A video of an American civilian contractor taken hostage in Baghdad on April 10th has been aired by Al Jazeera television. The victim's name is Jeffrey Ake.
Links to video will be posted here as soon as they are available.....
Al Jazeera did not release audio of the tape. The network has come under increasing fire for its airing of hostage videos produced as propaganda.
The demand is standard for these types of videos. However, what is new is the demand for dialogue between the U.S. and insurgents.
Since there was no money demand mentioned, it also is very unlikely that those responsible for this kidnapping are financial opportunists. However, part of the deleted audio may have made a ransom demand.
Further, this is not the M.O. of the usual terrorist suspects. While I cannot say for certain, the video does not appear to show the banners of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's al Qaeda in Iraq, The Army of Ansar al-Sunna, or The Islamic Army of Iraq.
Once again insurgents capture a man in Iraq attempting to improve the standard of living in that country....
What is it a video that is so powerful? Ake has been missing since Sunday, and we have been reporting it since Monday, yet no widespread media coverage.
Another American was just kidnapped in Iraq. His name is Mohammed Monaf. No video, no coverage. It's sad.
Or what about the other American hostages being held? Roy Hallums, Dean Sadek, Tim Bell, and Bill Bradley? Or of the missing Army Spc. Keith Maupin?
Developing........
1
The best thing his family could have hoped for at this stage was for the kidnappers to NOT be Zarqawi's mob; so I guess this video is kind of good news.
I don't buy the negotiating plea though - as far as I'm concerned these types of people only ever want one of two things: money or blood.
Posted by: Martin at April 13, 2005 11:46 AM (oe5ye)
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"Could this be a further sign of the weakening of the insurgency?"
Rusty, We are slowly winning agaisnt them, but still they are strong enough that US and Iraq'i forces have not one the first front and made them fall back to the second front: operating out of small villages.
Most of your insurgancy fights can be drawn on three fronts:
1. Cities
2. Villages
3. Wilderness
Each of these can be broken down into three sub areas of guerilla/insurgancy activity:
1. Open activity - kidnappings, assasinations, extortion, and meetings held without security forces being a deterrance.
2. Closed Activity - Day or night Activity with very carefully planned day operations. Security forces can match or better the insurgents.
3. Minimal activity - Primarily night and covert activity with strong security forces capabilities limiting insurgent activity.
We have just knocked them offbalance in the cities and need to follow through in every area. I wouldnt even be planning the champaigne delivery yet but its a good sign that their activities are being severly limited.
Posted by: Salamander at April 13, 2005 11:54 AM (F26eZ)
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Yeah, but as Collin would say, what did he do to provoke this rage.
Posted by: Carlos at April 13, 2005 11:57 AM (8e/V4)
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Looks like some scumbag Iraqi employee has fingered him to a criminal kidnap gang with him being CEO and everything.
My thoughts are with him.
Posted by: frank at April 13, 2005 01:52 PM (n2sxj)
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Carlos: No, it's going to be Programmed Message #2--"The kidnappers must be brought to trial." (As opposed to Programmed Message #3, which demands some URL from Greyrooster.
Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at April 13, 2005 02:29 PM (QV5+c)
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Ey Bourbon what URL is he talking about?
Posted by: Anwar at April 13, 2005 05:42 PM (lxByx)
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Anwar
it was something Greyrooster claimed about Falluja i think but it was a while ago and colin keeps asking about it
Posted by: sparky at April 13, 2005 05:47 PM (F1nba)
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Hi Anwar,
It was a quote that Greyrooster claims I made.
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 13, 2005 06:20 PM (FV4oJ)
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As Scott McClellan alluded, the situation in Iraq is sensitive. U.S. helicopters and heavy artillery bombarded houses in al-Rummana village Seven children, six women and three old men were among the dead.
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 13, 2005 06:52 PM (FV4oJ)
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I hope Sam acts honorably and negotiates in good faith for his release.
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 13, 2005 07:29 PM (FV4oJ)
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It refers to a post that I made. The post was this.
Quote posted by Collin Baber on another blog. I then entered Collin Baber's post and the date of its/his/hers/traitors post.
