David and Judith Tebbutt / Kenya Kidnapping / Traveler's Responsibilitiy

I’m not an expert in security issues involving the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti, and other countries of the region, but I’d like to discuss some very basic questions with my readers.

TRAGIC:  Recently Judith Tebbutt, wife of British executive David Tebbutt, was kidnapped from a ‘luxury’ resort in Kenya – located on the coast and less than twenty miles from the Somalia border.  The Tebbutts were the only vacationers at the resort.  I wonder why?  David was apparently shot and killed when he resisted.  Judith’s whereabouts are currently unknown, but she is believed to be in Somalia.

This is, of course, not the first kidnapping of Westerners in the region.  Nor, undoubtedly, will it be the last.  It is apparently an incredibly lucrative crime.  If you search out information on the numerous regional kidnappings, not to mention the hijacking of ships, you will see that the ransom demands and the payoffs are in the millions of dollars.  Captives can expect the following from their captors:  they will be exchanged for prisoners held by Western governments, their freedom will be purchased for a multi-million dollar ransom which is often / usually paid by a government agency, or they will be killed.

What’s bewildering to me is that the government agencies do their best, go to great efforts, to conceal the amount of ransom paid.  Why is that?  Certainly, the kidnappers know the amount.  I suppose it has to do with the government not wanting the more criminally-challenged kidnappers in the world to know what they are missing.  However, if you have access to the Internet, and are willing to delve into it, there are always witnesses and family members that ultimately spill the beans.

My question is couldn’t David and Judith have found somewhere else to spend an extravagant vacation?  Am I heartless to say this?

And, why do the U.S. or British governments, as well as other Western governments give their citizens the right to go to these dangerous regions of the world – without taking out a massive insurance policy to cover the ransom demands?  Most major corporations do this for their executives.  Perhaps, David’s company carried this coverage.  Although, that sort of insurance policy is generally for business related travel, not vacations.

Then again, I suppose the same questions could be put forth about one of our neighbors, Mexico.  Although, said country has not yet reached the entrepreneurial capacity for kidnappings of say Somalia.  It will.  You can count on that.

Does the individual traveler have any personal responsibilities?  Or is ignorance of the dangers a valid defense?  Should our military be used to attempt a rescue?  Should our government pay the ransom?

Have you ever read the U.S State Department’s travel warnings for a particular country?  They are quite often extensive, and usually somewhat comical.

Regarding Mexico, it reads something like – if I might paraphrase – there have been tens of thousands murders in the last few years in Mexico involving the drug trade and the government’s efforts to stifle the illegal narcotics’ business (often without much success).  Many of the murders, although we do not keep those statistics, involved innocent bystanders.  Usually American citizens are not targeted, but it could happen.  We highly recommend that you stay out of dark alleys, dubious neighborhoods, and the following numerous cities and provinces.  Additionally, we recommend you be alert to potential danger wherever and whenever it might occur; even though we are aware that you would be helpless to protect yourself.  Have fun and enjoy your vacation.  Odds are that you will return home safely.

True Nelson