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There should be “no rush” in negotiations after a Tennessee pastor was kidnapped while preaching at a church in South Africa, a retired FBI agent and hostage negotiator from Knoxville told Fox News Digital.
“The key is to calm things down, slow things down, and just have that dialogue and listen to see what the hostage takers want,” explained Jason Pack, the retired agent. He also stated, “There’s no rush into this. Negotiators want to buy time and slow things down.”
Pack further noted that along with the U.S. embassy, the FBI also has a legal attaché office in South Africa and will be involved.
“The main goal now both from the South African government and from the U.S. government is the safe return of Pastor Sullivan to his family and his loved ones without anyone getting hurt,” Pack stressed.
Sullivan, a missionary, was kidnapped by several armed, masked men who broke into his church in the Eastern Cape Province Thursday evening. No other family members were hurt.
The retired agent pointed out, if there is a silver lining, it would be that none of the other family members were hurt.
He also added that as Sullivan and his family are from the same part of Tennessee as him, the community is rallying around them, praying for the safe return of the pastor and his family.
Pack urged, “The more we can talk and listen, the more successful you can be in these type situations.”
The FBI headquarters and seal are shown in Washington, D.C. / Photos by Getty Images.
Pack concluded that while apprehending the captors is important, it should not be the immediate concern. The focus should be on the safety of Mr. Sullivan and those involved.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/slowing-things-down-key-safe-return-tennessee-pastor-kidnapped-south-africa-retired-fbi-agent
