Williams' narrative was published during ongoing ransom negotiations and pressed for greater activity to return the Deerfield captives.

Discovered during the raid was the cell phone used during ransom negotiations as well as an unidentified piece of apparel rumored to be of a sexual nature.

But Iraqi investigators believe that the display was essentially a bargaining ploy in ransom negotiations.

Staag was pressing for opening ransom negotiations.

Both emphasized the GoU position that a peaceful resolution, likely through a successful ransom negotiation, is the only acceptable outcome from Ukraine's perspective.

In one version, ransom negotiations broke down and the remains were never recovered.

The letter harshly criticized the authorities as making it hard the sniper to contact them to begin ransom negotiations.

They said it would almost certainly be decided by secret ransom negotiations with the rebel group by Philippine go-betweens.

The investigators said the family, which had not been involved in the kidnapping itself, was to be paid a flat fee of $2,500 no matter how the ransom negotiations ended up.

The contact in the kidnappings, which had not been previously reported, was apparently intended to begin ransom negotiations.