As we are all aware, a British couple that had been kidnapped and held hostage by pirates in Somalia were being flown to safety today. However, there has been debate as to whether the British government paid part of their £625,000 ransom. This was due to the report which claimed that a Somali official told of how part of the £5.8 million donated as aid by the UK to Somalia, was used to secure their release. Although, claims were that it was done secretly.
Now, I am not quite sure how accurate this story is but if there is truth in it, then it makes me wonder what happened to the policy of "not negotiating with kidnappers" and what will happen to subsequent people held hostage? Surely, this would be sending out the wrong message to everyone out there as very soon, others may reckon that they can try their hands out in this lucky jackpot system. I hope in actuality, this did not happen but needless to say that it is a very pleasant turn of events given that not every hostage lives to tell tales. On a finishing note, the Foreign Secretary has denied the allegations above and in the absence of any contradicting evidence, I will take his word for it.
For more information see link http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1329868/Paul-Rachel-Chandler-Was-Britains-5-8m-aid-grant-Somalia-ransom.html
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