The Algerians Have the Right Idea

From Fox News:

Algeria's hardline military's clash with al-Qaida militants leaves many casualties

After a possible convoy of five jeeps got fired on by Algerian military helicopters, killing several terrorists and some of the hostages. Some members of the International Community of the Very Very Caring have complained about Algeria's handling of the hostage situation:

An international outcry mounted over the Algerians' handling of the crisis. Experts noted that this is how they have always dealt with terrorists.
"It's the Russian training for dealing with terrorism," said Matieu Guidere, a longtime expert on al-Qaida and Algeria. "The message is: We will terrorize the terrorists. ... This is clear. The life of hostages is nothing in the balance."

 When dealing with terrorists, it is important to remember that capitulation to their demands just results in more demands, until the targeted country tires of paying this modern Dane-geld. Algeria's handling of this may be somewhat (perhaps very) ham-handed, but they at least realize this:

It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,
  To puff and look important and to say: --
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.
  We will therefore pay you cash to go away."

And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
  But we've  proved it again and  again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
  You never get rid of the Dane.           

Rudyard Kipling, Dane-Geld

We too still hold to no negotiating with terrorists. It is too bad that we won't go the extra step and turn terror tactics onto the terrorists, or at least engage in reprisal for their numerous violations of the laws of war.

UPDATE: CBS also has an article on the recent developments in the hostage situation.
UPDATE II: Fox has another article that I missed.