In follow up I hinted that if one wished to find about the traitor Collin Baber, One could go to Dogpile.com and enter Collin Baber. This I wish to happen to open the eyes of many. Giving URL address would deny people the opportunity to find more info on this commie dog. I also hinted at Posse Incitatus as a good start. The shit sprewed by this lower than life scum should be seen and investigated by all. So investigate by yourselves. You will come up with much more than I can enter.
Ever heard the saying get them enough rope?
Here is another post by Collin Babler, March 5, 2005 12:12 AM
on another blog.
"Al-Qaeda, as portrayed, is a figment of the imagination. America needed to create a coherent organization to prosecute Mr. Bin laden under U.S. law. Hence, Al-Qaeda was born in a courtroom. Bin Laden learned that Americans were calling his group of followers "Al-Qaeda" and then accepted the name as an honor.
A tip of the iceberg.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 13, 2005 08:32 PM (CBNGy)
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Dear Greyrooster,
Your investigative journalism is deeply appreciated. Now, to the quote in question.. http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/073712.php April 1, 2005 at 8:54 AM, Mr. Greyrooster alleges that a certain person said something about Falluja. All that is being asked is that the URL of that alleged quote be posted for our sake.
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 13, 2005 08:46 PM (FV4oJ)
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I dont know who to believe here:/.
Posted by: Anwar at April 13, 2005 08:48 PM (lxByx)
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I observe that the leader of the forces of evil (Colon Babler) has recruited a dog to lick at his heels. What's the name of those little shits from the desert? You know the ones dressed in a Beka. Oh yea. Jawas. At last, we have our own real live Jawa. "AKA Anwar the syrian". Sounds sinister.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 13, 2005 08:49 PM (CBNGy)
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 13, 2005 09:12 PM (FV4oJ)
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Dear Greyrooster,
Despite numerous attempts to find the mystery URL, this person simply cannot find that Falluja quote allegedly made on November 5, 2004. Perhaps it's another "16 words"?
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 13, 2005 11:46 PM (FV4oJ)
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I think there are just some things we will never know.
Cindy
Posted by: firstbrokenangel at April 13, 2005 11:55 PM (PEKrh)
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Cindy: We will know. You should no me by now. Just keep giving a little more rope.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 14, 2005 12:16 AM (CBNGy)
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Cindy: Excuse spelling. I'm in the middle of getting shit faced. Haven't slept in two days and must force myself to go to bed now. Have to get up at five to go catch some tuna. Bye
Posted by: greyrooster at April 14, 2005 12:18 AM (CBNGy)
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First: Wierdest.Comments.Ever.
Second I tend to believe that this isn't the 'behead-a-hostage' wing of insurgents yet, and I'd be willing to bet that these jokers are looking for cash. That said, there does seem to be some evidence that hostages can get shuffled between groups after capture, and can eventually be traded up to Zarqawi.
Posted by: goldfalcon at April 14, 2005 01:38 AM (LCCTJ)
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Those Zarqawi followers must stand trial and be punished for their heinous crimes.
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 14, 2005 06:11 AM (fufbw)
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"Another American was just kidnapped in Iraq. His name is Mohammed Monaf. No video, no coverage. It's sad."
That's wrong. He was abducted with the 3 Romanian journalists. He appears in the footage from Al Jazeera. He is the in the right side of the image.
According to Romanian newspapers he is an irqian-romanian and american at the same time. He is living in Romania and apparently he is accused of big economical frauds.
Posted by: Alex at April 14, 2005 06:25 AM (DPcX4)
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"Those Zarqawi followers must stand trial and be punished for their heinous crimes."
I knew it was coming!
Anwar--Sorry I didn't get back to you in time, but I think Sparky answered the question.
Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at April 14, 2005 08:29 AM (x+5JB)
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Collin,
just curious. What's up with the pre-programmed responses. What's the point.
Posted by: Carlos at April 14, 2005 12:57 PM (8e/V4)
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I don't get it...this guy provided clean water for Iraq through his company! WTF do they intend to accomplish by kidnapping someone for the good of their country? I can see if they got an American soldier, but not innocent civilians.
