March 31, 2006

Blaming the Rape Victim: Jill Carroll

Allah has a roundup of some of the reactions to the Jill Carroll video released yesterday. It's disturbing that so many are willing to begin naysaying the character of one who has been victimized for the past three months. Debbie Schlussel's post here, especially (Hat tip: Allah).

What would you say to your captors after months as a prisoner? You'd tell them exactly what they want to hear. Remember, the only video we have of Jill Carroll are two segments taped while she was still a prisoner--under a considerable amount of duress. The second video we have is one taped in the offices of The Islamic Party of Iraq--the political front for the same terrorists who had victimized her!

As I wrote to Allah earlier today:

After devoting considerable time to the subject I've become a bit more
sympathetic to the plight of hostages. Whether or not she was
anti-American to begin with is irrelevant since she was a civilian
operating in a war-zone. Her political views do not change the fact
that her captors are savages operating outside the laws of war. I
think we should give people the benefit of the doubt, especially when
they are victims.

A lot of really slutty chicks get raped, but there's no reason to
bring up that fact right after they've been victimized.

Once she's home if she starts acting like Giuliana Sgrena we'll call
her on it. Until then, my advice to the blogosphere is to have some
class.

So, let's reserve judgement on this one until she is free to speak her mind without fear of retribution.

And thanks to Allah for e-mailing me. I feel like I've finally made it.

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March 30, 2006

Terrorists Release Final Jill Carroll Hostage Video (Video / Images)


The terrorists of 'The Revenge Brigades' have released a video shot just prior to Jill Carroll's release. The Jawa Report has obtained a copy of the video. You can see the raw video here, courtesy of Bareknucklespolitics. For information on today's release of Jill Carroll, go here.

It appears that the video was shot in two sittings over a period of time. In the second portion of the video, Jill Carroll seems much less enthused about what she is saying and does not have the smile and other expressions of the first segment.

In it Jill Carroll seems more than eager to give the 'correct' answers asked by her captors. It's quite sickening some of the answers she gives, but understandable under the circumstances. But, before you accuse Jill of being a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, keep in mind that she was under duress.

For instance, Jill Carroll can be heard saying that the CIA and Americans were not as smart as the mujahidin given the fact that they were unable to rescue her. That her ordeal made it clear that the mujahidin would win the war in the end. She wants the American people to understand the mujahidin as they really are, and not the lies they hear in the media about them being terrorists, etc. The mujahidin are only trying to defend their country, etc. President bush needs to stop this war, etc.

Very scripted, very much what you would expect the terrorists wanted to hear. No word about the translator these people murdered. No word to them about stopping the war. No word about them being responsible for the misery of the civillian population.

LGF has a portion of the transcript up. more...

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American Hostage Jill Carroll Free (Updated)

American journalist Jill Carroll has been freed by her captors. This post will be updated throughout the day. Scroll through for updates.

UPDATE: Jill Carroll video interview here. Hat tip: Allah

Another update: The terrorists of 'The Revenge Brigades' have released a video shot just prior to Jill Carroll's release. You can see the raw video here. A more detailed report and images from the new Jill Carroll video is here. In it Jill Carroll seems more than eager to give the 'correct' answers asked by her captors. It's quite sickening some of the answers she gives, but understandable under the circumstances. But, before you accuse Jill of being a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, keep in mind that she was under duress.

Jill Carroll had been held hostage for nearly three months by a terrorist organization calling itself 'The Revenge Brigades'. The group killed her translator, but Carroll's driver escapted. The group had demanded the release of all female Iraqi prisoners or they would execute Carroll, but let several deadlines pass & it was never clear just how serious the threats were.

Contrary to media reports, a group calling itself 'The Revenge Brigades' had been involved in kidnappings prior to Jill Carroll. A group with the same name held an Iraqi born Christian named Minas Ibrahim al-Yusufi, who had Swedish citizenship, hostage for some months. The group initially threatened to behead him, released a hostage video, and then, like Jill Carroll, he was released unharmed. At the time, rumor was that a ransom had been paid.

