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Special Report
Hostages and Diplomats
A U.S. Ambassador criticizes the practice of paying ransoms — but why embarrass the French in Mali?
(Page 2 of 2)
In any case it appears unlikely, as well as anyone can gauge public opinion in this territory, that the Tuareg civic and religious leaders in the north who have some degree of democratic legitimacy would accept a regime dominated by the MNLA leadership. The non-Tuareg communities of the region certainly would not.
Against this background, it may be that Ambassador Huddleston was asked — by whom? — to undercut French efforts by bringing up the issue of ransom money. But is it in the U.S. interest to subvert France’s Sahel policy? What is the alternative? Only a week or so ago Mrs. Huddleston was writing in the papers that there was no alternative to helping Mali defend itself against the Islamist hordes and a damn good thing someone was doing it. Then why cast doubts on our gallant allies’ motives now, in their moment of need? Actually, the State Department sent a bill to the French for the cost of our shuttling some of their troops and supplies in on military transport planes. The French reportedly were not amused, and maybe this is a way of reminding them they should be more responsible in the way they spend money.
It is also possible the ambassador spoke entirely of her own volition. But then what is her narrow interest in this affair? If the French paid ransom money to such men as Moktar Belmoktar, the leader of the aptly named “blood brigade” that attacked the vast Algerian natural gas complex at In Amenas last month, resulting in the death of dozens of hostages, surely she knew about it. It is not public knowledge exactly when this money was paid to criminal gangs, with kickbacks to Islamist emirs and high Malian officials, by the French and other EU countries whose nationals had been grabbed, but the ambient corruption in Mali is not news. It was in full swing on her watch, in the mid-’00s, and she had nothing to say about it then. Why not? Is she trying to deflect the obvious criticism of our policy in the Sahel, a policy in the making of which she had an important role? Such criticism, which is direly needed as the administration rearranges its top national security team, can be constructive. We might as well review what we did or did not do, what we knew and chose to ignore, because these kinds of questions go to the heart of the frustrations and difficulties characteristic of the “savage wars of peace” that are a cruel but inexorable part of the world we live in.
About the Author
Roger Kaplan, a Washington-based writer, covers the Middle East and Africa (and tennis) for The American Spectator.
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Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.11.13 @ 9:06AM
"As every schoolboy knows, President Jefferson sent the Navy to the shores of North Africa 19th century because, by Jove, 'millions for defense and not one cent for tribute!'”
Of course, the descendants of Robert Goodloe Harper might dispute what every schoolboy knows (was this only taught when the schoolgirls were at that female only seminar?), which is usually more accurately credited as his quote, two and a half years before Jefferson became President.
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JimH| 2.11.13 @ 9:11AM
In 75 BC Caesar was captured by pirates and was eventually ransomed. It seems that they did not know who they had caught. During his time with them he told them that he would come back and have them killed. They did not take him seriously. Upon his release he raised a force and went back and captured them. He turned them over to the local authorities who were reluctant to act against them. Seeing this Caesar took them and had them crucified. The point being, pay the ransom if need be to free the hostages, but then you make sure that the hostage takers are captured and executed. If the risk exceeds the rewards kidnapping will no longer be a viable trade.
MelvinNC| 2.11.13 @ 9:22AM
Entering into a force of arms by Nations is only used as a very last resort when all lesser means of negotiations have failed, and their isn't a foreseeable peaceful way out.
A talented diplomat is allot like a very, very, very, good poker player. But for some reason the United States has moved away form creating good diplomats by rewarding cronies into diplomatic positions.
Creating good diplomats and good diplomacy is not something one can pull up to a drive up window and order.
Creating a gifted diplomat takes years and years to develop to be effective. Unfortunately in the now, a force of arms is bandied about like salt from a salt shaker. We're spreading a force of arms all over but the taste of it is still bland therefore noneffective.
This no-effectiveness can be summed by using WW2 as an example. It is like us chasing the Nazis off Normandy but pursuing them no further. The Allies might have chased the Nazis off Normandy but the Nazis still retain the ability to wage an armed conflict.
If the West wants to defeat terrorism, it must defeat it at it's source. Other than that we are just wasting manpower and material.
cicero| 2.11.13 @ 11:24AM
What about the "war on radical islamists" don't our fearless leaders get? Every time we have one of these attacks on established order, you can bet that the perpetrators belong to some islamist sect or group. Just this morning, in the news, we find that three Korean doctors who were working to innoculate Nigerian children against polio, were killed, and at least one was beheaded. Yep - you got it right. The maniacs who did this deed were islamists.
Now, we have the French joining in the war on our side. And we charge them to ferry their troops to the battle field. Maybe our leaders don't want to win this one. Could it be that Washington is sympathetic to the cause of Islam? The fact that our State Dept. is acting against the best interests of America is nothing new. This has been going on sine at least the end of WWII. The great thing about a democracy is that you get what you ask for. The Athenians and the Romans found out the hard way. So shall we.
loulou| 2.11.13 @ 11:48AM
Washington is indeed sympathetic to the cause of Islam. Obama and his soon to be CIA director Brennan are said to be Muslims.
Anthony| 2.11.13 @ 12:16PM
The official Obozo policy on ransoms is there is no need to pay them when all embassy staff are deemed expendable.
Pecos Pete| 2.11.13 @ 1:22PM
Ant: as are all citizens in the USA.