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

Posted on 08/14/2006 10:27:48 AM PDT by 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


TOPICS: Breaking News; Israel; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2006israelwar; centanni; foxnews; gaza; israel; journalist; olafwiig; warcorrespondents; wot
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To: Semper911
Prayers going up!

Hopefully no news is good news.
721 posted on 08/19/2006 5:38:55 PM PDT by hoosiermama
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To: Semper911

Please add me to your ping list.

Along with Steve and Olaf, I am praying for Jennifer.


722 posted on 08/19/2006 5:51:27 PM PDT by Dolphy
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To: Protect the Bill of Rights

Saw it. Thanks! Made me cry. Such good and decent people. May God Bless them!!


723 posted on 08/19/2006 8:01:13 PM PDT by jackv (just shakin' my head)
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To: Semper911

Thanks!! I am so proud of Jennifer Griffin!!

God PLEASE, in the name of Jesus, as we are all praying, bring these two men to safety.
Thank you, Father. Amen


724 posted on 08/19/2006 8:06:27 PM PDT by jackv (just shakin' my head)
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To: Semper911; jackv

Maybe good news! I hope this is true!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3770793a10,00.html

McNaught told husband safe
20 August 2006
By DEIDRE MUSSEN

Kidnapped New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig is alive and well, his wife has been assured by the Palestinian president.


Broadcaster Anita McNaught met President Mahmoud Abbas late last week - one of a series of top-level meetings held in a bid to secure the release of Wiig, 36, and his fellow Fox News journalist, American Steve Centanni, 60.

Both were snatched at gunpoint on Monday in Gaza City.

Wiig's father, Reverend Roger Wiig, told the Sunday Star-Times yesterday: "She met with Abbas and was sitting on a chair right beside him when he assured her that Olaf was alive and well.

"I think he had assurances from some groups who say they know that."

Abbas also told McNaught her husband and Centanni were guests in his country and their safety was paramount.

Despite the assurances McNaught, who met her husband while they were both working for TV3 in Auckland, made a tearful televised plea yesterday for information on the whereabouts of the two kidnapped journalists.

Throughout her appeal, McNaught fought back tears and kept her hands balled in tight fists.

"If somebody knows any information, can you please tell us because I want him home so much," she said.

"He and his colleague, Steve, don't deserve this. They are good men, they are good men and they should be allowed to come home. Please let him come home. Please," McNaught said before breaking down in tears.

All major militant groups in Palestine have denied involvement in the kidnappings.

A huge diplomatic effort has been launched by New Zealand, America, the United Kingdom and Palestine to secure their release.

But Rev Wiig said fears for the journalists' safety were rising because of the length of time without contact.

McNaught, who arrived in Gaza on Wednesday, was in high-level meetings until midnight on Friday (9am yesterday NZ time), discussing the pair's plight. She is hoping to meet with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Wiig said President Abbas had stepped up security surrounding McNaught to ensure her safety, providing armed guards wherever she went.

Staff at the Fox News bureau in Gaza where she spends most of her day describe her as composed and strong although under tremendous stress.

Olaf Wiig's parents moved to London from New Zealand five years ago to be closer to their son and McNaught. They were visiting family in New Zealand when the kidnapping occurred on Monday.

"It was going to be a brief holiday but it has turned into a nightmare."

Olaf Wiig's identical twin, Sven, a Wellington art director, told his father that he intuitively felt his brother was OK.

Their sister, Kjersten, a neuroscientist in America, was finding the waiting very stressful.

"It's probably toughest on his mother and grandmother," said Roger Wiig.

Olaf Wiig was born in Cambridge and attended school in Palmerston North. He had worked in many war zones and was used to handling dangerous situations, his father said


725 posted on 08/19/2006 9:43:28 PM PDT by Protect the Bill of Rights
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To: Protect the Bill of Rights

Oh dear God, I hope with all my heart that they are alive and safe. The fact that no one has come forward or made any demands is what is most disconcerting about this.

I've been worried and concerned but can only imagine what their families and friends are going through. God be with them all.


726 posted on 08/19/2006 10:02:50 PM PDT by Miztiki (Pearland, TX)
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To: Semper911

wow

Thank you and prayers are there!


727 posted on 08/19/2006 11:47:04 PM PDT by RDTF ("We love death. The US loves life. That is the big difference between us two.” Osama Bin laden)
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To: PureSolace; rwfromkansas; lainie; af_vet_rr; CindyDawg; jackv; msmagoo54; ...
Ping to #725. Thanks to Protect the Bill of Rights for finding this.

Kidnapped New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig is alive and well, his wife has been assured by the Palestinian president.

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?

