CIA-RDP96-00789R003400740001-3

Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003400740001-3
1
/NOFORN
PROJECT SUN STREAK
WARNING NOTICE: INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND METHODS INVOLVED
PROJECT NUMBER:
8808
SESSION NUMBER:
26
DATE OF SESSION:
16 AUG 88
DATE OF REPORT:
16 AUG 88
START:
1000
END:
1130
METHODOLOGY :
WRV
VIEWER
IDENTIFIER:
079
1.
(S/NF/SK)
MISSION:
Determine if anyone
aside of the captors
Was aware of plans and intentions to abduct,
kidnap USMC LTC
William (Rich) Higgins on 17 February 1988.
(S/NF/SK)
VIEWER TASKING:
Viewer tasked with Essential
Elements of Information
(EEI) reflected in mission tasking, Para
1.
3.
(S/NF / SK )
COMMENTS:
No Inclemencies noted.
A Summary of
Information is attached.
4.
(S/NF/SK) :
EVALUATION:
HANDLE VIA SKEET CHANNELS ONLY
5/NOFORN
CLASSIFIED BY:
DIA (DT)
DECLASSIFY:
OADR
Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003400740001-3

Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003400740001-3
WORKING PAPER
26
8808
079
880812
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
The existence of a conspiracy to have USMC LTC Higgins
abducted was perceived as having been the work of three so-called
individuals politically affiliated with the moderate, neutral
(Christian?) faction of the Lebanese government at the time.
The plan for the abduction was conceived based on Higgins' often
expressed political views on Lebanon that were non-supportive of
the Lebanese government then in power and strongly advocating the
establishment of a heavily Syrian influenced form of government
for Lebanon.
Reportedly, Higgins expressed this opinion on at
meetings on several occasions while serving in his capacity as a
representative of the United Nations (UN) .
The fact that LTC
Higgins should not have been selected for assignment to Lebanon
as a member of the UN is now well-known; and, the result of
stupidity, carelessness, and circumvention of the system. An
individual by the name of Little or Littleton (phonetic) with UN
connections, was responsible for recommending and facilitating
Higgins' assignment to the UN.
There were US/Israeli (?) HUMINT
intelligence reports warning of the pending abduction of Higgins.
(No further details) .
The phonetic name of "Grabelli" surfaced
as one of three possible Lebanese nationals who conspired to
indirectly tip-off members of the Hezbollah group in Lebanon.
Money, possibly blackmail, and the establishment of
political
Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003400740001-3

Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003400740001-3
bargaining positions vis-a-vis the US motivated and precipitated
the tip-off to the Hezbollah group; above all, the primary
purpose of
effecting the abduction was to silence Higgins and his
Views
ou
a
needed Syrian-type
takeover of Lebanon.
The
Hezbollah (in Lebanon) were not that anxious to abduct Higgins
and did so quite reluctantly; as a group,
morale was at a low ebb
by the apparent transition in power taking place in Iran where
Khomeini
absence from the political
scene was noticeable.
(Names
of the suspects [conspirators] should be furnished this office if
further data is desired) .
The release of LTC Higgins will
take
place in a matter of days (recently reported as on or about 20
August 1988) .
LTC Higgins will not be debriefed until his return
to the US. UN procedures are to be followed and adhered to in
the case of LTC Higgins.
The "CI Team" will most likely be going overseas to debrief
the hostages; they will probably go to Lebanon and from there to
West Germany.
Many of the hostages will not remember all of
the
details surrounding their captivity; hopefully, they will be
allowed to channel and submit data beyond the limits of initial
debriefings as they recapture their ability to recall
is enhanced
by rest and recuperation.
There is an ongoing effort to "round up" (all
of
the
hostages and to transport them to Tehran, Iran "via chopper."
Every effort is being made to make them appear as physically fit
as possible in light of their impending release from captivity.
Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003400740001-3
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