This demand, along with the timing , had led to speculation that The Islamic Army in Iraq was somehow involved in Jill Carroll's kidnapping. The Islamic Army in Iraq is one of the main terror organizations in Iraq and has been involved in several high profile kidnappings and routinely murders hostages. The group has also been linked to the kidnapping of four Western activists, one of whom--American Tom Fox--was found murdered on the streets of Baghdad. The remaing three were rescued by Coalition forces.

Several videos had been released by the terror organization showing Ms. Carroll. In the first hostage video, The Revenge Brigades threatened to murder Jill Carroll. In the second hostage video, Jill Carroll seemed to be under duress and could be seen crying. In the final short video, Jill Carroll seemed to be well and in good spirits.

For more information on the Jill Carroll hostage crisis please see our archive devoted exclusively to Jill Carroll. For more information on other hostages in Iraq, please see our extensive hostage archive.

AP:


"I was treated well, but I don't know why I was kidnapped," Carroll said in a brief interview on Baghdad television.

Even though the group threatened twice to kill her in videotapes, Carroll said, "They never hit me. They never said they would hit me."

She was wearing a light green Islamic headscarf, a gray Arabic robe and looked well.

"Obviously, I want to be with my family," she could be heard to say under the Arabic voiceover.

"I'm just happy to be free. I want to be with my family.

Yesterday, Jill Carroll's twin sister had made an emotional video taped appeal for Jill's release.
The twin sister of kidnapped journalist Jill Carroll pleaded for her release on Arab television Wednesday, saying her sister is a "wonderful person" who is an "innocent woman."

Katie Carroll read a statement on Al-Arabiya, noting that there had been no word from her sister's captors in Iraq in almost two months.

"I've been living a nightmare, worrying if she is hurt or ill," Katie Carroll said, according to a transcript released by the Christian Science Monitor. "There is no one I hold closer to my heart than my sister and I am deeply worried wondering how she is being treated."

Some are speculating that Carroll's release comes because of increased efforts to free hostages by Iraqi and Coallition troops. Her release comes only a week after American troops rescued three peace activists.

Apparently, Carroll's captors turned her over to the Islamic Party office in western Baghdad. The Islamic Party is the major Sunni party in Iraq and is a Salaafist organization (wants Sharia and return of Caliphate) with links to the insurgency.

According to bRight and Early: Fox News is reporting that her father, Jim Carroll, "wants to thank the thousands who have prayed." Amen.

UPDATE:It should be remembered by all that the only statement we have from Jill Carroll was one given by her just after her release in the offices of the Islamic Party and with cameras rolling. Further, it is not necessarily "Stockholm Syndrome" to claim that captors often treat hostages well--they often do.

Now the NYT (via Bad Hair Blog) reports that one of the leaders of the Islamic party, Dr. Tariq Al-hashmi, is claiming responsibility for winning Jill Carroll's release. This is very interesting, indeed. Especially after the last few days in which many see a change in the political atmosphere in Iraq, with reports of Sunnis now seeing the Americans as allies to protect them from Shia militias and Shias--the traditional U.S. allies in Iraq--becoming suspect of the Coalition.

The Carroll family press release, notice especially:

Finally, our thoughts are with the families of others still being held hostage in Iraq, and we hope that their loved ones will soon return safely to them.
Amen. American Dean Sadek is still being held hostage in Iraq.

Another update: Natasha and Jeff Tynes are friends of Jill Carroll and Natasha has some very delightful reaction.

This post is a follow up to Mike Pechar's earlier story.

Reports just in indicate that no ransom or negotiations were made by the Christian Science Monitor, but the leader of the Islamic Party of Iraq, Tariq al- Hashimi, was somehow involved in her release. U.S. officials also deny negotiating for Jill's release.

Walid Phares asks intereesting questions, especially about the connection of the jihadis who kidnapped Jill and the Islamic Party.

President Bush reacts: "I'm really grateful she was released, and thank those who worked hard for her release, and we're glad she's alive."

More updates: Charles Johnson: Her interpreter, murdered during the kidnapping, was not available for comment. Indeed.

Committee to Protect Journalists reacts: "We are overjoyed that this ordeal has finally ended and that Jill Carroll has been returned safely," CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper said. "We continue to call for the release of other remaining captives in Iraq, and we urge armed groups to stop targeting innocent civilians."

