The third in a five-part series on Michael Wells, a Mississippi man being held hostage in Lebanon (click for link)
by Walker Harris
A member of the press, I was the enemy.
Ellen van Oss has been assigned to the Wells case since those first harrowing days of captivity. She declines to provide additional details about her involvement in the Wells hostage situation, but the details speak for themselves.
By policy, the US government does not pay ransom demands. Although the theory behind this decision is solid - any payment to kidnappers could increase the 'demand' for kidnapping victims - the simple fact is that paying ransom works. A number of pragmatic European countries disavow payments, but 'miraculously' have consistently negotiated for the release of their prisoners.
Clearly, some countries work behind the scenes to provide indirect, in-kind, or incentive payments to secure the release of their prisoners.
And just as clearly, the US government has no interest in doing so. Ms. van Oss has, over the course of the 152 days of Michael Wells' captivity, failed to prioritize the release of the prisoner. In fact, research done by this newspaper determined when there were breakthroughs in hostage negotiations in the past two years.
President loses face in G7 summit, Dec.2; Strike of 'terrorist camp' in Syria, Dec 4.
Presidential approval rating below 50%, Jan 14; Strike of 'terrorist camp' in Lebanon, Jan 16.
President's proposed legislation defeated, Jan 31; Strike of 'terrorist camp' in Oman, Feb 2.
The list continues. Every time the president needs to look strong and in command, within two days there is a military offensive against a terrorist organization. No such correlation exists between terrorist kidnapping of Americans and offensives.
Ms. van Oss will not comment on the administration's position on the use of military force to bolster polls. She also does not comment on whether the back door negotiations - for which she denies the existence - whether they have ever resulted in the release of a single captive.
She refuses to discuss timelines for release. She refuses to say whether there is any rescue operation planned. Her only concession to comment related to how unhelpful the press is.
Meanwhile, Michael Wells' family remains in the dark.
It has been 152 days.
by Walker Harris
“Unnatural death always provoked a peculiar unease, an uncomfortable realization that there were still some things that might not be susceptible to bureaucratic control.”"The government is using every ethical resource at its disposal." The tall woman portrayed no empathy at all. Ellen van Oss was was always in control. Her words, her manner, her clothing, her hair. all carefully selected to give the image of control. Long blonde hair tightly pulled back into a controlled bun, pulling slightly at her temples, as if indirectly controling for wrinkles. Ms. von Oss's unlined face betrayed no emotion, and her eyes were guarded as she spoke to me.
― P.D. James, The Lighthouse
A member of the press, I was the enemy.
Ellen van Oss has been assigned to the Wells case since those first harrowing days of captivity. She declines to provide additional details about her involvement in the Wells hostage situation, but the details speak for themselves.
By policy, the US government does not pay ransom demands. Although the theory behind this decision is solid - any payment to kidnappers could increase the 'demand' for kidnapping victims - the simple fact is that paying ransom works. A number of pragmatic European countries disavow payments, but 'miraculously' have consistently negotiated for the release of their prisoners.
Clearly, some countries work behind the scenes to provide indirect, in-kind, or incentive payments to secure the release of their prisoners.
And just as clearly, the US government has no interest in doing so. Ms. van Oss has, over the course of the 152 days of Michael Wells' captivity, failed to prioritize the release of the prisoner. In fact, research done by this newspaper determined when there were breakthroughs in hostage negotiations in the past two years.
President loses face in G7 summit, Dec.2; Strike of 'terrorist camp' in Syria, Dec 4.
Presidential approval rating below 50%, Jan 14; Strike of 'terrorist camp' in Lebanon, Jan 16.
President's proposed legislation defeated, Jan 31; Strike of 'terrorist camp' in Oman, Feb 2.
The list continues. Every time the president needs to look strong and in command, within two days there is a military offensive against a terrorist organization. No such correlation exists between terrorist kidnapping of Americans and offensives.
Ms. van Oss will not comment on the administration's position on the use of military force to bolster polls. She also does not comment on whether the back door negotiations - for which she denies the existence - whether they have ever resulted in the release of a single captive.
She refuses to discuss timelines for release. She refuses to say whether there is any rescue operation planned. Her only concession to comment related to how unhelpful the press is.
Meanwhile, Michael Wells' family remains in the dark.
It has been 152 days.
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