Brown won’t rule out paying ransoms

New Hampshire Senate hopeful Scott Brown (R) says he is open to at least talking about paying ransom for Americans kidnapped by terrorist organizations.

Brown said he’d have to consider a specific situation, but didn’t rule out paying ransom to secure an American’s freedom.

{mosads}“Are there situations where we can barter or negotiate? Are there monies involved, or [is] there [a] transfer of prisoners? Are there situations where that’s appropriate?” he asked during an interview with the editorial board at New Hampshire’s Keene Sentinel.

“You know, I’m listening. I don’t know. I’d have to have that situation be presented to me.”

Brown’s comments on Aug. 21 were made as The New York Times reported that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) demanded $132 million in ransom before executing captured American photojournalist and New Hampshire native James Foley.

U.S. policy is to not negotiate with terrorist groups.

The Obama administration came under some criticism for releasing five prisoners from Guantánamo Bay earlier this year to secure the release of an American soldier held by the Taliban.

Brown acknowledged that paying a ransom could give an incentive to terrorist groups to commit more kidnappings in a bid to fund and expand their operations.

A spokesman later clarified that Brown was not seeking changes to U.S. policy.

“Scott Brown is not proposing changes to U.S. foreign policy, but is sensitive to the family’s concerns and willing to listen,” campaign spokeswoman Elizabeth Guyton said in a statement to The Hill.

Brown is a former senator from Massachusetts and retired Army National Guard colonel.

He’s moved to New Hampshire to try to defeat Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) this fall.

— Alexandra Jaffe contributed.