Caving in to kidnappers.Byline: The Register-Guard The Philippines contributed a token force of soldiers to the coalition forces in Iraq, and planned to withdraw even that small contingent by Aug. 20. On its way out the door, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo did her coalition partners, and her own country, a dangerous disservice dis·ser·vice n. A harmful action; an injury. disservice Noun a harmful action Noun 1. by agreeing to accelerate the withdrawal in return for the release of a Filipino kidnapped Kidnapped caught in the intrigues of Scottish factions, David Balfour and Alan Breck are shipwrecked, escape from the king’s soldiers, and undergo great dangers. [Br. Lit.: R. L. Stevenson Kidnapped] See : Adventurousness by Iraqi militants. The hostage, a 46-year-old truck driver named Angelo dela Cruz, had been threatened with execution unless Arroyo approved an early pullout pull·out n. 1. A withdrawal, especially of troops. 2. Change from a dive to level flight. Used of an aircraft. 3. An object designed to be pulled out. Noun 1. . Now she has done so, and the kidnappers, the Iraqi Islamic Army-Khaled bin Al-Waleed Corps, say dela Cruz will be released if the last Filipino soldier departs by the end of the month. If dela Cruz is in fact freed as promised, it won't bring a happy ending to this story. Rewarding kidnappers, even in a symbolic way, ensures that more kidnappings will occur. Other members of the coalition in Iraq can expect to be blackmailed in a similar fashion - though next time, the kidnappers may demand a higher price. Kidnapping kidnapping, in law, the taking away of a person by force, threat, or deceit, with intent to cause him to be detained against his will. Kidnapping may be done for ransom or for political or other purposes. has become a tactic of some insurgents Insurgents, in U.S. history, the Republican Senators and Representatives who in 1909–10 rose against the Republican standpatters controlling Congress, to oppose the Payne-Aldrich tariff and the dictatorial power of House speaker Joseph G. Cannon. in Iraq, and proof that the tactic can be successful is one way to ensure that it will be used again. Arroyo, for her part, won't leave kidnapping behind when the last Filipino troops leave Iraq. It will follow them home to the Philippines, where Islamic and nationalist militants are already active. Having seen that Arroyo will make concessions to secure a hostage's freedom, they will stock up on human bargaining chips bar·gain·ing chip n. Something, especially an inducement or concession, used as leverage in negotiations: "A bargaining chip is ultimately worthless if you're not willing to bargain it away" . If Arroyo refuses to negotiate, she'll be forced to explain why dela Cruz's life was valued more highly than the lives of other hostages. It's painful to see a countryman held prisoner with a knife at his throat. Giving in a falling inwards; a collapse. See also: Giving to the kidnappers' demands, however, is the worst possible response. Others will pay a high price for dela Cruz's freedom. |
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