockholm in
April 1975. They were demanding the release of 26 West German political
prisoners. Police stormed the building, setting off explosives laid by
the Commando. Siegfried Hausner died as a result. [return
to text]
[5] The prisoners demanded were Andreas Baader,
Gudrun Ensslin, Jan Carl Raspe, Verena Becker, Werner Hoppe, Karl-Heinz
Dellwo, Hanna Krabbe, Bernd Roessner, Ingrid Schubert, Irmgard
Möller and Günter Sonnenberg of the RAF, as well as two
members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine imprisoned
in Istanbul, Turkey, Mahdi and Hussein.
[return to text]
