Bombs and Dollars – American Foreign Policy Blog – China, Afghanistan, Pakistan

Former Green Beret-turned-war correspondent Michael Yon has created quite a controversy this week by accusing the New York Times of putting hostages in danger and paying for the release of captured reporter David Rohde.

The Times published an article containing a lot of information about two British hostages captured by Somalian pirates.

Yon made a series of tweets on Sunday eviscerating the Times for hypocrisy, after they kept Rohde’s capture secret, and also claimed that Rohde’s release had been paid for.

Kept it all quiet for NYT. Now why are the NYT endangering British hostages in Somalia? NYT needs to shut up. They are endangering British.2:59 AM Nov 1st from web

I have been told by very close sources that ex-CIA officers helped pay off release for Rohde. I knew this while it was ongoing.2:56 AM Nov 1st from web

The story made its way around the blogosphere, including Newsbusters, Gawker, and the Huffington Post. The Times responded on one of their blogs.

This rumor about a ransom being paid for Rodhe was previously reported by The London Times, which said that “the Taliban received up to $9m (£5.4m).” They published a correction four days later, saying, “The New York Times assures us that no ransom at all was paid by any party on its behalf to secure the freedom of Rohde,” but the Times Online regional sources apparently still think money was paid by someone. (The UK Times only says that their sources must have been “mistaken.”)

According to ABC News, the Taliban wanted up to $25 million for Rodhe, and sources claim that there were “heated and contentious” debates at the Times executives office.

“They didn’t want to turn every New York Times reported into a walking ATM machine for terrorists.”

Michael Yon continued tweeting about it today:

NYT should stop advertising the current crisis. Cannot expect quiet for their team while risking these hostages.about 6 hours ago from web

Morrell said it was believed Rohde was moved to Pakistan. Other sources said same. Media clamped down. Why not with current hostages?about 6 hours ago from web

During a trip with Secretary Gates from Afghanistan to Iraq to US in December, I asked Geoff Morrell about Rohde.about 6 hours ago from web

Just half an hour prior to the writing of this post, Yon tweeted:

Just getting to computer and there is much email about NYT reporting, in addition to requests re loss of SSGt Schmid. Schmid comes first.

He hasn’t written anything on his blog about the Times affair, but judging by the controversy that has gathered, he may very well write about it in more detail.

As for their reporting on the Somalian capture, the Times issued this statement:

The New York Times did not break the story of the kidnapping of Paul and Rachel Chandler, and during our reporting of it The Times consulted Christine Collett, Ms. Chandler’s sister-in-law, to ask her if the family objected to the publication of any information regarding the case. Ms. Collett, who was quoted in the story, said the family had no objection to The Times reporting on the case.

The Times has continued to abide by its policy of checking with family members or authorities in kidnapping cases to ensure that the information published does not further endanger the victims. The policy has been applied not only in the Chandler case, but to kidnapping victims elsewhere as well.

UPDATE: ABC News is reporting that the Times considered a $2 million payment.

The Times reportedly moved more than a million dollars in cash to the region and its negotiators reportedly thought they could get Haqqani to agree to a $2 million payment.

UPDATE II: Yon notes this morning that the Times did admitted to paying security consultants, as noted in the ABC News story.

NYT admits “consultants” paid Taliban:”Security consultants who worked on our case said cash was paid to Taliban members who said they knew

NYT not denying money paid to Taliban: http://bit.ly/17UQa4

The security company pay the guards thousands of dollars to treat Rohde and his other captives better, as reported by ABC, but that money wouldn’t be qualify as ransom.

Also, Yon’s tweets regarding whether the media is endangering the hostages:

Some in the British press have been endangering the hostages. Not just NYT. Was upset with NYT because they should be leaders on this.

Just cease fire on helping pirates and kidnappers, please.

Keep reading (and subscribe) Bombs And Dollars for updates on the situation.