Judy Klinghoffer speculates that ransom was involved. It would certainly not be the first time ransom was paid for a hostage. If she's right, it would only lead to more Western kidnappings and killings. However, as I hope I've made clear in the above, my suspicions are that the Islamic Party of Iraq--which has ties to the insurgency--was able to secure Jill's release as a political ploy. Both the CSM and U.S. government have denied ransom was paid, although it is not out of the question that the Islamic Party might have used money to influence the hostage-takers.

Others: Mike Pechar, Opinion Bug, Hyscience, Stop the ACLU, Outside the Beltway, Danny Carlton, Captain Ed, Clarity and Resolve, Poliblog, Politburo Diktat, Slublog, Small Dead Animals, Wizbang, Scared Monkeys, Right Winged, NTodd, Sandmonkey, Dean Esmay, bRight and Early, Lawhawk, Dan Riehl, Bad Hair Blog, Pajama Media, Boing Boing, Israellycool, Think Progress

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Hostage Jill Carroll Freed

(Baghdad) Breaking good news!

Jill Carroll has been released after being held hostage for nearly three months and is reported to be in good condition.

UPDATES: Expanded story and updates on Jill Carroll here.

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March 27, 2006

Two American & One British Hostage Released in Nigeria

Good News! Xinhua:

hree Western oil workers, including two Americans and a Briton, were released on Monday after being held in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta for more than one month, but their captors immediately threatened more attacks on oil facilities.

"They were released to the state government at about 3:20 a.m. (0220 GMT) this morning," Abel Oshevire, spokesman for the Delta state government told Xinhua by telephone. "They are all in good health and with (Royal Dutch) Shell officials, their employer." ...

Oshevire said the government had assured the Ijaw militants belonging to Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta MEND)that they would not be attacked by the Nigerian army after the release.

"There were no conditions. They yielded to the governor plea to allow peace to prevail," he added.

The MEND confirmed the release in an e-mail to Xinhua. "No deal was reached. It was done at the instance of the communities which invited us," said Jomo Gbomo, a self-described spokesman for the militants, in the e-mail. "These communities are satisfied that they will be no longer attacked by the Nigerian military."

Thanks to George.

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March 23, 2006

Western Hostages Rescued by Coalition Forces (UPDATED)

A great day for those of us following hostages in Iraq closely!! Three peace activists from the Christian Peacemakers Team held hostage in Iraq have been freed by Coalition Forces. Ironically, the CPT activists were in Iraq to document alleged human rights abuses by U.S. mililtary forces. The three rescued are Canadians James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden, and Briton Norman Kember.

Scroll down for updates.

American Tom Fox was found murdered on the streets of Baghdad last week by those the CPT claimed were simply 'insurgents' and who the CPT clearly believed were responding to Western aggression.

We are very happy to learn that at least three of the four hostages have been released and wish to congratulate our soldiers who took part in the raid. A job well done.

The Jawa Report's complete archives about these four hostages can be found here. For information about the other hostages still held in Iraq, including American Dean Sadek, please see our extensive hostage archives.

The CPT is a Leftist organization which claims to be pacifist and 'Christian,' but which focuses all of its efforts against Western governments. The four 'peacemakers' were taken hostage near the same mosque where Giuliana Sgrena had been abducted. Also, like the communist newspaper writer, the four activists were at the mosque to interview persons displaced by the Fallujah offensive and to document various 'war crimes' committed by U.S. troops.

Today, the CPT insulted the U.S. and other Coalition troops who daringly rescued the three peace activists by releasing this announcement. In it they compare the taking of hostages and their subsequent murders to Coalition Forces who detain suspected terrorists:

Harmeet, Jim and Norman and Tom were in Iraq to learn of the struggles facing the people in that country. They went, motivated by a passion for justice and peace to live out a nonviolent alternative in a nation wracked by armed conflict. They knew that their only protection was in the power of the love of God and of their Iraqi and international co-workers. We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by Multinational Forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq. The occupation must end.

