A statement by Michael Berg on killing of Paul Johnson Jr.

pennlive.com ^ | 6/18/2004

[LadyShallott]

AP) — A statement by Michael Berg, the father of slain businessman Nicholas Berg, on the killing of Paul M. Johnson Jr.: "We, the family of Nicholas Berg, extend our sympathies to the families of Paul M. Johnson, Robert Jacobs, Kenneth Scroggs, Bassam Salih Kubba and Kamal al-Jarah. We hope they will find the strength to endure the pain of their losses. We also extend our sympathies to all the families and friends of all the victims of this war, including United States military, other coalition military, contractors, and the 11,000-plus innocent Iraqi victims. We have been silent until now to avoid for the Johnson family any association our son's death may have had."

[WideGlide]

And just think....in a couple of thousand years you could go in there for 5 or 10 minutes without any detremental exposure to the leftover radiation. Don't forget your lead-lined diapers.

[petercooper]

Typical liberal "intellectual" who was educated beyond his intelligence.

[chiefqc]

Hey mickey, shut up you 15 minutes of fame are over. Nobody cares what you think, get on with your sneaky life.

[GraceCoolidge]

I saw something last night about a written statement... I'm sure you have probably seen/heard it by now. The themes were the love Mr. Johnson had for Saudi Arabia (he'd lived there more than ten years) and the gratitude expressed to the US and Saudi governments for their efforts. It was very understated and... I can't come up with the right word. I would say it showed generosity of spirit, that's the best antonym I can come up with for the opposite of "bitterness." No blame, no grandstanding, no arrogance. Quite a change from Mr. Berg.

[BykrBayb]

How refreshing! Actually, I didn't know. Thanks for telling me.

[GraceCoolidge]

I can't seem to find a complete copy of the statement. Here's CNN's version:

Johnson's family in the United States, including his son, daughter, brother and sister, has asked for privacy. The family issued a statement thanking everyone "for the outpouring of support they have received." The family also praised the United States and Saudi Arabia for doing "everything they possibly could to rescue Paul under very difficult circumstances."

A local station had this on their website:

The family released a statement Friday praising U.S. and Saudi authorities for efforts to rescue him.

"They knew the odds were not in the favor of law enforcement," said Joseph Billy Jr., an FBI agent who spoke on the family's behalf. "They also know that the vast majority of citizens of Saudi Arabia also grieves with them at this time."

I can't find a complete statement of what I heard... odd, given the extensive media coverage of Mr. Berg's statements, don't you think?

[section9]

I think there is only one response I can send to this disgraceful individual. I'm not sure that he will every get it, as he is too busy cravenly dishonoring the memory of his fallen son, Nick.

"Keep your piehole shut, scumbag!"

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[BykrBayb]

Odd? Yes. Surprising? No.

Thanks for sharing what you were able to find. If I come across the complete statement, I'll share it with you.

[BykrBayb]

I've Googled away, and this is the best I could find. It's from philly.com. You have to sign up (free) to read it.

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Posted on Fri, Jun. 18, 2004

Johnson family statement

Excerpts from the statement issued tonight by the Johnson family, including his mother, siblings and children, read by FBI Special Agent Joseph Billy to reporters in Galloway Township, where some family members were in seclusion.

"It's a very sad day for the Johnson family."

"They thank everyone for the outpouring of support."

"They understand the Saudis and the United States did everything they could under very difficult circumstances."

"Johnson considered Saudi Arabia his home." His death "does not represent the Saudi Arabia Paul wrote and spoke about with his family."

"This is very much an evolving investigation."

"They now hope that the investigation will continue to move forward and that justice will ultimately be served."

“They knew the odds were not in the favor of law enforcement."

“Paul considered Saudi Arabia his home. He loved the people and the country,” said Joseph Billy. “They also know this act of terrorism was committed by extremists and does not represent the Saudi Arabia that Paul often spoke and wrote about to his family.”