Posted by: Laura at April 14, 2005 01:38 PM (L3PPO)
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They are all mad these insurgents, and their stupid religion too. They're all pretty sure they will go to hell, so they are practicing it here on earth!
Posted by: Kithuku at April 14, 2005 02:02 PM (0QyPJ)
27
Kithuku: Don't beat around the bush. How do you really feel?
Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at April 14, 2005 02:04 PM (x+5JB)
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Rooster I just want u to know that from now on anytime ur shit comes up in any of the articles and I hear u talking shit about me imma just do the exact same thing as Collin. Im going to ask for that Falluja URL
.
Posted by: Anwar at April 14, 2005 03:38 PM (7r1IC)
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Zarqawi is beyond amnesty.
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 14, 2005 07:06 PM (FV4oJ)
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Anwar: I just want you to know that you stink like all jawas.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 15, 2005 06:06 AM (7480p)
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Greyrooster,
Collin and I are still waiting for that Falluja URL..
Posted by: Anwar at April 15, 2005 02:21 PM (UlGF3)
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Greyrooster no longer speaks to filthy muslims.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 16, 2005 08:34 AM (sB5vg)
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Until we flattened their country Iraqis had plenty of clean water. I was there just befor the first time we bombed Iraq in 1989 and the country was booming. The Israelis tricked us into flattening pretty well the whole place, killing about 105,000 civillians as well as 236,000 military as well. No wonder they are a little pissed at us and will continue to fight for their freedom.
Posted by: James at April 17, 2005 12:25 AM (cYLri)
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James: It is not gay pride week. Back in the closet.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 17, 2005 09:55 PM (sqa1t)
35
kidnappings?well for god sake why do you americans insist on going to a dangerous place to earn decent money?you know the risks involved so dont go.dont forget you started this war and your occupying thier country.how would you like that?you go to iraq then you run the risk of being exacuted.about time you wake up.another thing,if you think the terrorists are losing there grip your sadly mistaken.it just means there tactics will get even more horendous
Posted by: bloodhound at April 19, 2005 08:06 PM (/RFGK)
36
I am from the area of Jeff Ake. His family has been told not to speak with the media. Same with his company. The prayer service that was scheduled to be held for him was abruptly cancelled with no reason given. Now his house is up for sale and his family was seen moving out with a police escort. What are people supposed to think? We have heard nothing more about him or his situation from the government. Did they just let him get killed and expect we would all forget?
Posted by: IndianaGirl at April 28, 2005 12:50 PM (g1fjT)
37
My heart goes out to Jeff and his family. I knew Jeff from school and I can't imagine what he and his family is going thru. No one should have to go thru this! I am keeping them all in my prayers.
Posted by: Debbie at April 29, 2005 10:36 PM (fhO0w)
38
i can answer that now.he went to iraq because he was greedy.plain and simple.sorry i certainly wont be holding a vigile for him or any other person who wants to make a fast buck.whats the point of earning all this money only not to be able to spend it because you have been tortured and beheaded????????????????
Posted by: bloodhound at May 02, 2005 12:46 AM (qO92Z)
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Today is the 5th May and I cant find any news about Jeffrey Ake which leads me to believe that he has either been topped or Bush and Co.e making a deal. I hope he lives.
One question. How come his captors are armed with US military rifles, one of them a sniper rifle???
I still am of the opinion that one has to be realy crazy to go to Iraq if one is American, British or Australian. Those govts. seem to put little value on their citizens and unlike the Turks, Russians, French, Italians and Chinese, who seem to manage to get their citizens out alive, aparently simple let them die some horrible death and use that for propagander purposes!!! Not good.
It would also be a good idea to find better quality US troops rather than use bombers and helicopter gunships. They are still killing mostly women and children which is not going to win the hearts and minds. What a mess the pentagon is making.
Posted by: James at May 04, 2005 11:00 PM (hrhSl)
40
james do you honestly think the american government will strike a deal with them?.how do you think the other hostages familys would feel about that?it would be cruel and a bloody insult.wake up man.you cant start a dialogue with these people now.its gone way past that stage.i know its not confirmed but you can pretty sure he wont come out of captivity alive.no way these people would risk there lives in capturing the so called infedel only to release them again.
