French journalists "released"

[Stockholm]

According to a statement on a islamistic website (Islamic Army in Iraq), the two french journalists Georges Malbrunot (Le Figaro) and Christian Chesnot (Radio France Internationale) has been "released".

In the statement the kidnappers state "We entered into an agreement with the journalists about covering our struggles against the occupation for a period of time".

Developing

http://www.expressen.se/index.jsp?a=185874 (arabic speaking journalist reports)

[Laughing Mirror]

1. Nothing in French press yet

In Le Monde, Figaro, Libération, or Radio France Internationale.

La France reste prudent!

[Stockholm]

3. Update

Translation from update:

In their statement the kidnappers claim that both as of now are free men but are currently working "for" the Islamic army in Iraq.

- They are covering our military attacks against the occupation force. When the finish with their jobs they will go public to the world and give an accurate picture of the Iraqi resistance.

snip

The kidnappers explains the decision of the release with France agreeing not to help the current Iraqi army with military training or war material. However the Syrian driver of the journalists Mr. Mohammed al-Goundi is not being released.

- He will be put before an Islamic tribunal. We have not yet made any decisions, but he will be punished since he is a spy, writes the kidnappers.

End

[Laughing Mirror]

4. Thanks for the update

The kidnappers' terse statement at least tells us who the journalists are working for now. Otherwise, their job description, "to give an accurate picture of the Iraqi resistance," should have always been their goal, no matter who their employers are.

[Stockholm]

5. hmmm

The Swedish journalist replied to me that the letter seems authentic but he did not want to give out the address of the website but "are sure both Le Figaro and RFI will headline with this as soon as they have read the letter".

Well, I guess we will have to wait for confirmation from other news outlets until we are sure.

[KansDem]

2. I thought this sounded familiar...

We entered into an agreement with the journalists about covering our struggles against the occupation for a period of time

Wasn't this pretty much the same statement made by the GOP after Walter Iassacson went groveling to them about how to "cover" them in the news?

(just substitute "journalists" with "CNN CEO")

http://www.democraticunderground.com/top10/01/top10_2001_32.html