rivonia
Well-Known Member
I am way out of date and so hope some one out there can let me know. What is/has happened to the Chandlers, are they free or still in the hell hole of Somali?
Peter
Peter
The Chandlers
- Thread starter rivonia
- Start date
Mino
Well-Known Member
Judging from this site, it would appear that they are still being held captive.
http://www.savethechandlers.com
http://www.savethechandlers.com
MailASail
Well-Known Member
According to:
http://www.savethechandlers.com/about/
Are we really sure that this site isn't a scam? Sure I would hate to detract attention away from an important resource if it's not... I guess if it's not got support of the family then you have to beware parting with any money..?
Mino
Well-Known Member
That's a good point. It may well be. I just took a look at this site to see what the latest news was. I would never give money unless I was absolutely certain that the recipient was legitimate. I'm sure if one wished to help the Chandlers, then perhaps contacting the family direct would be the safer option. I'm sure they would be easy enough to track down.
Sundowner Portofino
Well-Known Member
Still captive and sadly off the media radar.
lenseman
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- South East Coast - United Kingdom
but not out of the attention of the British Government.
This from Africa Reuters:
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Britain took aim on Monday [27 Sept 2010] at the widespread but little publicized practice of paying ransoms to militant groups to win the release of kidnap victims, saying it helped fund terrorism.
The British government "believes that we must act to prevent kidnap ransoms becoming a significant source of terrorist finance," Foreign Secretary William Hague told a U.N. Security Council meeting on terrorism.
"From our own experience of hostage situations, we understand how difficult kidnap cases are," Hague said. "But it is dangerous to regard ransom as a 'necessary evil' or as a legitimate tool for resolving kidnaps."
"They encourage more kidnaps and fund murder. Major attacks can be mounted for only tens of thousands of dollars, so million dollar ransoms can mean dozens of attacks," he added.
Hague noted that a Security Council resolution passed last December made it illegal to pay ransoms to people under council sanctions because of their links to the al Qaeda or Taliban militant groups.
Few governments admit to paying ransoms to secure the freedom of their citizens who fall into the hands of militants, but money is widely believed to change hands in some cases.
Among other places, the issue has arisen in North Africa, where al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and allied groups have carried out a wave of kidnappings over the past year, pulling in million of dollars in ransoms, analysts say.
The tactic has divided regional states, with Algeria and Mauritania calling for a more hard-line approach to dealing with it. A U.S. military official, who declined to be identified, said in London last month that "the countries are at each other's throats over payments. It hurts us regionally."
A lengthy statement adopted after Monday's council meeting expressed concern over a rise in kidnapping aimed at raising funds and reminded U.N. member states of their duty to prevent the financing of terrorist acts, but did not directly address the question of ransoms. (Reporting by Patrick Worsnip; Editing by Todd Eastham)
http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFN2727549520100927
This from Africa Reuters:
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Britain took aim on Monday [27 Sept 2010] at the widespread but little publicized practice of paying ransoms to militant groups to win the release of kidnap victims, saying it helped fund terrorism.
The British government "believes that we must act to prevent kidnap ransoms becoming a significant source of terrorist finance," Foreign Secretary William Hague told a U.N. Security Council meeting on terrorism.
"From our own experience of hostage situations, we understand how difficult kidnap cases are," Hague said. "But it is dangerous to regard ransom as a 'necessary evil' or as a legitimate tool for resolving kidnaps."
"They encourage more kidnaps and fund murder. Major attacks can be mounted for only tens of thousands of dollars, so million dollar ransoms can mean dozens of attacks," he added.
Hague noted that a Security Council resolution passed last December made it illegal to pay ransoms to people under council sanctions because of their links to the al Qaeda or Taliban militant groups.
Few governments admit to paying ransoms to secure the freedom of their citizens who fall into the hands of militants, but money is widely believed to change hands in some cases.
Among other places, the issue has arisen in North Africa, where al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and allied groups have carried out a wave of kidnappings over the past year, pulling in million of dollars in ransoms, analysts say.
The tactic has divided regional states, with Algeria and Mauritania calling for a more hard-line approach to dealing with it. A U.S. military official, who declined to be identified, said in London last month that "the countries are at each other's throats over payments. It hurts us regionally."
