Arabiya TV Airs Videotape of 'American Hostage' (engineer)

Reuters ^ | 5/6/04 | Reuters

[stlnative]

Arabiya TV Airs Videotape of 'American Hostage' Thu May 6, 2004 08:51 AM ET

DUBAI (Reuters) - Dubai-based Al Arabiya television aired on Thursday what it said was a videotape showing an American engineer working for the Pentagon held hostage in Iraq. The network said it had received the tape from a group calling itself The Islamic Rage Squadrons which said it had kidnapped the man on May 3. He was shown blindfolded with a checkered Arab scarf and wearing a jacket.

"My name is Aban Elias from Denver, Colorado," an Arabiya transcript quoted the man as saying.

"I am a civil engineer working in Baghdad...and we are working with the Pentagon... I was kidnapped and I call upon Muslim organizations to interfere to release me."

The network said a copy of the man's U.S. passport showed he had been born in Iraq. Arabiya said the kidnappers had not made any demands.

Dozens of Westerners have been kidnapped in Iraq recently. Some have been released and others

[stlnative]

Here we go again...

[stlnative]

[stlnative]

oops I cut of the last part...

Dozens of Westerners have been kidnapped in Iraq recently. Some have been released and others killed by their captors.

[Flint]

Well I demand an apology.

[stlnative]

I am sorry... (does it sound sincere?)

Here is the photo caption...

A television grab from Dubai-based Al Arabiya television shows what it says is a videotape showing an American engineer working for the Pentagon held hostage in Iraq, aired May 6, 2004. The network said it had received the tape from a group calling itself The Islamic Rage Squadrons which said it had kidnapped the man on May 3. Photo by Al Arabiya/Reuters

[Dane]

I never knew that a US passport stated in which country you were born, just that you were a citizen.

JMO, I will wait for Pentagon confirmation or confirmation from the company he is working for.

Call me skeptical but this could be a propaganda ploy, especially with the hostages Iraqi background.

[Woahhs]

Sorry. I just can't get too worked up over some hazing of the exact same people who cheer kidnapping, coerced confession, and the slaughter of defenseless hostages.

[stlnative]

exactly... it is pretty strange that he was born in iraq and being held hostage.

[bird4four4]

At least he isn't in a naked pyramid with a bag on his head. Why don't we ask Daniel Pearl his opinion about the treatment of prisoners?

[areafiftyone]

Already posted HERE

[stlnative]

sorry and thanks! I did not see it

[stlnative]

sorry this is a double post - I did not see the the first one.

[george wythe]

I never knew that a US passport stated in which country you were born, just that you were a citizen.

Open your passport and read it. It's under "Place of Birth"

I've seen passports from many countries. All of them have a "Place of Birth"

[Mo1]

Has there been any outrage from the Dems up on Captial Hill about this yet???

[george wythe]

Inside cover of an American passport

Next to Sex/Sexe/Sexo, there is Place of birth/Lieu de naissance/Lugar de nacimiento. In this sample, the Sex is M, and the Place of birth is Michigan, U.S.A.

[Dane]

Open your passport and read it. It's under "Place of Birth"

You are correct, never noticed that.

Well anyway, given the information that he is of Iraqi ethnicity, it seems strange, IMO, especially since no demands were made.

I don't feel comfortable stating my speculation on a public forum, but he could be what he says, a civil engineer or working for our intelligence or for this group. I lack all the information.

Sorry if this sounds crass, but all options have to be considered.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

There is no "Aban Elias" in any Colorado directory.

The man is wearing a Pali tablecloth.

[veronica]

OMG.

He's wearing a mask and being humiliated.

I am sure the world will express it's collective outrage.

NOT.

[TankerKC]

This is definitely going to require a congressional investigation and an apology.

[skeeter]

With arab bondage being so featured so prominently of late perhaps the insurgents are amusing themselves between gunfights by taking turns playing hostage.

Anybody heard anything about that US soldier(fm Ohio?) taken hostage a few weeks back?