WASHINGTON (AP) – The accidental killing of two hostages in a U.S. operation against al-Qaida has put a new spotlight on the Obama administration’s reliance on drones in the battle against terrorism – and has also raised pressure on the White House to revise the nation’s oft-criticized strategy for dealing with abducted Americans and their families.
A day after President Barack Obama apologized and took responsibility for the deaths of American Warren Weinstein and Italian Giovanni Lo Porto in a January strike along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, officials said Friday that a nearly yearlong, interagency review of the hostage policy is to be completed this spring.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the Obama administration is considering whether to create a “fusion cell” comprised of the FBI, Pentagon, State Department and intelligence community to ensure they are closely coordinating on rescue efforts and communication with families. The administration is seeking reaction to the idea from relatives of hostages, after several have complained about the government’s response in the past.
“These families are in a terrible situation – unthinkable to imagine what it would be like to have a loved one, a family member, being held against their will by a terrorist organization,” Earnest said.
The review won’t affect the longstanding U.S. refusal to offer ransom or other concessions for the release of hostages. “Paying ransom or offering a concession to a terrorist organization may result in the saving of one innocent life, but could put countless other innocent lives at greater risk,” Earnest said.