A lengthy statement adopted after Monday's council meeting expressed concern over a rise in kidnapping aimed at raising funds and reminded U.N. member states of their duty to prevent the financing of terrorist acts, but did not directly address the question of ransoms. (Reporting by Patrick Worsnip; Editing by Todd Eastham)
http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFN2727549520100927
V1701
Well-Known Member
It's a completely anonymous web site linked to a US$ Paypal account, no way would I ever give any money to it...
syfuga
Well-Known Member
Accountability and 'Save the Chandlers'
I posted a comment a while ago to the 'Save the Chandlers' website questioning its accountability. It's still 'awaiting moderation'. The site appears to be effectively dead.
I think there has to be a questionmark as previous poster has commented, it is totally anonymous.
The Chandlers have now been captive for almost a year! Nothing appears to be happening? I would like to think if I was in their position someone might be making an effort. When I have enquired of the CA (of which they are active members) I was quietly advised to shut up, because media attention was counter productive. But is that what got John McCarthy, Terry Waite, and such folk released? I recall Jill Morrell mounted a major campaign.
I did very recently try e-mailing the hon member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), but have not so far received an acknowledgement.
(I don't see anything about the Chandlers in the Reuters report, only established FCO policy).
Who IS driving this one, I wonder?
I posted a comment a while ago to the 'Save the Chandlers' website questioning its accountability. It's still 'awaiting moderation'. The site appears to be effectively dead.
I think there has to be a questionmark as previous poster has commented, it is totally anonymous.
The Chandlers have now been captive for almost a year! Nothing appears to be happening? I would like to think if I was in their position someone might be making an effort. When I have enquired of the CA (of which they are active members) I was quietly advised to shut up, because media attention was counter productive. But is that what got John McCarthy, Terry Waite, and such folk released? I recall Jill Morrell mounted a major campaign.
I did very recently try e-mailing the hon member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), but have not so far received an acknowledgement.
(I don't see anything about the Chandlers in the Reuters report, only established FCO policy).
Who IS driving this one, I wonder?
jax
Well-Known Member
At one time there was a saying when things went wrong "Thank God we have a Navy" After the pity-full way the Navy allowed the abductors to waltz away with the Chandlers (Surly they could have blocked their escape route without endangering the captives?) and now the seemingly lack of progress in getting the Chandlers released wonders if there is more to this than meets the eye
Mino
Well-Known Member
If Mr or Mrs Chandler were the brother/sister/uncle/aunt of a cabinet minister, they probably would have been rescued; or the ransom paid, last year, no matter what Mr Hague says.
IanScrim
Member
Write to MP
The only action I could think of doing was send an email my local MP (Edward Timpson),does any one know who the Chandler's local MP is (I understand they have been out of country for some time) so I could send a copy to him?
Has any MP expressed any interest?
The only action I could think of doing was send an email my local MP (Edward Timpson),does any one know who the Chandler's local MP is (I understand they have been out of country for some time) so I could send a copy to him?
Has any MP expressed any interest?
syfuga
Well-Known Member
Chandlers status
I have received a reply from their MP who assures me that he is in close contact with the FCO.
Lack of publicity is at the family's request, as it is feared that this would have a negative impact.
We must wait and see.
(Hague was addressing the issue of terrorists, not piracy per se)
I have received a reply from their MP who assures me that he is in close contact with the FCO.
Lack of publicity is at the family's request, as it is feared that this would have a negative impact.
We must wait and see.
