In the wake of Bill Clinton's successful negotiations with the government of North Korea, which resulted in the freeing of two American journalists, some people have been calling for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to go to Somalia and intervene on behalf of kidnapped Alberta journalist Amanda Lindhout.

Nothing could be less productive, more risky and more conducive to endangering the lives of other Canadians abroad.

Lindhout, 28, a freelance journalist from Sylvan Lake, was kidnapped at gunpoint nearly a year ago along with Australian photographer Nigel Brennan, as the pair drove back to Mogadishu after visiting a refugee camp. The kidnappers broke off negotiations with Canadian officials earlier this year and reportedly lowered their ransom demand from$2.5 million to $100,000.

Reporters Without Borders lists Somalia as the most dangerous African country for journalists, with seven having been killed there in 2007 and five so far in 2009.

For more than a year, Canada's Foreign Affairs website has posted a travel warning advising "against all travel in Somalia. Canadians in this country should leave."

The warning further states that the "rule of law is virtually non-existent," the security situation in Somalia is volatile, and that the Canadian government cannot provide consular help to Canadians in trouble there.

The risks in the Lindhout case are subtle and far reaching.

Besides the obvious fact that it is not Harper's job to travel the world personally rescuing Canadian citizens in trouble, the optics of him travelling to Somalia to negotiate Lindhout's release present two entirely different facets --one here in the West, and one in the Third World.

To the West, it looks like a noble, heartwarming gesture whose accompanying publicity would supposedly guarantee a happy ending and trip home for Lindhout.

In the minds of the terrorists, bandits, guerrillas and other desperadoes who people unstable Third World countries and carry out such kidnappings, it is a twisted path to glory.

They would see it as proof of their power to bring a western country to its knees when a high-level leader personally shows up to talk with them about a hostage's release.

The ripple effect?

Canadians travelling in other Third World countries would be at risk from thugs and kidnappers who declared open season on Canadians, seeking their piece of that same triumphal power over a western nation.

For the safety of all concerned, including Lindhout, intermediaries acting as negotiators, and Canadians abroad, the government must continue to work on her behalf in secrecy--and without involving any highly visible public figures.

Source: calgaryherald.com

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