The Chandlers were not in Somalia...they were sailing....which is sort of my point. This girl was in a known dangerous area of her own free will.
I also agree with you NonMerci up to a degree but some governments use these situations as a political tool.
Re: Mengitsu - Ethiopia famine 80s - engineered to wipe out opponents. If the famous BBC report hadn't been made ....... it would have been even worse.
Then again Non Merci aid can create a culture of dependence....the road to hell is paved with good intentions?
brit, exactly! And who can change that? Only the people .
IF and when outside help is readily available, there is no need to make a concerted effort...or the need is not big enough to actually make that effort.
I feel as sorry as the next person for those suffering, but sometimes I ask myself if we are not prolonging that suffering with the help we are giving.
Would agree to a point. In many countries the people have no one to turn to. The problem is that many governments absolve themselve of the responsibility of their people by putting the onus on NGOs, volunteers, charities etc.
now, medicines sans frontiers. Certainly commendable. Still, I think the more help people get, the less they help themselves. Saying that sounds harsh, no doubt, but isn't there truth in it ?
brit, yes...and no. Sure, they may help a few people. But here are my thoughts for this particular situation.If there are more people wanting help, there will be less people doing bad deeds that keep the help away. Those people wanting help have to understand who and what it is keeping the help away...maybe then less people will encourage and protect those doing bad deeds.
It is sad but there are the Chandlers - a retired Brit couple who have been held hostage in Somalia for almost a year. They were kidnapped whilst sailing thru the Gulf of Aden. As far as I know nothing has been done to help them.
So when does the government intercede and when doesn't it?
Lost Marble please also post any thing related to Britain and Brits in The British Group in Qatar so we can get the people who are members to participate. Cheers mate.
Agreed. We don't know the full story, but the sad result is that this poor lady who went there to help the people has lost her life. May she rest in peace.
I don't normally support UK politicians particularly Tories but in this case I kind of feel sorry for Cameron.
Kidnapping of people is a really hard thing. You either negotiate and give the kidnappers something they want or you refuse to have anything to do with their claims and try to rescue the people.
The first option is likely to encourage repeat events apart from in extremely limited and rare circumstances where the person isn't in real danger.
The second option discourages repeat attempts but puts the person potentially at an increased risk.
I generally lean towards the second option but it is something you have to decide on a case by case basis and I'm glad I'm not the decision maker.
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The Chandlers were not in Somalia...they were sailing....which is sort of my point. This girl was in a known dangerous area of her own free will.
I also agree with you NonMerci up to a degree but some governments use these situations as a political tool.
Re: Mengitsu - Ethiopia famine 80s - engineered to wipe out opponents. If the famous BBC report hadn't been made ....... it would have been even worse.
Then again Non Merci aid can create a culture of dependence....the road to hell is paved with good intentions?
brit, exactly! And who can change that? Only the people .
IF and when outside help is readily available, there is no need to make a concerted effort...or the need is not big enough to actually make that effort.
I feel as sorry as the next person for those suffering, but sometimes I ask myself if we are not prolonging that suffering with the help we are giving.
Would agree to a point. In many countries the people have no one to turn to. The problem is that many governments absolve themselve of the responsibility of their people by putting the onus on NGOs, volunteers, charities etc.
now, medicines sans frontiers. Certainly commendable. Still, I think the more help people get, the less they help themselves. Saying that sounds harsh, no doubt, but isn't there truth in it ?
brit, yes...and no. Sure, they may help a few people. But here are my thoughts for this particular situation.If there are more people wanting help, there will be less people doing bad deeds that keep the help away. Those people wanting help have to understand who and what it is keeping the help away...maybe then less people will encourage and protect those doing bad deeds.
Because they believe that they are doing good. They help make the world a better place. Look at the work carried out by medicins sans frontiers.
They should be commended for their efforts.
Why in God's name do people go to place where they KNOW such things are VERY likely to happen ?
I am glad you mentioned The Chandlers because the last video i remember seeing of them was about two months ago.
It's all about politics. Sadly, our government is now guided by "spin doctors" who decide which case is worth following and which not.
It is sad but there are the Chandlers - a retired Brit couple who have been held hostage in Somalia for almost a year. They were kidnapped whilst sailing thru the Gulf of Aden. As far as I know nothing has been done to help them.
So when does the government intercede and when doesn't it?
Lost Marble please also post any thing related to Britain and Brits in The British Group in Qatar so we can get the people who are members to participate. Cheers mate.
why didnt they wait for more negotiations. Tories wanted to show their gung-ho image?
Agreed. We don't know the full story, but the sad result is that this poor lady who went there to help the people has lost her life. May she rest in peace.
I don't normally support UK politicians particularly Tories but in this case I kind of feel sorry for Cameron.
Kidnapping of people is a really hard thing. You either negotiate and give the kidnappers something they want or you refuse to have anything to do with their claims and try to rescue the people.
The first option is likely to encourage repeat events apart from in extremely limited and rare circumstances where the person isn't in real danger.
The second option discourages repeat attempts but puts the person potentially at an increased risk.
I generally lean towards the second option but it is something you have to decide on a case by case basis and I'm glad I'm not the decision maker.
The ones I REALLY feel sorry for are her family.
Andy