(Hague was addressing the issue of terrorists, not piracy per se)
lenseman
Well-Known Member
- Joined
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- Messages
- 7,077
- Location
- South East Coast - United Kingdom
I check every day and seek news from everuwhere and anywhere. This is the latest piracy report by Ecoterra dated 7th October 2010:
:
Sea-jacked British couple, Paul and Rachel Chandler, aged 59 and 56, were abducted from their 38-ft yacht S/Y LYNN RIVAL, seized October 22, 2009 en route to Tanzania, and are still held in Somalia. The yacht was recovered by the crew of UK naval vessel Waveknight, after they witnessed the transfer of the Chandlers to commandeered MV KOTA WAJAR. The yacht was brought back to England. The elderly couple is now held on land close to Adado, sometimes separated for fear of a commando attack. The case is turning more and more ugly with pirates becoming brutal, politicians ignorant and the financially incapable family intimidated by several sidelines, whose money-guided approach is undermining bids by local elders, human rights groups and the Somali Diaspora to get the innocent couple free. Some humanitarian efforts, however, have succeeded and Somali elders, respected leaders and the Somali Diaspora have renewed their demand for an unconditional release. Latest reports from the ground say that the couple is now treated better, though they often are kept separated for fear of a military rescue attempt. Since the health of both elderly people at the beginning of the year was reportedly deteriorating rapidly relief and medicine has been sent by a humanitarian organization and was received by the couple. Repeatedly rumours were spread concerning attacks, wounding or killing one of the hostages and also about a release managed by the TFG, but all these stories became so far not true. With former British Premier Gordon Brown gone, some believed that the incoming politicians under conservative Premier David Cameron maybe would be more rational and humanitarian minded, would not abandon their citizens but would extend help to solve the appalling case. Unfortunately for the elderly couple in captivity also the new government in the UK made it clear that no ransom would be paid by the British government and British MPs, who had enough and wanted to cut through, were quickly whistled back. Professor Mohamed Omar Dalha, the Minister for Rehabilitation and Social Affairs of the Somali Transitional Federal Government of Somalia had repeatedly been pleading with the hostage takers to release the couple, but to no avail. Also the direct approach by the family seems to have had some not so successful advisers, because an attempt to free the Chandlers mid June 2010 didn't work out, while the family according to Reuters allegedly already lost the 430,000 US$ they had collected by paying that amount blindly to to elders involved in the negotiations, a clan chief told Reuters. The pirates had demanded a $7 million ransom for the couple, but reduced the figure to less than $1 million. Most recently the British officials who still hold a firm grip on the next of kin of the abducted couple, seem to have embarked on a campaign under the motto: "If we can't get them free, nobody else shall!" and concentrated their efforts not on uniting capable people and available resources to get a solution, but to just frustrate any independent effort. Such can be summarized as factual abandonment, though - in order to be fair - it also must be stated very clearly that neither the Transitional Federal Government, be it President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed himself, nor the Prime-Minister or several cabinet-ministers, who all promised to get the hostages free, have achieved anything. Likewise the Somali Diaspora, who apparently collected money, which now is said to have disappeared, did also not proof to be helpful. With next of kin in retreat, the British government blocking, officials incapable, the media gagged and even friends helpless, the changes of the Chandlers look bleak, while fundamentalist Al-Shabaab are approaching the area where they are held. The last proof of life from the couple dates from mid September 2010.
http://australia.to/2010/index.php?...tus-of-abducted-vessels-in-somalia&Itemid=223
:
Sea-jacked British couple, Paul and Rachel Chandler, aged 59 and 56, were abducted from their 38-ft yacht S/Y LYNN RIVAL, seized October 22, 2009 en route to Tanzania, and are still held in Somalia. The yacht was recovered by the crew of UK naval vessel Waveknight, after they witnessed the transfer of the Chandlers to commandeered MV KOTA WAJAR. The yacht was brought back to England. The elderly couple is now held on land close to Adado, sometimes separated for fear of a commando attack. The case is turning more and more ugly with pirates becoming brutal, politicians ignorant and the financially incapable family intimidated by several sidelines, whose money-guided approach is undermining bids by local elders, human rights groups and the Somali Diaspora to get the innocent couple free. Some humanitarian efforts, however, have succeeded and Somali elders, respected leaders and the Somali Diaspora have renewed their demand for an unconditional release. Latest reports from the ground say that the couple is now treated better, though they often are kept separated for fear of a military rescue attempt. Since the health of both elderly people at the beginning of the year was reportedly deteriorating rapidly relief and medicine has been sent by a humanitarian organization and was received by the couple. Repeatedly rumours were spread concerning attacks, wounding or killing one of the hostages and also about a release managed by the TFG, but all these stories became so far not true. With former British Premier Gordon Brown gone, some believed that the incoming politicians under conservative Premier David Cameron maybe would be more rational and humanitarian minded, would not abandon their citizens but would extend help to solve the appalling case. Unfortunately for the elderly couple in captivity also the new government in the UK made it clear that no ransom would be paid by the British government and British MPs, who had enough and wanted to cut through, were quickly whistled back. Professor Mohamed Omar Dalha, the Minister for Rehabilitation and Social Affairs of the Somali Transitional Federal Government of Somalia had repeatedly been pleading with the hostage takers to release the couple, but to no avail. Also the direct approach by the family seems to have had some not so successful advisers, because an attempt to free the Chandlers mid June 2010 didn't work out, while the family according to Reuters allegedly already lost the 430,000 US$ they had collected by paying that amount blindly to to elders involved in the negotiations, a clan chief told Reuters. The pirates had demanded a $7 million ransom for the couple, but reduced the figure to less than $1 million. Most recently the British officials who still hold a firm grip on the next of kin of the abducted couple, seem to have embarked on a campaign under the motto: "If we can't get them free, nobody else shall!" and concentrated their efforts not on uniting capable people and available resources to get a solution, but to just frustrate any independent effort. Such can be summarized as factual abandonment, though - in order to be fair - it also must be stated very clearly that neither the Transitional Federal Government, be it President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed himself, nor the Prime-Minister or several cabinet-ministers, who all promised to get the hostages free, have achieved anything. Likewise the Somali Diaspora, who apparently collected money, which now is said to have disappeared, did also not proof to be helpful. With next of kin in retreat, the British government blocking, officials incapable, the media gagged and even friends helpless, the changes of the Chandlers look bleak, while fundamentalist Al-Shabaab are approaching the area where they are held. The last proof of life from the couple dates from mid September 2010.
