The US Government is defending a decision not to pay a ransom of more than 80 million pounds that was demanded by Islamic State in exchange for the freedom of executed journalist James Foley.
And top Obama administration officials have given more information about a failed rescue mission to free Mr. Foley and other Islamic State captives.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
IN: NATSOUND (HAGEL)
OUT: SOC
DUR: 1:50
AIR: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821foleypkg-sm-air.mp3
ARN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821foleypkg-sm-arn.mp3
FM4: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821foleypkg-sm-fm4.mp3
ICRT: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821foleypkg-sm-icrt.mp3
NIGERIA: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821foleypkg-sm-von.mp3
RNZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821foleypkg-sm-rnz.mp3
TRIBUTE: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821foleypkg-sm-trib.mp3
VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821foleypkg-sm-vat.mp3
ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821foleypkg-sm-ziz.mp3
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821foleypkg-sm-generic.mp3
AXX
Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, speaking at the Pentagon and facing growing questions about whether the US government did enough to help free journalists James Foley - executed earlier this week by Islamic State - and Stephen Sotloff, whose life is still threatened by the group.
He confirmed that a rescue mission was launched earlier this year.
But….it didn't work.
AXX
The information that led to the US attempted rescue was gleaned from French and Italian captives, freed by Islamic State reportedly after large ransom payments were made in exchange for them.
But the Obama administration says even though a demand was made for 132 million dollars in exchange for Mr. Foley's life…..the US government would never have done the deal.
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf.
AXX
Obama administration critics point out that while the White House claims not to engage in deals with terrorists….it did recently agree to free 5 inmates from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for the captured American soldier Bowe Bergdahl.
That arrangement, brokered by the government of Qatar, was defended at the time by the same US officials who today say they could have done no more to save Mr. Foley's life.
SOC