Kidnapped Man Thanks Al Jazeera (only station that aired his family's appe

[Terran1212]

http://dontbomb.blogspot.com/

ppeal for Release: Christian Peacemaker Team

Earlier this week the world was shocked by the tragic kidnapping of four humanitarian workers from the Christian Peacemaker Team who were in Baghdad, Iraq. Al Jazeera broadcast a tape from an unknown group (calling themselves the "Swords of Righteousness Brigade") who identified James Loney (Canadian), Harmeet Singh Sooden (Canadian), Tom Fox (American) and Norman Kember (British) as being the hostages.

They were in Iraq for humanitarian purposes and have dedicated their lives to fighting against war. Jeremy Scahill pointed me to this petition that explains why they were in Iraq and is "Calling for the Urgent Release of Peace Activists Held in Iraq" - please head over and sign it.

This is a tragic event and we hope for their safe return. Earlier today we broadcast a live appeal with Rich Meyer, the Director of the Christian Peacemaker Team who explained why they were in Iraq and what they were trying to achieve. We are also planning to broadcast an interview that was previously played on Premier Christian Radio in the UK that was recorded on the 13 November 2005 with one of the captives, Norman Kember.

The reason I'm writing this is because these broadcasts can have a positive effect - earlier this year I was at a conference in the US when a Malaysian journalist came up to me and said "Thank you". I wasn't sure what she was referring to until she explained:

"When I was kidnapped in Iraq, AlJazeera broadcast an appeal from our government and from my family. The kidnappers saw this and it was one of the factors that contributed to my release. So I just wanted to say, thank you."

We hope tonight's broadcast leads to a similar result.

[BJW]

1. thx for posting