28674: Corbett: One the rash of kinappings in Haiti

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

> From Bob Corbett

Folks, I read of these kidnappings with great dismay, and I am one whom 
they really frighten and it makes me most hesitant to go to Haiti.

It also raises a terrible difficulty to my mind.  What is one to do?
I note that quite a few folks have paid the ransom of late and are 
released without harm.  But this presents a hard problem for me, one for 
which I have no solution, but I would like to hear thoughts about it from 
others.

The dilemma:

-- if one pays the ransom it seems one is most likely to be let free 
without harm.  But, that seems to reward the kidnappers and to encourage 
others to immitate them and leads to a spiralling problem.

-- if one were to NOT pay, then, of course, one risks one's loved ones or 
associates, a terrifying thing to do.

I must admit, were one of my own loved ones kidnapped my tendency would be 
to try to raise the ransom and free them, despite knowing I would likely 
be contributing to the likelihood of even more kidnappings.  I don't LIKE 
that solution, but when one's loved ones are at risk -- well, sometimes 
the "best in the long run" argument is much less persuasive than the "save 
my loved ones" argument.

What are others of you thinking about this and what solutions would any 
propose?  To what extent are the police officials themselves involved in 
these kidnappings or in lax law enforecement concerning them?

I'd very much like to hear more about it this "institution" in Haitian 
society.

Bob Corbett