Posted on 12/07/2005 5:06:21 PM PST by blam
Iraq hostage deadline is extended
The peace campaigners oppose the war in Iraq
An Iraqi militant group holding four Western peace activists hostage has extended the deadline for their execution, al-Jazeera reports. The original deadline set by the group for the US to release all Iraqi detainees was extended from Thursday to Saturday, the Arab TV station said.
The four men - two Canadians, a Briton and an American - were seized last month in Baghdad.
UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has renewed calls for the men's release.
"If the kidnappers want to get in touch we want to hear what they have to say," Mr Straw added.
Briton Norman Kember, 74, Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, and American Tom Fox, 54, work for Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT).
Their captors, calling themselves the Swords of Truth, have accused the men of being spies, a charge their employers deny.
Mercy
On Thursday radical cleric jailed in the UK made an appeal for the hostages' release.
In a video filmed in prison, radical cleric Abu Qatada urged the kidnappers to free them "in line with the principle of mercy of our religion".
The UK Foreign Office said Qatada volunteered to be filmed addressing the hostage-takers - who claim to belong to a group called the Swords of Truth.
I urge my brothers in the Brigades of Swords of Right in Iraq to release them
Abu Qatada
The terror suspect said on the video: "I am your brother Abu Qatada, Omar bin Mahmud Abu Omar, who is imprisoned in Full Sutton jail in Britain.
"I urge my brothers in the Brigades of Swords of Right in Iraq to release them in line with the principle of mercy of our religion, if there was no compelling religious duty against it."
Qatada, described by a Spanish judge as al-Qaeda's ambassador in Europe, was briefly released under a control order earlier this year before being re-arrested facing deportation to Jordan.
He had originally been detained in October 2002. The authorities had been trying to track him down since December the previous year.
He has been found guilty of terrorism offences in a Jordanian court in his absence.
A friend Mr Kember, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament vice-chairman Bruce Kent, said he was optimistic that Qatada's appeal could have an effect.
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has also appealed for the hostages to be released.
Still waiting for the money from the Italians?
Yep, it's a fraud.
I would not at all be surprised if these four were in on it.
Me neither.
Well, based on the overwhelming response to these guys' kidnapping I'd say they'd be a waste of a bullet. I passed the hat locally and got fourteen cents, a couple of buttons, and some pocket lint.
I'm very suspicious of this whole "kidnapping" deal. In one way, I hope I'm right and that it's rigged between the "kidnappers" and these idiot peacenik "kidnappees," because the alternative is that the peaceniks are dead. Straw can talk all he wants about listening to the kidnappers, but the UK will be in deep doodoo with the US if they pay a ransom. Leave that to the Italians.
Yup.
I changed my mind and I'd like my pocket lint back.
The maggot, leftist "peace activist" are in about as much danger as Oprah in a vat of estrogen.
If the terrorist would just call us, we could work something out. Send us a note, drop us a line. How do we know the captors are still alive? We want to talk to them on the phone.
:o)
They can extend the deadline till hell freezes over. George Bush isnt turning anyone loose.
I agree with you. Everyone in Canada is talking about this and the Press is just pounding this story. Yet ... I have a feeling that I am being led down a path. I keep asking myself, why kidnap a bunch of people who support your ideals and hate the USA unless you are trying to con people ...
I know I am probably wrong and I should feel very sorry for these people but I keep getting this naggin feeling.
By the way 3 of our JTF2 got hurt in a battle in Hafganistan today. I would be pi$$ed at our Prime Minister if he or his liberal government gave any money to these terrorists to free the two Canadians all the while having our JTF 2 special forces and other forces fighting and risking their lives against the terrorists in the WOT.
"By the way 3 of our JTF2 got hurt in a battle in Hafganistan today."
I heard that on the news today - prayers for their speedy recovery. We're lucky to have these highly trained and skilled soldiers with us in Afghanistan.
You are assuming the terrorists are rational.
this whole thing is looking more and more like a
scam by these radical lefties and their terrorist friends .
why would these terrorists bite the hands that are feeding them cash and medical supplies ?
This reminds me of the movie "Ruthless People." The terrorists should pay the US military to take these useful idiots back. I bet they're driving the Islamonazi's nuts with their kumbaya bullshit.
Have they marked down the ransom yet?
This is very strange. I'm really starting to question the credibility of this so-called "kidnapping." Does anyone else think this is a setup?
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