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Terror Networks
US gets gypped on Abu Sayyaf ransom deal
2002-04-11
  • The U.S. government facilitated a payment of $300,000 through a third party in a bid to gain the release of two Americans held by the Philippine terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. The transaction was completed before Easter, two senior administration officials said this week, but Abu Sayyaf as of yesterday had not shown signs of releasing Martin and Gracia Burnham, two American missionaires who were kidnapped 10 months ago.
    First they said they were gonna do it, then they did it, and now they're standing around scratching their heads, saying, "Duh, Maynard! I think we been gypped!" And they never expected anything of the sort, plus if anybody dug - which they won't - they'd discover a "commission" stuck to multiple "third parties'" fingers.
    The officials said the Pentagon opposed the secret, indirect payment, while the State Department supported it as a way to save the couple's lives and perhaps expose senior Abu Sayyaf members for capture. There was hope the couple would be released Easter weekend, but they never appeared. U.S. officials say the terrorist group's signature operation is to accept the ransom money, then release the hostages weeks later at a different location. Some analysts believe some of Abu Sayyaf's ransom proceeds are funneled to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network, which the United States says operates in 60 countries.
    Can we fire the entire State Department and replace it with something more in touch with reality, like the INS?
    Link is courtesy of Tom Roberts. Thanks, Tom!
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

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