A news report I'd like to read:
The US State Department announces that international travelers are now required to sign a "No Negotiations, No Ransom, No Exchange" document when presenting their passport to leave the US.
The "No Ransom-No Exchange" document supports travelers accepting responsibility for their own safety when traveling in foreign countries. A traveler is agreeing that in the event they are captured in another country they know that the US will not negotiate a ransom or prisoner exchange for their return. Citizens (their employers and parents) would know that they can only expect the US to inquire about someone but that they cannot expect the US to negotiate with terrorists for a captured friend, child, proselytizer,* or employee. It further acknowledges that it would not be fair to require the US taxpayer, your neighbor, to expend moneys/assets etc. for a risk you knowingly took.
A State Department representative is quoted as saying that the document communicates to terrorists that a captured US citizen him/herself, and all US citizens, have already agreed to support the US policy of no negotiations for ransoms or exchanges. Hopefully other countries will follow suit.
Note: As of 1/30/15 Japan is still considering paying the ransom for the one Japenese citizen who has not been killed. Another negotiation being considered is the exchange of a valuable terrorist for the remaining captive Japanese citizen. When a business/country pays a ransom it guarantees more kidnappings to pay for the terrorist's activities.
Update 2/3/15: Japan refused to barter for the the one remaining Japanese citizen and so ISIS killed him. Kidnapping would no longer be a source of income if ISIS knew with certainty that no country would negotiate for any outcome.
* "proselytizer" Missionaries
Last edited 4/23/23
