Algeria: August 23, 2003

Archives

  No one in Germany or Mali are admitting anything about ransom, but it appears that the Algerian Islamic radicals got $5-16 million and that the cash came from either Germany or Libya. The Germans have steadfastly refused to pay ransom for their kidnapped citizens, feeling that this would encourage more such crimes. But only nine of the 14 European hostages were German and there was pressure to make a deal and get the captives out of there. Apparently money was paid, and the Germans are trying to discourage any ideas that this is a new German government policy. To make this point, there is talk of issuing international arrest warrants for the Algerians who kidnapped the Europeans. This would be a major shift for Europe, which has long provided sanctuary and support for the Algerian rebels. But the rebels are on the run in Algeria, support for Islamic radicals is very much in decline and this kidnapping incident went over the line (at least according to European public opinion.)

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close