Today, in the face of this joyful news, our faith compels us to love our enemies even when they have committed acts which caused great hardship to our friends and sorrow to their families. In the spirit of the prophetic nonviolence that motivated Jim, Norman, Harmeet and Tom to go to Iraq, we refuse to yield to a spirit of vengeance. We give thanks for the compassionate God who granted our friends courage and who sustained their spirits over the past months. We pray for strength and courage for ourselves so that, together, we can continue the nonviolent struggle for justice and peace.

Throughout these difficult months, we have been heartened by messages of concern for our four colleagues from all over the world. We have been especially moved by the gracious outpouring of support from Muslim brothers and sisters in the Middle East, Europe, and North America. That support continues to come to us day after day. We pray that Christians throughout the world will, in the same spirit, call for justice and for respect for the human rights of the thousands of Iraqis who are being detained illegally by the U.S. and British forces occupying Iraq.

During these past months, we have tasted of the pain that has been the daily bread of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. Why have our loved ones been taken? Where are they being held? Under what conditions? How are they? Will they be released? When?

The four hostages were abducted by a group calling themselves The Swords of Righteousness Brigade. However, as first revealed on The Jawa Report, the group has been linked to the Islamic Army in Iraq and is probably a brigade or front for the well known Islamist terror organization. The Jawa Report was also the first U.S. media outlet to release the names of the four hostages.

NY Times story about the raid:

The delegation coordinator for the group, Claire Evans, said by telephone that Mr. Loney, a 41-year-old Canadian, had contacted his family this morning from the Green Zone, the fortified compound in Baghdad where some American military forces, Iraqi government offices and the American Embassy are located.

"He said that they were all in reasonable health," she said, adding that the three men were undergoing medical checks.

The men were freed by multinational forces in a military operation.

The hostages were found when American-led forces raided a house in western Baghdad, acting on information from one of two detainees interrogated late Wednesday night, Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, a spokesman for the American military, said at a news conference in Baghdad. The kidnappers were not in the house. The men were in "relatively good condition," he said.

In London, the British foreign secretary, Jack Straw, said the mission had included British forces.

"It follows weeks and weeks of very careful work by military and coalition personnel in Iraq and many civilians as well," Mr. Straw said, adding that it involved a number of countries, including Canadian personnel.

Mr. Straw said that Mr. Kember was in "reasonable" condition and that the two Canadians had to have hospital treatment. He said he had spoken with Mr. Kember's wife. "Of course, it goes without saying that she is absolutely delighted, elated, with this news," Mr. Straw said.

The Loney family released a statement today saying that Mr. Loney had been released unharmed with his two companions.

"What a joyful day this is," the family's statement said. "We have just learned that James is coming home." The statement also expressed sympathy for Mr. Fox's family.

This post will be updated throughout the day as more information on the raid that freed these hostages becomes available. Traderrob's earlier breaking story is here and Vinnie's here.

Thank you for the dozens of people who e-mailed tips about this to us.

It would do well for us all to remember that the statements downplaying the hostages' rescue are coming from the CPT, and not from the hostages themselves. I have a feeling that the hostages, who were so critical of the U.S. and so praising of terrorists in the past, will have a different take now. The murder of Tom Fox is a good indication they weren't treated quite as well as Giuliana Sgrena.

Update: No Pasaran notices this from a British peace activist on the BBC:

Of course I would like to thank the Foreign Office and, ,b>if it was the military that helped free him, then them too. But the Muslim community has really behaved in a wonderful way.
Yes, Muslims have been so helpful....oh, and the military if it was indeed the military that rescued these guys. Nudge nudge, wink wink.

And via Small Dead Animals we are pointed to this from Relapsed Catholic who notices this little nugget:

In reaction Kember's friend, Bruce Kent (...) said the miltants holding the hostages 'must have been people of great faith.'
Indeed. They took the example of early associates of Muhammed who also practiced hostage taking and which tradition tells us the Prophet (PBUH) approved of. That's one fine & peaceful religion you got there.

