State Department Noon Briefing, September 21, 2000
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
Thursday, September 21, 2000
Briefer: Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Q: Do you have any update on the American hostage in the Philippines?
Apparently, he has contacted a radio station and it is not clear
whether what he has said was made under duress. What is your
interpretation of that?
MR. BOUCHER: We can't verify at this point that the voice on the tape
is actually Mr. Schilling's. We certainly regard all statements made
by hostages while they are in captivity to have been made under
duress.
Q: And on the larger question, do you have anything to say about this
ransom that the Libyans paid? I mean, these hostage-takers are now
multi-millionaires because of Libya.
MR. BOUCHER: I don't have a specific confirmation of an individual
transaction, but I think we have made quite clear our view that ransom
should not be paid, and that it is counter-productive to pay ransom.
In fact, when the Secretary met with the Philippine Foreign Minister
last week and in his discussions with others when we met with the
Asians last week, this issue was discussed. And several people
observed that the ransom money was just going to fuel other
kidnappings and other - and to buy guns. And that is a concern that we
have had and that others have shared as well.
(The briefing was concluded at 1:52 P.M.)
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