Posted by: bloodhound at May 05, 2005 11:06 PM (PXfdN)
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Hello everyone. I am from Southwest Michigan, near the border of Indiana where the American Hostage, Jeffrey Ake, called home. I too was wondering what news existed of his capture, or release. After reading some posts here, I thought I might address some of the other comments.
As to American involvment in Iraq, there are those who would disagree with this policy, but I am in support of modern-day offensive which targets international criminals (aka terrorists) and holds those governments who harbor them accountable. These extreme fanaticals have no regard for the human rights of others who do not subscribe to the same religious faith and lifestyle as their own. They have made it known that they will indiscriminately kill the "infidels."
As to those brave individuals, from any country, who enter a war-torn nation to help rebuild, I say thank you. I do not care if money is an issue for them. It is an issue for most people, and some would commit illegal acts to obtain it. Yes, it is a risk to go there for profit, but it is also a necessary task, and not many would go for free.
If we do not enter these oppressed nations and root out the evil that holds the innocent hostages, raping the women, and murdering the men and children, then the problem will eventually come to us. Their fate will become our fate
To "bloodhound," it is clear that you are sadly misguided and naive. The Americans did not actually start this war. Saddam did when he invaded Kuwait, and the coalition of nations drove him out in the first Gulf War. He was given restrictions by the Untited Nations, and conditions to obey, with which he did not fully cooperate.
Lacking the complete, open disclosure, and unfettered inspections, it became the decision of our government (with other allied countries) that it was better to bring Saddam to task and ensure he was not in violation of pursuing nuclear weapons then to wait and find out after it was too late. Faulty intelligence reports matters not when it comes down to the fact that Saddam simply would not comply fully with inspections.
This might not be a popular course of action, but it is a legitimate one, and one that I support. If a convicted criminal presents a "potential" threat to me, and my family - - If they point at me and say I will kill you the frist chance I get, I will take them down and find out later if they actually had a gun on them or not. If not, then they were the fool (and the criminal) for making a threat and disobeying the law. Saddam violated international law and refused to obey the sanctions. I find no fault in calling his bluff, even if it was only a bluff. No Weapons of Mass Distruction?? - - doesn't matter after the fact. He made the mistake.
Furthermore, Bloodhound, we are not "occupying" their country. The country belongs to the Iraqi citizens. The U.S. led coalition which toppled Saddam's regime released the country back to the people. Saddam was the occupier - - the dictator. There are those followers of Saddam, and others who do not want to see the country freed, but that is their choice to oppose liberty.
Why do foriegn civilian contractors keep going to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other such countries? We are not there for the terrorists, so we do not care if they like us or not. We are there to help the "people" reclaim, and rebuild their country so that it will become a stable government who can control their own criminal element, and not remain a distant base from which international criminals can train and operate.
Bloodhound, you say that the Americans occupy their country, and ask "how would you like that?" Consider the entire question. If Hitler's German Army, or Japan had succeded in World War II, there might have been a dictator controlling American soil. If that were the case, then I would have prayed that a stronger nation invaded to remove them from power. Your question asssumes that we would not want someone to come in and take over our chosen government. That is a rediculous analogy.
Only an oppressed nation of people truly need, and deserve their freedom to be paid for by blood. The American colonists fought against this kind of oppression in 1776, and many armies from many nations tried to take this land for their own. The winners were those who gained the freedom to govern themselves. The heros were those who paid for this with their lives. We continue to hold to those truths and ideals today, even in in the stead of the weak and oppressed people of other nations.
This is my perspective.
Sincerely,
Michigan Man
Posted by: Michigan_Man at May 31, 2005 12:18 PM (n8NuY)
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You mention Hitler's Germany.Listen my friend,the allies one the war full stop.No if or butts so stop trying to make assumptions my friend.The British people were dead against the Iraq war.Did you see our election results?Blair is a very unpopular leader.If there was half a decent leader for the opposition party he wouldn't of been re-elected.I can assure you that.You mention the offensive.terrorists,human rights etc?Then why don't your government sort out Mugabe or the problems in Sudan or Congo?Why your government doesn't?Simple,they will not benfit from it like Iraq(oil)Your country has nothing to gain from it.Yet the atrocities
over there are just as bad as what Saddam did.The trouble with your country is it want to dominate the world.Every country has its day in being the global power.China are next.Look at history ie Romans,the British empire etc.No one stays up at the top forever.Trust me.Am i anti American?no
Posted by: bloodhound at June 06, 2005 12:11 PM (kIvTZ)
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To bloodhound
Not anti America, just realistic
Posted by: peace at June 14, 2005 09:34 AM (xt1Ip)
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I have a few questions first
Has anyone heard anything about Jeff Ake?
