Posted on 06/24/2015 1:47:53 PM PDT by Mr. K
This post was updated at 1:25 p.m. ET to include comment from the White House press secretary.
The Obama administration is preparing to announce changes in the way it deals with families whose loved ones have been taken hostage by terrorist groups such as the self-declared Islamic State militant group. Families were invited to a private meeting with administration officials Tuesday in advance of a public announcement at the White House on Wednesday.
Families have complained in the past that they felt neglected and received mixed messages from the government. While the White House is not expected to shift its long-standing opposition to paying ransom for hostages, it is expected to give families a tacit OK if they choose to negotiate on their own.
"The sense ... was that the administration could be more effective in delivering clear information, in some cases instructions, to the families of those who were going through this terrible ordeal," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. "So the sense was, this was a process that could be improved."
Earnest noted that details of the revised policy would be released Wednesday.
Congressman John Delaney, D-Md., whose constituent Warren Weinstein was held captive for more than 3 1/2 years before being accidentally killed by a U.S. drone strike earlier this year, pointed out: "What they have said is they're looking at the policy with respect to families. Right now, under U.S. law, families are ... prohibited from having any discussions with captors as it relates to their loved ones. And what the White House has said is they will look at that to see if some flexibility might make sense."
The federal government itself would maintain its policy of not negotiating with hostage-takers.
"The president continues to believe, as previous presidents have concluded, that it's not in the best interest of American citizens to pay ransoms to any organization, let alone a terrorist organization," Earnest said in November. "Knowing that terrorist organizations can extract a ransom from the United States if they take a hostage, only puts American citizens at greater risk."
Earnest reiterated that stance Tuesday, arguing the president continues to oppose ransoms for hostages, because the concessions to terrorists not only help fund their operations, but also make Americans more of a target than they already are.
"The president does continue to believe it's important for the United States of America to adhere closely to a no-concessions policy." And "that is a policy that was not under review in this process."
The administration launched a review of the policy last fall after several high-profile executions of U.S. hostages, beginning with journalist James Foley.
Foley's mother had a hard time getting information from the government while her son was in captivity.
"We had to beg," Diane Foley told ABC News in September. "They really didn't have time for us."
As a result of the review, the administration is expected to set up a central clearinghouse, or "fusion cell," within the FBI to coordinate all government efforts with regard to hostages and their families.
Congressman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., argues the FBI is the wrong agency to lead that effort.
"The FBI is not organized or developed for hostage recovery in hostile areas, yet they are leading the fusion cell," Hunter said in a written statement. "Wholesale changes are needed, but what's being put forward is nothing more than window dressing."
Hunter and Delaney have both called for a single coordinator of U.S. hostage policy
IS HE INSANE? IT'S GOING TO BE OPEN SEASON ON U.S. CITIZENS!
OMFG.
Let’s have crowd-sourcing to release your neighbor from down the block.
It’s U.S. Government policy!
Well.....yeah.
The leftist freaks’ defense of their god-king in this case seems to be, “Why would you want the federal government getting in your way {by not letting you pay ransom} in your effort to retrieve your loved ones?”
Obama’s terrorist buddies need the cash. U.S. Businesses need to get out of the Middle East ASAP, because their executives will be targets for Islamist kidnapping.
Brick by brick America is being dismantled. And the Republicans simply stand by... watching.
How else is Obama going to help fund Muslims and encourage hostage taking for profit?
***** “IS HE INSANE?” *****
Nope, just an efficient muslim usurper.
TT
Before long we'll realize that poor people are unable to pay ransoms therefore our socialist government should step in a pick up the tab. Eventually we will have a price list for the ransom of hostages:
$$$$$ for government employees
$$$$ for students
$$$ for regular tourists
The hospital in Hawaii he was born in should be a shrine.
The Republicans are not watching.
They are now actively participating.
The punishment of Conservatives who vote against the Party line now taking place under Boehner is not even seen under the Democrat side.
The badly educated/ill-informed/lazy voted this anti-American in twice....how utterly foolish they are and how uncaring for their Country...this is their man
....he doesn't care about U.S. Citizens...he hates all America.
Just wait until they see the tidal wave of protest in November 2016. I have never actively sat out an election. I will do so in protest in 2016, but will make a singular exception for Cruz.
I don’t care who wins or who loses. I don’t care if “this is the most important election in my lifetime...” McConnell and Boehner need to go!
Amen, brother.
If JEb is the GOP nominee running against Hillary, I am not voting for JEb.
The GOP will scream “Then Hillary will win!”
And I’ll say “What the hell is the difference?”
Whats the new rule we can now trade up to 10 known terrorists for deserters?
That sounds like a lot of Bergdahl to me. A pant load of 0bama.
Bump and Ditto
exactly- while it’s terrible that individual people get kidnapped, and we certainly feel for the parents and family- paying for their release makes MORE families susceptible and will cause MORE grief and terror- that is why we did NOT allow it- because there is a ‘greater good’ involved here- not just ‘individual good’
[[And Ill say What the hell is the difference?]]
Yeah- obaummer was sooo much better than Romney-
Make sure before you go to Mexico that your family isn’t wealthy. 0dungo is offering up Americans as hostages in ANY foreign country.
this lazy piece of sheet now endangers EVERY AMERICAN OVERSEAS....
way to go you dumb morter forker.....
another obama turd...... his legacy stenches just like him...
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