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graphic of an island, was recapping the events of nine days ago:
    Thirty-six trade and tourism delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the US
and several Pacific nations were taken hostage at the Coral Isle Resort on remote Laui Island.
    One-time Opposition Leader Mila Ifran and members of his Pacific Rebel Alliance
have claimed responsibility for the attack. Despite initial witness reports of explosions and
gunfire, the rebel leader maintains that none of the hostages or remaining staff had been hurt.
Before normal communications with Laui were cut, 17 resort employees were cast off the island in a
launch. They confirmed that the rebels had then sunk the hotel's remaining commuter vessels.
    The rebels used fishing boats to reach the resort atoll from their base on the
main island 13 kilometres away. As these vessels and their crews have since been impounded and
arrested by the Australian Navy, it's believed that the PRA are also, effectively, confined to the
island of Laui.
     
    'Is that true?' Jana asked.
    'Effectively,' Ifran agreed. 'Watch now,' he added.
    The newsreader continued:
    The Foreign Minister today postponed his visit to Kuwait for talks with the US
Secretary of State, to meet instead with ministers from New Zealand, Fiji and the Philippines in an
attempt to find a solution to the hostage crisis. Representatives from Taiwan, Japan and the US are
also en route to New Zealand. Many of these same ministers will be meeting in Canberra in a
fortnight when Australia hosts the fifth SETSA meeting. High on the agenda for the now annual
Southern Economic Trade and Security Alliance will be new initiatives to fight the rise of
militancy, insurgency and cross-border terrorism within the 'South Pole to 23 degrees north'
zone.
    Mr Danby had this to say before flying out to Wellington:
    'The purpose of the emergency meeting in Wellington is to discuss ways of opening
a dialogue with the rebels on Laui. From all accounts Mila Ifran is a reasonable man; much loved and
respected. We should have no trouble finding a solution.'
     
    When a reporter asked the Minister if he was going to agree to the PRA's demands,
he said:
    'No. We don't negotiate with kidnappers. But we will open talks with Mr Ifran and
try to resolve the issue.'
     
    Jana noted the Foreign Minister looked smug and smarmy, as usual, but also more
harried than she'd ever seen him. Aaron Danby, great with the big-picture spin but hopeless with the
personal detail. It was one thing to grip the tailgate of the US bandwagon and commit troops to
overseas duty with the American posse, but another altogether to be responsible for the lives of
nine Australian civilians. Especially when their names and mugshots were running across the screen
as he spoke.
    Ifran hit the pause button. 'What does he mean, Dr Rossi? How can he say he doesn't negotiate but
he will talk to us?'
    'He means that he will ask what you want in exchange for our release.'
    Ifran looked puzzled. 'Isn't that negotiating?'
    'Only in the real world, Mr Ifran.'
    'Will he give us what we want?'
    'It won't be up to him alone and it depends what it is. What do you want?'
    'For our government to hold a free election monitored by the United Nations. Or by Australia.'
    'This is a bloody stupid way to go about it.'
    'Quiet, Alan,' Jana snapped. 'Is that it? Sorry. I know that's a huge thing, but is that all you
want?'
    Ifran shrugged. 'And for the aid that has been provided by Australia to reach the people it was
meant for; instead of lining the pockets of our corrupt politicians.'
    'I don't mean to be a cynical hack,' Alan interrupted again, 'but foreign aid never goes from a
country to a people. It goes from one government to another; and even then only when the government
with the dosh has an agenda to keep the other one in power.'
    'We seek to change that,' Ifran said.
    'I'm sure you do,' Alan said nodding.
    Ifran glanced over his shoulder at the soldiers in the doorway. 'Take him back. Then escort