Free Republic 4th Qtr 2024 Fundraising Target: $81,000 Receipts & Pledges to-date: $25,231
31%  
Woo hoo!! And we're now over 31%!! Thank you all very much!! God bless.

Keyword: florenceaubenas

Brevity: Headers | « Text »
  • '$45m paid to Iraq kidnappers'

    05/21/2006 10:02:43 PM PDT · by jmc1969 · 24 replies · 1,287+ views
    AFP ^ | May 22 2006
    France, Germany and Italy paid about $45 million to obtain the release of hostages kidnapped in Iraq, despite denying it in public, a British newspaper reports. Britain has not handed out any money to kidnap gangs, the paper said on Monday, basing its report on "documents seen by The Times". The list of payments has also been seen by Western diplomats, who are angered at the behaviour of the three governments. France, Italy and Germany have all publicly denied paying any ransom money. "But according to the documents, held by security officials in Baghdad who have played a crucial role...
  • French journalist freed in Iraq (Surrender Monkey Alert)

    06/12/2005 5:38:30 AM PDT · by indcons · 10 replies · 407+ views
    BBC ^ | Sunday, 12 June, 2005 | BBC
    French journalist Florence Aubenas and her Iraqi interpreter Hussein Hanoun al-Saadi have been freed after five months of captivity in Iraq. President Jacques Chirac said Ms Aubenas - who works for Liberation newspaper - was "in good health" and already on her way to France. No details have been given about Ms Aubenas, 44, and Mr Saadi's ordeal. They were seized on 5 January. French media have been running high-profile campaigns to have them freed. After the abduction in Baghdad their captors issued videotapes in which Ms Aubenas appealed to the French government for help. But there is total mystery...