France to charge tourists for rescue

French tourists that are thinking about heading off to some of the more risky foreign destinations may be asked to pay the bill if the French government has to come to their rescue.

The draft of a new law proposed by the foreign minister would oblige travelers to reimburse France for air fare and other costs that it could incur during a rescue from a war zone or hostage situation. French officials say that their aim is to prompt responsibility among travelers during a time when many kidnappings are taking place across the globe.

Many critics are saying that this new measurement would unlikely prevent a hot headed traveler from getting into trouble in some of the dangerous corners of the world. These critics go on to say that a government must protect its citizens no matter what the cost.

The Foreign Ministry did note that these new measurements would not affect people in cases like Clotilde Reiss, a 24-year-old French teacher who was on trail in Iran and freed last Sunday on bail that was paid by the French government.

The ministry went on to say that this new bill would apply only to leisure seeking tourists and their travel agencies. The new law would not apply to diplomats, air workers, reporters, and others that are engaged in professional activities outside of France.

One example that the Foreign Ministry gave that would apply was the case where the French government had to pay to fly home over 500 tourists that were stranded in Thailand amid civil unrest in late 2008.