| This could open up into a big conversation.
The problem with Iraq is that there is a "cottage industry" of hostage taking that has been going on for many years. Any rich Iraqi has been in fear of this, and many families have been bankrupted by such actions already. What normally happens is that the hostage is taken and then sold on, - so once they are taken by the first hostage takers there is a "market value" for that person or people. Now is it then wrong to out bid say Al-Q? Clearly it would be very wrong to buy a hostage from Al-Q, - what guarantee is there that you would get your hostage back after paying, - but it is slightly different if you can buy to prevent then from reaching Al-Q.
The worrying thing with the poor British guy is that he is already in the hands of the worst person you could end up with, which is why most of the "informed" opinion is that he is already doomed. |