At last, some actual words to supplement SH's casual "Hmmm". However I cannot imagine how anyone can be surprised that ZR is "rather lukewarm" about the circumstances of her eventual release. She had been incarcerated for 6 years by a bunch of crazed Islamic radicals while our diplomats failed her. I hope it never happens to SH, but she should perhaps think harder about what it is like trying to seek help from the Foreign Office in time of difficulty. I have had that experience on a comparatively minor matter, and it was deeply frustrating. My reading of the FO's approach to such matters as ZR's plight is that they tend to put money ahead of people, employing a complex, listless bureaucracy in the process. I frankly do not believe the FO tried hard enough, earlier enough, to secure ZR's release.
Alexander MacLeod ● 1181d