Freeing hostages

[Joe Black]

"FRANCE, Italy and Germany sanctioned the payment of $45 million in deals to free nine hostages abducted in Iraq, according to documents seen by The Times.

All three governments have publicly denied paying ransom money. But according to the documents, held by security officials in Baghdad who have played a crucial role in hostage negotiations, sums from $2.5 million to $10 million per person have been paid over the past 21 months."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...191229,00.html

Some might say it's not suprising, but what should the UK be doing?

[threaded]

Some might say it's not suprising, but what should the UK be doing?

Well, kidnapping French, Italian and German nationals of course. Gordon Brown would be extremely pleased with the extra income to the exchequer.

HTH

[The Lone Gunman]

This causes a real problem.

Normally this would make nationals of those countries vulnerable.
The kidnappers dont have a capability of discerning Frogs, Krauts and Wops from anybody else.
So when they kidnap the wrong one they just top em and throw em away and go find another.

We need to present a united front to show that there is no profit in kidnapping westerners.

[Clog II The Avenger]

I was working at “Lloyds” insurance. They have fulltime staff travelling around the world doing payoffs for kidnapping and piracy. The most common scenario is that a container ship is boarded by pirates and the ship is then taken to an Asian or African port where the pirates would then come up with official documents claiming ownership of the ship and cargo. The crew would be released for a few thousand dollars and then the ship and cargo for a few whatever the going rate.

[Lucifer Box]

It's true. The port authorities in African and Asian countries often collaborate in these cargo seizure scams. They correctly reason that the cargo's insurers will happily pay a couple of thousand dollars to get the cargo and the vessel released and on its way. This is small beer compared to the fines and compensation payments that may be due if the cargo is unduly delayed, especially if it is perishable.

[Joe Black]

One option I forgot: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117438/