Obama clears way for hostages’ families, like Kayla Mueller’s, to pay ransom

PHOENIX — President Barack Obama said Wednesday that the U.S.
government had let down the families of Americans held hostage by terrorists,
and he outlined new policies that could make it easier for those families to pay
ransom to help free their loved ones.

“These families have already suffered enough and they should never feel
ignored or victimized by their own government,” Obama said as he detailed the
results of a six-month review of U.S. hostage policy.

In the speech, Obama mentioned Kayla Mueller, a Prescott, Arizona native who died while being held prisoner by the Islamic State in Syria.

“Kayla devoted her life to serving those in need around the world — to refugees in Syria who had lost everything,” he said. “She was a source of comfort and hope.”

The review’s conclusions aim to streamline and improve communications with
families, who have sharply criticized the government for providing them with
confusing and contradictory information. Some families have complained about
threats of criminal prosecution if they seek to pay ransom to terrorists —
threats Obama said would end.

“The last thing we should ever do is add to a family’s pain with threats like
that,” Obama said.

The president’s pledge essentially clears the way for families to take actions
the U.S. government has long said put Americans abroad at greater risk. While no
formal changes were being made to a law prohibiting material support for
terrorists, the Justice Department indicated it would not hold families
accountable if they pursue ransom payments.

Obama expressed his concerns that paying ransoms makes Americans greater
targets for kidnapping and increases funding for terrorists. He also said the
U.S. government would continue to abide by the “no concessions” policy, but
made clear that government officials can have contact with hostage-takers.

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Arizona) said he agrees with the president’s stance on removing bureaucracy to improve communication during hostage situations, but he worries the change will make Americans targets.

“I remain unwavering in my belief that our government should never negotiate with terrorists,” he said in a statement. “The consequences of reversing this time-tested policy will only lead to more kidnappings and place more innocent Americans in harm’s way.”

KTAR’s Martha Maurer and the Associated Press contributed to this report.