U.S. Families Can Pay Ransom to Terrorists like ISIS, Obama Clarifies

  

 

President Obama on Wednesday announced a new executive order and presidential directive allowing U.S. government authorities to engage in hostage negotiations with terror groups.

He unveiled the gist of his plan, described as a multi-page study with two dozen new policies, during a White House press conference in which he made clear: families of hostages will take priority going forward.

"Many of the families told us they felt like an after-thought or a distraction," Obama said. "That ends today. These families are to be treated like what they are, our trusted partners and our active partners."

Among Obama's orders: The U.S. government may not pay ransoms to terror groups, but family members or third-party persons who want to will no longer be prosecuted. The White House will establish a new hostage response group dedicated to providing a collaborative and cooperative approach to dealing with groups that take Americans captive. And Obama will appoint a diplomat to serve as a point of contact and go-between for hostage-type crises.

'[We're] making it clear our top priority is the safe return of hostages," Obama said. "We are reaffirming the U.S. government will not make concessions, such as paying ransoms, to terror groups holding hostages … [which] risks endangering more Americans. At the same time, we are clarifying our policy does not prevent communication with our hostage takers."

The existing no-negotiation policy came under fire recently after mothers and family members of Americans captured and executed by ISIS terrorists said they wanted to discuss terms of release, but were ordered not to – and in fact, reportedly threatened – by members of the Obama administration.

Under Obama's policy shift, American authorities will now be free to discuss the release of captured U.S. citizens, and aid family members who choose to meet the ransom demands.

Critics say the new policy will only embolden terrorists.

Obama, meanwhile, wrapped his remarks with a bold warning to would-be kidnappers: "Our reach is long. Justice will be done."

 

 

 

Source: wnd.com