As I said here when such a deal was just a rumor, “this will only encourage more hostage-taking, as jihadis will see the chance to free their imprisoned comrades in exchange for Western hostages.”
But the fact that a policy is foolish, wrongheaded and counterproductive has never stopped non-Muslim governments from pursuing it in the past.
“Mali freed four militants in exchange for French hostage: Minister,” PTI, December 13, 2014 (thanks to Lookmann):
Dakar: Mali freed four Islamist militants with ties to al Qaeda in north Africa in exchange for the release of Serge Lazarevic, a French national who was being held by the group, Mali`s justice minister said on Friday.
“Mali cannot deny that it freed them because it is a fact. Everyone knows, it serves no purpose to hide it, but Mali did it under a precise framework,” Mohamed Ali Bathily, told French television channel France24.
The minister did not say what, if anything, Mali itself had gained from the deal that led to the release of Lazarevic, 51, on Tuesday.
“While we could do something to save Lazarevic, Mali had to play its own role,” Bathily said in the interview.
He said the west African nation had done the same kind of deal to free about 30 of its nationals who were captured in the northern city of Kidal, a stronghold of Tuareg separatists….
Ayatrollah says
Everyone knows it is a mistake to do hostage trades, but everyone wants their loved one back.
I wonder if they can somehow secretly tag these guys and find them later. Or really play hard ball and tell them secretly we are going after there families. Or not even secretly. We could say we fear for their safety and keep them save for their own good.
Also, check their family and friends immigration paperwork for “errors”. I know this is illegal but in war we have to do extreme things. (First you have to understand we are at war with someone)
Angemon says
Ayatrollah posted:
“(First you have to understand we are at war with someone)”
I think a more accurate description would be that others are waging war on us, thus we have no choice but to defend ourselves.
Salah says
The best solution to the kidnapping problem is: Preemptive Strike. Find those who do the kidnapping BEFORE they do it and KILL THEM.
Kidnappers as well as pirates must be chased down and exterminated before they “spread evil in the land”!!!