There had been reports that money and arms were also involved in the deal. and this aspect of the deal had been criticized by the United States and by other countries. Our own experience has demonstrated that paying ransom to hostage takers encourages further acts of terrorism. But aside from the inherent problems involved with armsforhostages deals with Iran. it should certainly not be a part of any deal in which the lives and liberties of refugees seeking escape from persecution should be endangered. Any compassionate person feels some empathy with the efforts of the French Government to obtain release of French hostages. The taking of hostages is a matter of grave concern for all the countries whose citizens become victims of such terrorist acts. But the issue we must focus on is Frances approach to winning the release of hostages. When lives are potentially being traded for other lives. the price may be too high. Ironically. the expulsion of the Iranian refugees took place on the day that is set aside to commemorate the signing of the U.N. Human Rights Declarationa document inspired by Frances own epochal declaration in 189. I would add that it has been only days since the U.N.
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refugees