WASHINGTON (AP) - The family of an American captive killed in a drone strike would welcome the creation of a hostage czar to coordinate government efforts to free those held.
Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., introduced legislation last week to create a "czar," soon after President Barack Obama apologized for a drone strike in January that accidentally killed Warren Weinstein of Maryland and Giovanni Lo Porto, an Italian citizen.
Weinstein, of Rockville, Maryland, was kidnapped on Aug. 13, 2011 by militants in Lahore, Pakistan, and held for more than three years before he was killed.
In a statement Wednesday, Weinstein's wife, Elaine, backed the idea for a hostage czar. She says the U.S. needs one official who can better coordinate the efforts of all government agencies working to bring American hostages home.
