Posted on 12/09/2005 1:51:31 PM PST by Lorianne
An Iraqi insurgent group said it killed a kidnapped U.S. security consultant Thursday, making the claim through an Internet posting.
The posting surfaced on an Islamic militant Web forum. The group, calling itself the Islamic Army, said it will release images of the killing at a later time. It did not identify the hostage, although in an earlier statement named him as Ronald Alan Schulz.
The White House has not confirmed the claim, nor has it confirmed the hostage's name.
"Any time there is an American that is taken hostage it is a priority for the administration, and their safe return is a priority for the administration," White House press secretary Scott McClellan told The Associated Press.
In the posting, the insurgents said the apparent killing was in retaliation for U.S. President George Bush's refusal to negotiate with the group.
"The war criminal Bush continues his arrogance, giving no value to people's lives unless they serve his criminal, aggressive ways," the posting reads. "Since his reply (to the demands) was irresponsible, he bears the consequences of his stance.
"Therefore the American security consultant for the Housing Ministry was killed after the end of the deadline set to respond to the Islamic Army's demands."
Bush has often said he will not pay ransom for hostages. On Tuesday, he told reporters he would instead use "intelligence-gathering to see if we can't help locate them."
An American, Tom Fox, is also being held hostage by the Swords of Righteousness, the same group that is holding Canadians James Loney and Harmeet Sooden, along with Briton Norman Kember.
All four hostages are part of the humanitarian group Christian Peacemaker Teams.
The Swords of Righteousness has set a Saturday deadline, threatening to kill the four humanitarian workers if its demands are not met. It was originally set for Thursday.
In total, seven Westerners have been abducted in Iraq since Nov. 25.
Islamic Army?
I do think we should negotiate with these guys--long enough to get them in our gunsights.
Army of one nut!
It's about time they unveiled themselves...
Idiots...It's official United States policy to not negotiate for hostages...if a country negotiates for their kidnapped citizens it will create a market for kidnappings...supply and demand.
sigh......
According to a message from Olive Tree Ministries I receive via e-mail:
"...Ron Schultz is being held hostage by Islamofascists in Iraq. His family appealed to me for prayer and hence this report.
Ron is from the heartland of America, my neck of the woods, the Upper Midwest. He is forty years old. He is a son and a brother but has never married. He is not a part of the "peace hostages" who actually have a sentiment that sides with the enemy as does most of the Left. Ron is a former Marine and he is a Christian. His family supports this ministry and I am appealing to you to pray for Ron Schultz. If you haven't heard the shaking voice of a family member under these circumstances, you haven't heard real terror. And yet they are clinging to the Hand of the Lord. Their home church in North Dakota is having a prayer vigil. But hostages, short of a miracle, face a questionable future."
Really sad.
Sad indeed. But I believe in Karma.
If he were indeed murdered, those responsible will be punished.
Believe that.
Urgent prayers for Ron and his family.
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