Posted on 08/26/2006 4:34:21 PM PDT by freespirited
The kidnappers of the two Fox News journalists abducted in Gaza City on August 14 have promised to release them unharmed, Palestinian Authority officials said on Saturday night.
According to the officials, the PA has managed to establish contact with the kidnappers, who promised to resolve the affair peacefully.
PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said he had personally received assurances from the kidnappers that the two, reporter Steve Centanni, from the US, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, from New Zealand, would be released unharmed and unconditionally.
PA Interior Minister Said Siam, who is in charge of part of the PA security forces, announced that significant progress had been achieved in efforts to secure the release of the men.
"There are encouraging indications that the two will be released soon," he said, refusing to elaborate.
Ghazi Hamad, a spokesman for the Hamas-controlled PA government, also said that he was "very encouraged" that the two would be released soon. "I believe they will be released soon because of a breakthrough in the negotiations with the kidnappers," he said.
A previously unknown group calling itself the Holy Jihad Brigades claimed responsibility last week for the abduction and issued a three-day ultimatum to the US to release all Muslim prisoners held in America.
However, Hamas officials told The Jerusalem Post that the kidnappers belonged to one of the armed wings of PA President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party.
The deadline set by the kidnappers passed midday Saturday.
Haniyeh was quoted shortly afterward as voicing optimism on the issue. "There is progress regarding the case of the kidnapped journalists," he said. "There are also promises that they won't be harmed."
I absolutely LOVED Gulfport. I stayed overnight two weeks before Katrina hit and have not been back. It was a boom town, and I loved the place. Nice airport... nice everything. In fact, at the time, I was sorry we bought in Vicksburg. I'm a smart one, huh?
Yeah it'd be nice but when was the last time that we read a story about the Paleo's promising to do something and the next story was that they actually did it. I'd rather be wrong than right, but I say don't look for them for another two weeks.
Thanks, Jem....Praying it is so.
So what now, are we suppose to thank the terrorists if they are released? Perhaps CNN will do another shameless puff piece about them as they did with Osammy.
If they really are going to release them, then what are they waiting for?
Keep right on praying. We cannot let up now.
Having computer issues, not posting much but checking in.
Thank for keeping me in mind!
Nothing is too difficult for You. Please set them free. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
I think the whole idea here is to put a positive shine on Hamas. Hamas will claim to have negotiated the journalist's release. Unfortunately for Hamas, I think the mainstream media would rather see Fox journalists die than be released. Hamas's minions would have been smarter to kidnap CNN or NYT types.
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