12:30 Update: The Left (see for instance Body and Soul or A Lovely Promise) is already talking as if their release was negotiated. The implication being that it wasn't the military that should get the credit but, instead, diplomacy. However, had the Left removed their tinfoil long enough they would have realized that tips from detainees led to their rescue and that finding hostages alone is not necessarily uncommon. For instance, Roy Hallums was released in a similar manner. A tip led to our troops finding him and when the troops got their his captors had fled. Knowing cousin Achmed just got captured and then hearing the sounds of helicopters and the approach of an Abrams tank might be enough to send even the bravest of terrorists fleeing.

UPDATE 12:45: Families react

Ed Loney said his freed brother "sounded fantastic" when he telephoned their mother in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario - and had apologised for putting the family through such an ordeal.

"He told them that he was well and that he was concerned about us and the family and other people who were worried, which is pretty typical of Jim, to put others first," he said.

His parents issued a short statement saying: "What a joyful day this is. We have just learned that James is coming home... We would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers." ...

Mr Sooden's father, Dalip Singh Sooden, said he had talked to his son.

"It's like it's unbelievable. I just don't remember what I said to him and what he said to me," he said.

"I've seen him on video and he looked like he's probably lost 10kg or something, but it was traumatic today, it was good. I still can't believe it."

Mark Brewer, the brother-in-law of Mr Sooden, said from his home in Auckland, New Zealand, that relatives were planning to go to Baghdad to bring him home.

"We're just looking forward to getting hold of him, giving him a big hug and bringing him back home to his family," Mr Brewer said.

He told TV One News in New Zealand the ordeal had been "excruciating", particularly since the death of Mr Fox.

And for the hate the military crowd, more information on the rescue. It was intelligence work that led to their release, not negotiations. Reuters:
Weeks of intelligence work in lawless west Baghdad and a rapid response by special forces to information extracted from a prisoner led to British troops' rescue of three Christian peace activists in Baghdad on Thursday.

British and U.S. officials were reluctant to give details of the release of Canadians Harmeet Sooden and Jim Loney and Briton Norman Kember, not wishing to jeopardize efforts to free several other hostages believed still held around the capital.

"It was part of ongoing operations related to hostages," said British military spokesman Wing Commander Tony Radcliffe....

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said: "It follows weeks and weeks of very careful work by military Coalition personnel in Iraq and many civilians as well."

That suggested that the arrest of the man who provided the final tip was the product of detective work rather than chance.

Special police teams, apparently from Britain and possibly Canada, had been working on the ground since the four men were seized in west Baghdad on November 26, British officials said, stressing the role civilians played in the process.

The following part of the story sounds very smilar to the rescue of our friend Roy Hallums:
The dawn raid that found the three hostages tied up and unguarded in a house was led by British troops and involved others from the U.S.-led Coalition, officials said.

They were acting on intelligence obtained three hours earlier from one of two people arrested the night before.

Though not a shot was fired, it is likely the operation was led by special forces ready to quell resistance and, especially, get the captives out unharmed after four months in captivity: "It was a fairly clinical extraction," Radcliffe said.

Great job troops and any police officers involved!

Update 1:00 P.M.: More from CNN:

Iraqi police Lt. Col. Falah al-Mohammedawi said it was believed the operation took place in Mishahda, 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Baghdad, AP reported.
And from the Independent:
Maj Gen Lynch told reporters in Baghdad: "Late last night, coalition forces conducted an operation and it came up with two detainees.

"These two detainees provided actionable intelligence about the location of the Christian Peacemaker Team hostages.

"We got that information at eight o'clock this morning and we conducted the operation.

"We moved to the location in western Baghdad that was reported for the location of the Christian Peacemaker Team.

"We conducted an assault on the house and inside the house we found the three hostages, in good condition.

"There were no kidnappers there at the time. The three hostages were by themselves."

The hostages were then freed, debriefed and taken to a hospital for medical checks.

"The key point is it was intelligence-led. It was information provided by a detainee," he said.

"In this particular case, of those two detainees, one knew where the hostages were and provided that information.

"The operation was planned and executed and the effect was the safe return of the three hostages."

"There seems to be a kidnapping cell that has been robust over the last several months in conducting these kind of kidnappings.

"It was a coalition forces operation so it involved all sorts of members of the coalition.

"The size and magnitude of the operation I'm not going to walk you through, because we have got other operations that continue."...

