The UK will not pay ransoms 
(Level: Upper-Intermediate / B2 to C1 / ***)

An Islamic State militant, believed to be the executioner of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, has threatened to kill again, this time a British citizen. 

You are now going to watch a Sky News interview of Prime Minister David Cameron insisting on the UK's refusal to pay hostage ransoms and the reasons why. 

James Foley (Top picture / Picture credit: cbsnews.com)
and Steven Sotloff (Photo credit: jolpress.com)

Before watching:

The following words could be useful:

an intelligent agency: a government department charged with obtaining intelligence or information   service de renseignements 

on their behalf: in the interest of...     pour leur compte / en leur nom 

to sign up to...: to approve / ratify  / adhere to     ratifier/ adhérer à

to stick to...:  to adhere to   se tenir à / adhérer à / respecter    (accord / engagement  etc.)  

to turn a blind eye to...: to refuse to see      fermer les yeux sur / ignorer 

to squeeze... out of existence: to exert pressure until something disappears    se débarrasser de / éliminer   

to go over somebody's head: to deal with ... at a higher level    passer par-dessus la tête de... 

to get a foothold: to get a firm position   s'implanter

While watching:

Complete the missing information in French:

When you are finished, you can check your answers.