The family of James Foley has posted the letter that ISIS, the extremist Sunni Muslim group in Iraq and Syria, sent them before executing the photojournalist who they kidnapped 21 months prior.
Also read: Justice Department Pursuing James Foley’s Killers: ‘We Will Not Forget’
The email was sent August 12, almost a week before ISIS posted a video of its members beheading Foley in the desert. It confirms that the group demanded a ransom of $132 million for the safe return of Foley and three other Americans it had seized. The United States, unlike European countries, refuses to negotiate with terrorists, which left it to Foley’s family and his employer, the Boston-based GlobalPost, to spend millions in hopes of securing his freedom.
Part of the letter is excerpted below; the full copy is at the GlobalPost:
You have no motivation to deal with the Muslims except with the language of force, a language you were given in “Arabic translation” when you attempted to occupy the land of Iraq!
Now you return to bomb the Muslims of Iraq once again, this time resorting to Arial attacks and “proxy armies”, all the while cowardly shying away from a face-to-face confrontation!
Today our swords are unsheathed towards you, GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENS ALIKE! AND WE WILL NOT STOP UNTILL WE QUENCH OUR THIRST FOR YOUR BLOOD.
Earlier this week, David Rohde, writing in The Atlantic, said that Foley believed that despite the US’s stated non-negotiation policy, it would work to free him. The White House later revealed that the Pentagon attempted a rescue operation that failed due to poor intelligence.
Also read: Obama: ‘Entire World Is Appalled’ by James Foley’s Murder
“As we have said repeatedly, the United States government is committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens, particularly those suffering in captivity. In this case, we put the best of the United States military in harms’ way to try and bring our citizens home,” Rear Adm. Kirby said on Wednesday.
“The United States government uses the full breadth of our military, intelligence and diplomatic capabilities to bring people home whenever we can,” he continued. “The United States will not tolerate the abduction of our people, and will work tirelessly to secure the safety of our citizens and to hold their captors accountable.”
Foley’s parents appeared on the “Today” Show on Friday, where they discussed the tragedy and the call they received from Pope Francis.
“Pope Francis was so dear because he is grieving himself having just lost three members of his family and (with) his nephew critically ill,” Diane Foley said. “Here in the midst of his tremendous grief, he took the time to call. He was just so kind.”
