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2017-2021 ARCHIVED CONTENT

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The Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs leads and coordinates the Government’s diplomatic engagements on overseas hostage-related matters. These include meeting with foreign leaders, advising on options to enhance efforts and providing senior representation in strategy meetings with other senior U.S. policy makers, including the Hostage Response Group that coordinates the development and implementation of U.S. hostage recovery policies and strategies. The Office works closely with the interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, a government-wide coordination body.

This office will facilitate better coordination with the families of Americans held hostage abroad. We will bring consistent senior-level attention to hostage affairs issues and engage with foreign partners to assist in hostage recovery and maintain a strong “no concessions” policy.

U.S. Department of State

The Lessons of 1989: Freedom and Our Future