Two Fox News journalists kidnapped in Gaza: witness (Update: see Post #193)

Reuters ^

[slowhand520]

GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian gunmen kidnapped two foreign journalists working for the Fox News television channel in Gaza on Monday, a witness said.

The witness, a Palestinian who worked with the two journalists, said one of them, a producer, was an American, and the other, whose nationality he did not know, was a cameraman.

The Fox News bureau in Jerusalem said it was checking the report.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the abduction.

The witness said two vehicles blocked the journalist's transmission truck in the center of Gaza City and a masked man put a gun to the bodyguard's head, forcing him to the ground.

The kidnappers then sped away with the two journalists.

Similar incidents in the past in Gaza have ended with the release, usually within hours, of kidnapped foreign journalists or aid workers.

Many of the abductions were carried out by Palestinians pressing a grievance against the Palestinian government or its security forces

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

How would he know? He has denounced the kidnapping and called for release.

Does he know something, or is he just soothing a grief-stricken wife?

Best guess: he knew all along.

[Irish Eyes]

Thanks for the link. Have not seen it.

[SE Mom]

You're welcome:) Prayers for these men continue.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Kidnapped Journalist 'a Gentle Person

WASHINGTON POST

By MARCUS WOHLSEN
The Associated Press
Wednesday, August 23, 2006; 7:05 PM

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Fox News journalist being held captive by militants in the Middle East is a gentle person who shunned the spotlight in the ego-driven world of television news, while a key strength of his fellow hostage is compassion, family members and colleagues say.

Those who know the pair also say they know the resilience of the men who were shown sitting cross-legged and barefoot on the floor in a video released Wednesday by the previously unknown militant group.....
 

[Excerpted: click link above for entire article]
 

[TommyDale]

I was so glad to see them looking as good as they did on the tape. I just hope they get returned before anyone gets hurt.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Jennifer Griffin was upbeat tonight. Dennis Ross was lukewarm.

I guess Duke lax is getting a rest, LOL! Saving up our strength.

[TommyDale]

Did you enter Mad-Margaret's contest to pick the date for the Duke LAX case to be dismissed? Pick a date and ping her.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

May these men, their families, and friends be comforted during these difficult times. This entire affair is heartwrenching.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

NZ officer joins efforts to free Gaza hostages - 24 Aug 2006 - National News

ID cards for the kidnapped men. Picture / Reuters

NZ officer joins efforts to free Gaza hostages

5.25pm Thursday August 24, 2006

A senior police officer left this morning to join the New Zealand team working for the release of Olaf Wiig and Steve Centanni in Gaza, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today.

New Zealand officials in the region were continuing their "intense consultation" with Palestinian authorities and others, Miss Clark said, after being briefed on the kidnap situation.

In her first comment since reports that cameraman Wiig and his Fox News colleague had been shown in a videotape , Miss Clark welcomed the news that they were alive.

"This is the first information we have had about the two men since they were kidnapped 10 days ago," she said in a statement.

"I am pleased that they appear to be well and that they say they are being treated reasonably. Nevertheless, I remain deeply concerned for their safety."

Miss Clark said the New Zealand team was receiving good co-operation from Palestinian authorities.

"It was decided yesterday to strengthen the consular team on the ground in Israel and Gaza by sending a senior New Zealand police officer to the region," she said.

"He departed this morning. The officer, Inspector Rob Abbott, will work alongside the two Foreign Affairs staff, providing technical expertise and assisting in liaison with local law enforcement officers."

Miss Clark said Mr Abbott's appointment was not a response to the video of Wiig and Centanni.

"The decision had been made to send him before that," she said.

"Clearly this is not following the pattern of past Gaza kidnappings. We're into a situation that's at least medium-term, so we're having to think now about the kind of support and advice we can wrap around the Ministry of Foreign Affairs people.

"He won't be involved in negotiations with anybody but helping our diplomats work out how to proceed."

Miss Clark has not spoken to Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas since last week but said the authority remained extremely helpful.

"We've been very, very well supported by them and working with them remains our best hope of securing the release of these two men," she said.

"The Palestinian Authority doesn't like this happening in its territory, it wants to resolve it, and it will give us whatever help it can."

Miss Clark said New Zealand wouldn't be make any efforts to encourage any action over the kidnappers' demands.

"The New Zealand Government doesn't negotiate over such demands, so we are working with the responsible authority in Gaza to secure release and they have their security apparatus fully on this case," she said.

"We have to remain optimistic. The video sighting of them was encouraging, but there's still a way to go."

Wiig's wife Anita McNaught said she was delighted to know the men were alive.

Miss Clark said Foreign Affairs and the police were keeping in close contact with Ms McNaught and the Wiig family.

The kidnappers, from a previously unknown group calling itself the Holy Jihad Brigade, are asking for the release of all Muslim prisoners in US custody within 72 hours.

It appears unlikely that this demand will be met.

Peter Rider, the New Zealand official leading efforts to secure the release of the two men, said he understood the US had said it did not negotiate with militant groups or terrorists, and had called "very firmly" for their release.

Wiig's family said in a statement earlier today they were relived to have it confirmed that the men were alive.

They said they knew nothing about the Holy Jihad Brigade and would continue working with Palestinian authorities to work out who they were and identify who was responsible for the kidnapping.

Previous kidnappings - there have been at least seven involving foreigners since August 2005, when Israeli troops withdrew from Gaza after 38 years of occupation -- have usually ended after a few hours, or at most a few days, of captivity.
 

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

BostonHerald.com - Opinion & Editorial: Demands make it all real

Demands make it all real
By Boston Herald editorial staff
Thursday, August 24, 2006

OK, now will the media colleagues of Fox News journalists Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig take their kidnapping seriously?

Until yesterday’s release of a video of the two by their Palestinian kidnappers, the plight of these two abducted journalists has been relegated to the inside pages of most national newspapers.

Maybe it’s because they toil away on a cable network. Maybe it’s because they were kidnapped in Gaza City, while our attention has been focused mostly on Baghdad and the Israel/Lebanon border. Quite likely it’s because their captors were unknown and until yesterday made no demands. .........................

[excerpted: click link above for rest of article]
 

 

[jackv]

I keep reading and hearing that the PA is being very helpful, but have they come out and said..."We will hunt you down and prosecute you for this crime. Release them for your own good as well as theirs!!"
If not, I am not overly impressed by their "help". They should be the ones going after these criminals.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

I hear you. I am beginning to think it is the sameold story with a new twist.

This "help" is bogus and more than one person knows where they are.

TINFOIL ALERT:
Could this be a sly effortto get the sympathy and respect of us?
Palis come in to save the day like Mighty Mouse and we love them forever and ever???

[ARealMothersSonForever]

Thank you so much. Many prayers are needed for all involved.

[RDTF]

thanks for the ping -

Prayers still up

[RDTF]

ping

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3295873,00.html

Foreign journalists taken hostage in Gaza to be released Saturday, it seems

Published: 08.26.06, 16:04

Palestinian sources estimated that Saturday the affair of the two kidnapped journalists from Fox News in Gaza will come to an end. Saturday, the deadline of the 72-hour ultimatum put forth by kidnappers to the American government passes. According to the ultimatum, the American government had to release Muslim prisoners in American jails.

Despite the expiration of the ultimatum, the Palestinian Defense and Interior Ministry estimated that "the issue is being dealt with in a positive manner, such that the affair is likely to end Saturday." (Ali Waked)

[RDTF]

re above:
I posted a thread

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1690406/posts