Posted on 12/28/2005 6:23:24 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
AN Iraqi rebel group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of French engineer Bernard Planche, threatening to kill him if France did not "end its illegitimate presence in Iraq" in a video broadcast by Al-Arabiya television.
The group, calling itself the "Batallion of the Look-out for Iraq", claimed the kidnapping and "threatened to kill him if France does not end its illegitimate presence in Iraq," said the channel's presenter.
The Dubai-based channel showed a black-and-white video bearing the group's logo and showing a man with a moustache wearing a dark polo shirt along with two gunmen stood behind him.
The Dubai-based channel showed a black-and-white video bearing the group's logo and showing a man with a moustache on his knees and wearing a dark polo shirt with two gunmen stood behind him.
His hands appeared to be secured behind his back.
"My name is Bernard, I'm 52 years old. I'm French, from Lyons," the man said in English, looking down, apparently reading from a text.
"I have worked in the humanitarian sphere as an hydraulic engineer for two years," said a translation of his words read by Al-Arabiya.
"I'm sorry for the problems I have caused for those who tried to help me. Thanks to all those who want to help me. I thank my family and offer them my apologies for the problems I have caused them," the translation continued.
Mr Planche was seized on December 5 from his home in an upmarket Baghdad neighbourhood.
Neighbours said that he lived alone and without guards in a large house.
The French embassy was aware of Mr Planche's presence in Iraq although "worried since some time because he was not taking the necessary measures," a French diplomatic source in Baghdad said following his kidnapping.
He was in Iraq working for a little known non-governmental group called AACCESS, as a mechanical engineer specialising in water distribution systems.
Since August 2004 three other French citizens, all journalists, have been kidnapped in two separate incidents by armed groups in Iraq. All three were released after months in captivity following high-profile campaigns for their freedom in France and rumours of ransom payments.
WTF? If the bloody Frogs had their way, Saddam would still be running the show!
These terrorists are obviously smoking some pretty bad stuff...
SCREW THE FROGS!!!
WTF???
Translation: "I am a whiny little bastard, who just wants to be kidnapped or killed to give my life some meaning".
Whooo, that will scare the pooo out of the Froggys.
If the poo is scared out of them, what would be left?
Was it Reefer Madness?!!
Where in this article are drugs mentioned?
In the made-up headline, of course.
Appeasement Does Not Work!
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