The early morning operation took place in a rural area north west of Baghdad, between the towns of Mishahda, 20 miles north of Baghdad, and the western suburb of Abu Ghraib, 12 miles from the city centre.

Update 1:15: Interesting. Canadian troops are in Iraq. This will come as quite a shock to most Canadians.
"The operation included representatives from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, other agencies from Canada – and they did a terrific job – as well as the Americans and British staff and those from Iraq," said Straw....

Canadian military personnel were involved in the operation, according to Pentagon sources, but it's not clear how many took part or what their role was. There have been reports that members of Canada's top secret commando unit, Joint Task Force 2, have been working in Iraq.

Update 5:00: Via Beth (ps--thanks for sending your troll over Beth....), here is some more from a DOD press release. It mentions that the rescue was in downtown Baghdad.

Also:

Three members of a group of Christian peace activists have been released from a hospital, where they were taken after their rescue by U.S. and British forces in Iraq today.
Good to know the trio are alright. more...

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Troops free three Western hostages in Iraq

Once again coalition soldiers risk their lives to rescue those who would spit on them.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. and British troops Thursday freed three Christian peace activists in rural Iraq without firing a shot, ending a four-month hostage drama in which an American among the group was shot to death and dumped on a Baghdad street.

Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, the U.S. military spokesman, said the hostages were being held by a “kidnapping cell,” and the operation to free the captives was based on information from a man captured by U.S. forces only three hours earlier.

Read rest and a statement by Christian Peacemaker Teams, it's unbelievable.

Updates posted here: Western Hostages Rescued by Coalition Forces

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CPT Hostages Rescued

By US and Brit Special Forces.

Now that they've been rescued unharmed, I feel no reason to have any more sympathy for them, the ungrateful bastards.

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UPDATE: backtiming this because traderrob scooped me and should get the top billing and all the nice comments.

Updates posted here: Western Hostages Rescued by Coalition Forces

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March 10, 2006

American CPT Hostage Tom Fox Murdered


Tom was not seen in a video from the 'Swords of Righteousness Brigade' released March Seventh by Al-Jazeera. Today the FBI says that Tom was murdered.

Yahoo News :The FBI verified that a body found in Iraq Friday morning was that of Tom Fox, 54, of Clear Brook, Va., spokesman Noel Clay said. He said he had no information on the other three hostages.

Clay said he did not know how Fox was killed but said additional forensics will be done in the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is investigating, he said.

Fox's family has been notified, Clay said, and "our heartfelt condolences go out to them."

Yes what kind of group could possibly murder in cold blood a good peaceful Christian like this. He never hurt a fly. These terrorists cannot appeased or reasoned with. They have no respect for the kindness Tom surely showed the people of Iraq. May he rest in peace and may God keep him always. Again we must call for the release of all the remaining hostages.

Full details on the CPT hostages here

Jawa Report archives on all hostages in general here.

Rather sad Hat Tip : Jesusland Carlos and George Ramos.

Update : Tom was Tortured before his Murder.

Yahoo News : Interior Ministry Lt. Col. Falah al-Mohammedawi said Fox was found with his hands tied and gunshot wounds to his head and chest. There were cuts on his body and bruises on his head, indicating torture, he said. The corpse was dressed in Iraqi-made clothing.

Fox's body was found near a railway line in Dawoudi, a mixed Sunni-Shiite area that has been largely shielded from violence. Shocked local residents on Saturday condemned Fox's abduction and killing.

"These acts are terrorist ones and will hinder the political process and distort the reputation of Iraq," said Dhamir al-Samaraie, who had come to see where Fox was found.

So they Cut, Beat and Murdered an old man. That ought to please Allah.


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March 07, 2006

New Christian Peacemakers Hostage Video


102 days into their captivity, a video has been broadcast by al Jazeera showing three of four activists held hostage in Iraq. Not shown in the video is American Tom Fox.

The video (no sound) can be seen here.

The video shows Canadians James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden, and Briton Norman Kember sitting on chairs. Although no audio was broadcast, al Jazeera reports that the three plead for their governments to help secure their release. The three also ask that Gulf States help them--a less than cryptic message asking for a ransom.

