The negotiation delegation says that Congolese authorities are willing to release the boys if they and the widow can agree on compensation. We have to believe this is a step in the right direction.
We just have to see what happens. The papers have called the families often with questions, especially about the money. How can we answer that? We just have to wait and see.Up until now all claims have been totally unrealistic, they want millions of dollars. This is money that doesn’t exist, and can’t be raised no matter how much we want to.
At the same time I think they realize that the money they will get for two corpses are 0 dollars. If the case drags out it can come to that.
The boys have said that because the driver was employed by them when he was killed, they will help the widow. They will try to organize a deal so she can survive, but if she thinks that she will be one of Congo’s richest because of the murder she will be disappointed. They would’ve had to arrest someone far richer than these two poor guys.
And old saying goes: “Where there is nothing to get, even the emperor will lose his right”. Arnulf Øverland (a Norwegian prisoner of war during World War 2) was held in captivity, when the commander wanted him to be a gardener. He said to the commander: “Why don’t you just arrest a gardener?” This is the same thing, if they want millions, the next time they have to arrest a millionaire.
Knut Moland, September 3rd 2010