http://australia.to/2010/index.php?...tus-of-abducted-vessels-in-somalia&Itemid=223
Mino
Well-Known Member
I have a bad feeling re. their fate. I really, really hope I'm wrong.
wazza
Well-Known Member
Forgetting to remember..
It is bloody disgusting how little is be done to free them... For God sake they are British, our inert government needs to get its finger out.
As much as everyone whines about the yanks, if they'd been US citizens... well I dont think they'd still be captives.
WE ARE PATHETIC.... sad but true. I served in Her Majesties Royal Navy, and am appalled how inept they've reacted on a couple of occassions, I KNOW there is a chain of command but well.... sad.... and of course I know it used to be Britania Rules the Waves, but now Britain is a joke.
As much as I am still so proud to have the Red Ensign flying on my yacht, proud to be English I am also saddend at the same time... Maybe the pride is living in the past glory.. And I'm only 41...
I don't apologize for my rant.... Just feel we need to keep this couple in OUR minds, as we lay in our bunks tonight, with our heads on our comfortable pillows.... imagine it was YOU out there alone!!
It is bloody disgusting how little is be done to free them... For God sake they are British, our inert government needs to get its finger out.
As much as everyone whines about the yanks, if they'd been US citizens... well I dont think they'd still be captives.
WE ARE PATHETIC.... sad but true. I served in Her Majesties Royal Navy, and am appalled how inept they've reacted on a couple of occassions, I KNOW there is a chain of command but well.... sad.... and of course I know it used to be Britania Rules the Waves, but now Britain is a joke.
As much as I am still so proud to have the Red Ensign flying on my yacht, proud to be English I am also saddend at the same time... Maybe the pride is living in the past glory.. And I'm only 41...
I don't apologize for my rant.... Just feel we need to keep this couple in OUR minds, as we lay in our bunks tonight, with our heads on our comfortable pillows.... imagine it was YOU out there alone!!
peterb
Well-Known Member
We hear today of a hostage in Afghanistan being killed during a rescue attempt. The Chandlers may not be in happy circumstances, but they are still alive. They are kept separated so that a rescue attempt on one could result in harm to the other. What do you think the RN should do?
[27631]
N/A
media attention...
Hi....media attention could be counter-productive...if some persons had stirling intentions in that arena.....!
Hi....media attention could be counter-productive...if some persons had stirling intentions in that arena.....!
wazza
Well-Known Member
Like I said I KNOW there is a chain of command and that EVERYONE onboard our ships have someone to answer to, but more force is needed.. I'd like to say what I'd really like to see our fine Navy do but I'm sure I'd be labelled as a war mungering ex-military fellow. We used to hang pirates, blowing them out of the water would be a good start! I feel for the family of the Chandlers and for the Chandlers themselves. I'm sure they want to see SOMETHING done.
There are too many 'do gooders' in our country, look at the amount of S**t the Navy got when we sunk the Belgrano, the Captain should've been given a medal!!!!!
Nelson, Collingwood and others would be turning in their 'pits' at what has happened to their Navy.
With regard to the Afghan issue, OF COURSE there is risk at rescue, but if I'd been held captive for a year I'd want a rescue attempt made. Sure thats me, but I wouldn't want to rot away there.. Reading Mino's post nothing seems to be gaining any ground, their relatives have lost the money they'd raised disappearing into someones pocket..
And like I said originally.. Just want to keep Paul and Rachel Chandler in all our minds
Mino
Well-Known Member
I said exactly the same thing in an earlier thread.
Hamma
Well-Known Member
I was just reminded by the BBC website that this has been a year now.
I don't know what else to say that doesn't seem trite.
Perhaps someone will show some compassion and some common sense.
I don't know what else to say that doesn't seem trite.
Perhaps someone will show some compassion and some common sense.