Posted on 07/10/2004 2:33:46 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
Mystery Marine in Germany for Debriefing
By David Thibault
CNSNews.com Managing Editor
July 09, 2004
(CNSNews.com) - Did Islamic terrorists kidnap Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, or was the videotape showing Hassoun blindfolded and a sword hanging over his head a hoax staged by a 24-year-old wanting out of the military?
Following Hassoun's arrival Friday at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, American officials will debrief him and try to find out the truth. Hassoun came in on a C-17 transport plane from Beirut, Lebanon and was immediately taken in a green ambulance to the medical center.
Hassoun was reported missing June 20 from his military assignment near Fallujah in Iraq. A week later, Arab television showed a video of Hassoun and reported that Islamic extremists were threatening to behead the corporal.
Then he turned up in Lebanon, where the U.S. military believes Hassoun may have been kidnapped after trying to desert. The Lebanese-born Muslim "came voluntarily and remained at the embassy while embassy and Department of Defense officials worked out the arrangements for his departure," according to the U.S. embassy statement from Beirut Friday.
The Marines first said Hassoun was on "unauthorized leave" but later said he had been "captured" after the videotape was aired. Following Hassoun's arrival in Germany Friday, the Pentagon again changed his official status from "captured" to "returned to military control.""
Let me state the obvious. I think we all know what the final determination will be on this case!
I am withholding comment until the facts are known.
i feel something wrong. That person is not good.
But, but, but, his is a muslim. It is a sad day when we let people in our military, who put their religion first.
I'm beging to believe that this marine was UA and that's not a new term as I heard on the news. the media should let the Marine Corps alone and let them deal with this Marine.
Thanks. This will be interesting to find out what actually happened here.That video of him was bogus, I bet. He wasn't in the orange jumper suit
like the others, and they were beheaded.Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he wasn't beheaded. This just doesn't smell
right.
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