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September 17, 2014

Hagel on Treatment of Hostages' Families: "We Could Do a Little Better" 
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Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has acknowledged the United States could
improve its treatment of family members whose loved ones are held
hostage by the Islamic State. His remarks come after the mother of James
Foley, who was executed by ISIS, criticized the U.S. treatment of her
son's case, saying officials told her she could face prosecution if she
tried to raise ransom to free her son. Responding to New Hampshire
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Hagel defended the U.S. policy of not
paying ransoms to terrorists, but acknowledged room for improvement in
other areas.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel: "I think we could and should maybe
revisit some of these practices. Now, our national security policy
directive, as you know, is very clear on ransom. That's been in place
for many, many years, through different administrations. I'm not
suggesting we change that, by the way."

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: "I appreciate that."

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel: "But I think maybe there are some areas
that we could do a little better with, as far as in dealing with
families and the human part of this."

 

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