728 posted on 08/20/2006 6:19:17 AM PDT by Semper911 ("We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it." -Marge Simpson)
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To: Semper911
Does he know something, or is he just soothing a grief-stricken wife?

I asked that question myself. I have decided to put that faith the size of a mustard seed to work, Faith and prayers.

729 posted on 08/20/2006 6:29:50 AM PDT by Protect the Bill of Rights
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To: Protect the Bill of Rights

Oh this is good news. I think anyway. It may leadt to something. It at least gives hope!!
Thanks PBR!!!


730 posted on 08/20/2006 6:34:13 AM PDT by jackv (just shakin' my head)
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To: Semper911

"Olaf Wiig's identical twin, Sven, a Wellington art director, told his father that he intuitively felt his brother was OK."

That is interesting


731 posted on 08/20/2006 7:32:53 AM PDT by RDTF ("We love death. The US loves life. That is the big difference between us two.” Osama Bin laden)
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To: RDTF

Tacky alert:

Twin, he has an identical twin?
:-)


732 posted on 08/20/2006 7:49:31 AM PDT by Protect the Bill of Rights
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To: Semper911
Does he know something, or is he just soothing a grief-stricken wife?

Guess who we should hold responsible in any case.

733 posted on 08/20/2006 7:51:10 AM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: mewzilla
Guess who we should hold responsible in any case.

That would be like blaming Bush for every bad thing that happens.

Oh wait. They already do that.

734 posted on 08/20/2006 7:54:02 AM PDT by Semper911 ("We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it." -Marge Simpson)
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To: Semper911
That would be like blaming Bush for every bad thing that happens.

Not even close.

735 posted on 08/20/2006 7:56:48 AM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: PureSolace; rwfromkansas; lainie; af_vet_rr; CindyDawg; jackv; msmagoo54; ...
Ping. If you want on or off, you know what to do.

Day 7 (Sunday) Updates from mediabistro.com:

1:36 AM FNCers Kidnapped In Gaza: Centanni's Family Tapes Televised Plea

Fox News Channel's efforts to secure the release of its two kidnapped employees are increasingly taking to the airwaves. The kidnapping was mentioned eight times on Saturday.

On Studio B, correspondent Amy Kellogg added this at the end of her report: "Fox News was one of the only western television networks to retain a continuous presence in Gaza covering events there on a daily basis even when the headline-grabbing war in Lebanon was raging on."

Then on The Big Story, the cable net aired this appeal from Steve Centanni's family:

"Our brother Steve Centanni was kidnapped August 14th, last Monday. I would like his captors to know that Steve is an honorable man who always tries to do what is right. Steve has strong respect for the Palestinian people and their culture. Steve was in gaza with Olaf Wiig to report the truth. He is far more valuable to the Palestinian people free as a journalist than as a captive. We love Steve very much and now his health, his safety, and his life is your responsibility. Please contact our family, let us know that he is alive and unharmed."

Julie Banderas said the plea was airing on international television tonight. It also aired on FNC during the 7 and 8pm hours...

1:32 AM FNCers Kidnapped In Gaza: "We Feel Sure That You're Going To Be OK," Sister Says

FOXNews.com has published the statements by Steve Centanni's family. Sister Gina Centanni said, in part:

"To Steve, we want to say that we love you and that we're thinking about you every minute of every day. We're feeling lots of emotions right now but the one thing we're not feeling is despair. You are a man of courage, compassion, integrity and hope. We've taken comfort in the absolute knowledge that if anybody can hang in there in a situation like this, you can. We feel sure that you're going to be OK. See you soon."

I hesitated to post an update today because there is, well, nothing to ping about. But I guess that is news in itself.

Seven days, and nothing.

If you need to get caught up:

Day 6 Update

Day 5 Update

Day 4 Update

Day 3 Update

Day 2 Update

736 posted on 08/20/2006 6:32:12 PM PDT by Semper911 ("We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it." -Marge Simpson)
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To: Semper911

Thank you. Even if there is no news , it reminds people to keep them in their prayers.


737 posted on 08/20/2006 6:34:52 PM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: Semper911

Thank you


738 posted on 08/20/2006 6:41:25 PM PDT by RDTF ("We love death. The US loves life. That is the big difference between us two.” Osama Bin laden)
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To: Semper911

Thanks for the update. Can not believe that there is still no word.


739 posted on 08/20/2006 7:00:56 PM PDT by Irish Eyes
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To: Semper911

Prayers for Steve and Olaf. God be with them.


740 posted on 08/20/2006 8:09:48 PM PDT by Recovering_Democrat (I am SO glad to no longer be associated with the party of "dependence on government"!)
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