Secrecy key to how Ottawa handles hostage situation overseas: diplomat

OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has released few details about what the government is doing to deal with the hostage situation in the Philippines, but a former diplomat says secrecy is a key strategy when something like this happens.

Canadian John Ridsdel was beheaded on Monday while another Canadian, Robert Hall, is among the other hostages being held by an extremist group.

Ottawa has refused to comment on Canada’s efforts to free hostages, except to say it’s working with international allies, and to deny reports it was involved in negotiations with the group.

However, Gar Pardy, a former Canadian diplomat, says secrecy is important, because often when details of talks start to leak, the hostage takers tend to increase the pressure on governments by changing the terms. “Quite often you will see increases in the demands that are made for the release of people and that’s what you’re trying to control and condition as much as anything.”

Pardy adds hostage situations are like an iceberg, most of the work being done is below the surface.

Trudeau says Canada does not and will not pay ransom to terrorists, but that doesn’t mean the government isn’t working to secure Hall’s release.