This video is the first in which such a request is made and confirms speculation that 'The Swords of Righteousness Brigade' is after money. The group has been linked to the Islamic Army in Iraq. It is not uncommon in Iraq for 'insurgents' to use ransoms paid for hostages to fund their terroristic activities.

It is not clear what significance, if any exists, there is to the fact that the sole American is not shown on the video. We hope and pray that he remains in good health.

As always, the Left-wing 'Christian' group used the opportunity to highlight their political agenda. In a press statement, the CPT attempted to highlight 'abuses' by the Multinational forces in Iraq. Further, they claim that the 'root cause' of the hostage taking "is the U.S. and British-led invasion and occupation of Iraq."

It's sad and disgusting that supposed 'Christians' would attempt to find fault with those who are trying to rescue the four hostages, rather than with those who are holding them.

We call for the immediate and unconditional release of the four hostages. Those who are holding them bear 100% of the responsibility for this depraved and barbaric act.

For more information on this see our extensive Christian Peacemakers hostage archives. For general information on hostage taking in Iraq see our Religion of Peace hostage archives.

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March 06, 2006

Christian Peacemakers: 100 Days in Captivity & Still No Word

Yesterday marked the 100th day of captivity for Norman Kember, 74, of England; Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32; and American Tom Fox, 54. The four pacifists are being held by terrorists linked to the Islamic Army in Iraq.

It is sad that Left wing organizations continue to use the hostage situation for their own political goals.

We pray for their immediate and unconditional release.

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March 01, 2006

Hostages Heart Their Captors

Misleading headline of the day. CNN, who else?

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American Hostage Freed in Nigeria, Two More Remain in Captivity

Mixed news from Nigeria. American Macon Hawkins has been freed, but Cody Oswald and Russel Spell are still being held by the Ijaw rebels. Also held hostage are Briton John Hudspith, Egypt's Bardese Mohammed and Aly Shady, Tony Santos of the Philippines and Thailand's Muado Somsak and Arak Suwana.

We urge their immediate and unconditional release. Thanks to George for the tip. AFP:

Nigerian separatist guerrillas released six of their nine foreign hostages but warned that they would step up attacks aimed at shutting down the country's oil industry.

The militants also stated they would not hand over the remaining captives -- two Americans and a Briton -- until two ethnic Ijaw leaders are freed from jail and the oil giant Shell makes a hefty payout to polluted villages.

Officials confirmed that Macon Hawkins, a 69-year-old Texan suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, had been freed.

Meanwhile, an AFP reporter saw five more freed oil workers arriving at Delta State Governor James Ibori's lodge in the oil city of Warri and navy spokesman Captain Obiara Medani said that a total of six men had been freed.

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Claim: Islamic Army in Iraq holds Jill Carroll

The Iraqi Interior Minister has claimed that the Islamic Army in Iraq is holding Jill Carroll, and that she is alive and well. This is a very odd claim. Some of you may remember that we were the first media outlet to reveal that the Islamic Army in Iraq was behind the kidnapping of four Western peacekeepers--still missing.

In any event, we pray for Jill Carroll's immediate release.

NY Sun:

American reporter Jill Carroll is being held by the Islamic Army in Iraq, the insurgent group that freed two French journalists in 2004 after four months in captivity, Iraq's Interior Minister said yesterday.

Interior Minister Bayan Jabr, who is in charge of Iraq's police, also said he believed the 28-year-old freelance reporter for the Christian Science Monitor is still alive, although the deadline set by her captors for America to meet their demands expired Sunday.

Three videotapes provided by the kidnappers to Arab satellite television stations identified the group holding her as the previously unknown "Revenge Brigades." She was seized January 7 in Baghdad and her translator was killed.

However, Mr. Jabr told Iraqi television that he believes Ms. Carroll is being held by the Islamic Army in Iraq, one of the country's principal insurgent groups.

Mr. Jabr said the same group was responsible for kidnapping his sister, who was seized about four days before Ms. Carroll and freed about two weeks later.

"The kidnapping of the American journalist, Jill Carroll, occurred about the same time as the abduction of my sister," he said. "I was equally keen to get both of them released. I recognized that the Islamic army was responsible for both plots."

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