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08/12/2005
Foreign Secretary calls for Iraq hostage release
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has repeated calls for the release of four peace activists in Iraq, as their kidnappers announced that the deadline for their execution had been extended.
British man Norman Kember, 74, from Pinner, London, was kidnapped in Baghdad on November 26, along with Canadians James Loney, 41 and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32 and American Tom Fox, 54.
All four were peace activists, working with the Canada-based international peace group, Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Their captors, a previously unknown group calling themselves the Swords of Truth Brigade, have accused them of being spies.
They had threatened to execute the hostages today, if all detainees in Iraq were not released. However, they said the deadline would be extended until Saturday in a new video, broadcast on the al-Jazeera network.
The video also showed Mr Kember and Mr Fox, clad in orange jumpsuits, similar to those worn by detainees in the US-run Guantanamo Bay centre, and shackled in chains.
Speaking at Downing Street this morning, Mr Straw said: “I’ve repeatedly made clear the British government’s overall position in respect of this and other kidnappings.
“Norman Kember and his colleagues are campaigners for peace, dedicated to helping others. We ask for their release.
“We remain in close touch with Ms Kember and it’s hard to imagine the terrible distress that Mr Kember’s family are suffering throughout this ordeal. Our thoughts and our prayers are with them.
“As I’ve said before, if the kidnappers want to get in touch with us, we want to hear what they have to say. We have people in Iraq itself and in the region, and they are ready to hear from the kidnappers.”
Radical cleric Abu Qatada, who is in jail in the UK, also volunteered to make a video appeal on behalf of the hostages. Qatada, who has been accused of being Osama Bin Laden’s ambassador in Europe, said: “I urge my brothers, the Brigades of the Swords of Truth in Iraq, to release the hostages in line with the principle of mercy of our religion.”
(KMcA/SP)
British man Norman Kember, 74, from Pinner, London, was kidnapped in Baghdad on November 26, along with Canadians James Loney, 41 and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32 and American Tom Fox, 54.
All four were peace activists, working with the Canada-based international peace group, Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Their captors, a previously unknown group calling themselves the Swords of Truth Brigade, have accused them of being spies.
They had threatened to execute the hostages today, if all detainees in Iraq were not released. However, they said the deadline would be extended until Saturday in a new video, broadcast on the al-Jazeera network.
The video also showed Mr Kember and Mr Fox, clad in orange jumpsuits, similar to those worn by detainees in the US-run Guantanamo Bay centre, and shackled in chains.
Speaking at Downing Street this morning, Mr Straw said: “I’ve repeatedly made clear the British government’s overall position in respect of this and other kidnappings.
“Norman Kember and his colleagues are campaigners for peace, dedicated to helping others. We ask for their release.
“We remain in close touch with Ms Kember and it’s hard to imagine the terrible distress that Mr Kember’s family are suffering throughout this ordeal. Our thoughts and our prayers are with them.
“As I’ve said before, if the kidnappers want to get in touch with us, we want to hear what they have to say. We have people in Iraq itself and in the region, and they are ready to hear from the kidnappers.”
Radical cleric Abu Qatada, who is in jail in the UK, also volunteered to make a video appeal on behalf of the hostages. Qatada, who has been accused of being Osama Bin Laden’s ambassador in Europe, said: “I urge my brothers, the Brigades of the Swords of Truth in Iraq, to release the hostages in line with the principle of mercy of our religion.”
(KMcA/SP)
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05 December 2005
Iraq hostage's wife makes TV appeal
The wife of British man Norman Kember, who was kidnapped in Iraq last week, has made an appeal begging his captors to release him. In a video broadcast on Arabic television network al-Jazeera, Pat Kember described her husband as a man who believed in peace and who had only gone to Iraq to help its people.
Iraq hostage's wife makes TV appeal
The wife of British man Norman Kember, who was kidnapped in Iraq last week, has made an appeal begging his captors to release him. In a video broadcast on Arabic television network al-Jazeera, Pat Kember described her husband as a man who believed in peace and who had only gone to Iraq to help its people.
09 December 2005
Fears grow as hostage deadline looms
There have been fresh calls for the release of four peace activists, including Briton Norman Kember, being held hostage in Iraq. Moazzam Begg, a former detainee at the Guantanamo Bay centre, has urged the kidnappers to release the hostages.
Fears grow as hostage deadline looms
There have been fresh calls for the release of four peace activists, including Briton Norman Kember, being held hostage in Iraq. Moazzam Begg, a former detainee at the Guantanamo Bay centre, has urged the kidnappers to release the hostages.
01 December 2005
Anti-war campaigner intervenes in hostage crisis
A British anti-war campaigner is travelling to Iraq in an attempt to secure the release of peace activist Norman Kember. Anas Altikriti will fly to Iraq on Friday to attempt to appeal directly for the release of Mr Kember and three other hostages.
Anti-war campaigner intervenes in hostage crisis
A British anti-war campaigner is travelling to Iraq in an attempt to secure the release of peace activist Norman Kember. Anas Altikriti will fly to Iraq on Friday to attempt to appeal directly for the release of Mr Kember and three other hostages.
30 November 2005
British hostage described as 'man of peace'
The family of a British man taken hostage in Iraq have today described him as a “man of peace”. Norman Kember, 74, a retired professor from Pinner, London, was kidnapped in Baghdad on Saturday, along with two Canadians and an American.
British hostage described as 'man of peace'
The family of a British man taken hostage in Iraq have today described him as a “man of peace”. Norman Kember, 74, a retired professor from Pinner, London, was kidnapped in Baghdad on Saturday, along with two Canadians and an American.
19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
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