Sunday - August 27, 2006

Fox Reporters Freed

After two weeks, the criminal gang who kidnapped the Fox News journalists finally set them free this morning - after forcing them to make anti-West statements and convert to Islam in front of cameras ... which they will not doubt be splashing all over the media and the internet in a matter of days. This is a complete farce.

All I’ve got to say about this is - don’t give me any bulls**t about “Holy War” or “resistance fighters”. These creeps are plain and simple outlaws and thugs and they haven’t come up with a new game plan in a thousand years. They’re just pulling the same old crap their tribal Bedouin ancesters pulled for centuries. Kidnap, ransom, kill, fight over loot. They never learn.

Kidnapped Fox News Journalists Freed
_{GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Aug 27, 8:55 AM (ET)}

Militants freed two Fox News journalists on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, ending a nearly two week hostage drama in which one of the former captives said they were forced at gunpoint to make statements, including that they had converted to Islam.

Correspondent Steve Centanni, 60, of Washington, D.C., and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand, were dropped off at Gaza City’s Beach Hotel by Palestinian security officials. A tearful Centanni briefly embraced a Palestinian journalist in the lobby, then rushed upstairs with Wiig behind him.

The pair, who appeared to be in good health, then met with Palestinian officials, including Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. The three men sat in a circle of chairs at the hotel, before the journalists held a news conference, then left and crossed into Israel.

“I want to thank everybody. I am happy to be here. I hope that this never scares a single journalist away from coming to Gaza to cover the story because the Palestinian people are very beautiful and kind hearted,” Centanni told reporters. “The world needs to know more about them. Don’t be discouraged.”

Wiig also said he was worried that the kidnapping would scare off reporters. “My biggest concern really is that as a result of what happened to us foreign journalists will be discouraged from coming to tell the story and that would be a great tragedy for the people of Palestine,” Wiig said. “You guys need us on the streets, and you need people to be aware of the story.”

Wiig’s wife, Anita McNaught, thanked Palestinian officials and Fox News for their efforts in getting the men released. The men refused to take questions, then traveled to the Erez and left Gaza.

In a phone call with Fox News, Centanni said that during his capture, he was held at times face down in a dark garage, tied up in painful positions, and that he and Wiig were forced at gunpoint to make statements, including that they had converted to Islam. “I’m a little emotional because this is overwhelming, but I’m fine,” Centanni said. “I’m so happy to be freed.”

- More on the release at MyWay News ...

Posted by The Skipper     on 08/27/2006 at 10:57 AM   
Filed Under: • Middle-East •  
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It's been a long strange trip without you Skipper, but thanks for pointing us in the right direction and giving us a swift kick in the behind to get us going. Keep lookin' down on us, will ya? Thanks.

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