I read a news paper today that was a month old and read an article about him, and i am originally from the area.
In a sense i wish our government would negotiate with these people that kidnap and kill innocent people, but i guess its for our better interest that they didnt. After all, if they did how many U.S. citizens would be abducted, knowing that our country would cave in every time.
I imagine i would think differently if one of my family or friends was abducted. But we do need to remember to keep them in our prayers.
another question is "wasnt the U.S.people against getting involved in World War II, because it was not our war? and if they were, didnt they regret it after Pearl Harbor?
and a comment to that is I remember reading about a son-in-law to Sadaam Hussein came to America and told authorities that Sadaam had actually had plans to take over all the Middle East if the U.S. hadnt stopped him after trying to occupy Kuwait, but the son-in-law ended up going back to Iraq and was killed with in a few weeks of arriving
also according to that report that resulted in not finding any biological weapons, the report concluded that according to Sadaam Hussein "any country should be able to produce biological weapons if they have the technology." He also stated that he was going to produce the stuff once the U.N. restrictions were over
now i believe that if we had left Sadaam alone he would have produced chemical agents based on the fact that he admitted he would once the restrictions were over and i do believe he is crazy enough to use them. So we couldnt just leave him alone.
Sadaam was a thorn in the side of the U.S. and he was going to continue to be a thorn in the side of the U.S.
It is possible that President George W. Bush had a personal vendetta against Saddam Hussein because of a assassination attempt against George Bush. Shoot, if someone tried to go after my dad and I could do something about it I would to. I dont believe its all about oil, i dont remember Vietnam having much oil, or South Korea. What about the tsunami aid, i dont recall them having an over abundance of oil either. Cuba found a bunch of oil off their coast, to my knowledge we havent exactly been buddy buddy to them
what about all that oil in Alaska? I have an idea why dont we send a bunch of people to die in Iraq so we can have their oil, instead of just drilling oil in Alaska were there is an obscene amount that isnt touched because its in federal parks. To me being in Iraq based on oil just doesnt add up)Plus the money we have spent on the war, how many bilions is it.)How much oil would we have to buy at a cheaper price to break even. Assuming we could get it at a cheaper price.
Our country since the turn of the last century has helped other countries in time of need. When others are starving our country feeds them. When people have no homes our country shelters them. When people are being killed because of tyrants our country fights for them (anyone remember Slobodan Milosevic.) When other countries asks for money our country provides it to them. Yet it seems that while while one country has its hand out asking for help, their other hand is a fist behind their back ready to slug us.
To me the only ones that should be arguing whether our troops should be in Iraq are those that are in Iraq, which would be our troops and the Iraqi citizens.
I wish our troops could go home but in my opinion they cant. Half the battle was won. the old government was overthrown, and the new government is forming. But the problem now is the group of people that used to have power dont want to give it up. As i learned in my government class, power, just like energy cant be created or destroyed it can only be transfered. The problem is for some reason Sadaams fallowers dont want to give up that power?
With everything that has happened in Iraq and Afghanistan, i need to remind myself not to let hate build up because of the senseless acts of a few. Why should I hate all Muslims when it is a small faction of people who are doing the killing. To me it isnt any different than hating any race because of the negative acts of a few people in it. Every race has people that causes problems, and every nation has done things its not proud of.
Maybe in a hundred years this war may be one of the best things this country has ever done or maybe it may turn out to be another Vietnam but the only thing that can determine it is the history it will leave behind.
Posted by: Dupe at July 16, 2005 02:10 PM (3265J)
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on a lighter note the chick on the top left is hot
Posted by: Dupe at July 16, 2005 02:12 PM (3265J)
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