A journalists' group called on the United States Saturday to explore alternatives to military action in dealing with hostage-takings, after an American and a South African were killed in a failed rescue attempt in Yemen. Luke Somers, an American photojournalist, and Pierre Korkie, a teacher, were killed early Saturday in the unsuccessful rescue operation in Yemen's southeastern Shabwa province.
| Non-military options have worked so well in the other hostage situations. Just ask all the guys who were beheaded... |
Reporters Without Borders said tragic outcomes in hostage-takings by Islamic militants have become more and more frequent, underscoring the growing dangers facing journalists.
| Which means that you should roll over and let them take you hostage? And consign your fate to their hands without resistance or possible rescue? |
"We again urge the US government, which has announced its intention to review its policy on hostages, to explore all alternatives to the military option and to make every effort to guarantee the safety of the civilians involved," said Christophe Deloire, the secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders.
| That's just what we did. We did indeed make every effort to keep the hostages safe. It didn't work because there are no guarantees. Notice how Deloire works this he wants 'guarantees': those can never be given, so no action therefore should ever be taken... |
"This review must be conducted on the basis of consultation with former hostages, both US and foreign, with the families, if they so wish, and with the employers and NGOs concerned."
| No, we don't need to consult with former hostages, and we certainly don't need to consult with the employers and NGOs -- unless they have useful information. The decision is ours and not theirs. The demand for 'consultation' is a demand for a veto given their opinions as to the use of force. |
The charity group Gift of the Givers said it had been negotiating to secure Korkie's release and had expected him to go free as early as Saturday when the rescue operation intervened.
| You'd been negotiating how long? And you suddenly thought he'd be released? Where exactly did the turnip truck drop you? |
US President Barack Obama said he authorized the operation because of indications that Somers was in imminent danger.
In a video this week, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula threatened to execute Somers within 72 hours.
Somers, who was kidnapped in September 2013, was the third American journalist killed this year in hostage-takings by Islamic extremists. Two US journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff, American aid worker Peter Kassig and British aid workers Alan Henning and David Haines were all beheaded in Syria by the ISIS group.
| Without a rescue attempt, mind you... |
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