Three US hostages held in Iraq: officials (More are unaccounted for)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1290024.htm

US officials say about five Americans are being held hostage in Iraq and some of them have been captive for months.

"There are three we know are being held hostage and there's a handful more who are unaccounted for, some of whom might be in a hostage situation," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

A senior State Department official, who asked not to be named because the figures were not official, says two of the Americans unaccounted for had probably been kidnapped.

Officials says in some cases the Americans have been held hostage since before November.

more

[RobertSeattle]

1. It must be Bush Admin policy the keep US hostages quiet

Since many Admin officials are ex Reagan/Bush cronies they know how difficult it can be if the US public really gets wrapped up on hostages. (Reagan and arms/hostages was a direct result of Ronnie's sympathy for the Lebanon hostages)

[NNN0LHI]

4. With the Bush administration advocating using torture on prisonors...

...it is not a good idea to remind Americans that our citizens and soldiers will get the same treatment that Bush and his cadre of war criminals are using on others. That is why we have not heard about these people before.

Don

[bpilgrim]

2. and we NEVER hear of ANY POWs - n/t

peace

[paineinthearse]

3. A freeper called CSPAN today

...while the head of the ACLU was talking about the latest documents release.

The freeper blasted him, calling him a commie and all kinds of names, saying he was "aiding and abetting the enemy" blah blah blah

ACLU calmly said that by condoning and practicing torture, when US military are captured, if the US does not change its policy then torture against US soldiers is expected.

The freeper had no reply.

[VegasWolf]

5. Freepers never have a reply, at least one that is articulate. n/t

[alcuno]

6. Wasn't there an Ohio guardsman taken last spring?

Whatever happened to him? I think his first name was Jeremy.

[NNN0LHI]

8. There are 2 soldiers officially listed as captured or whereabouts unknown

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20040423-0645.html

IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DoD Announces Soldier's Captured Status
The Department of Defense announced today a change in the status of a soldier serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom from duty status - whereabouts unknown to captured.

Pfc. Keith M. Maupin, 20, of Batavia, Ohio, was declared captured on April 16.

On April 9, Maupin and Sgt. Elmer C. Krause, 40, of Greensboro, N.C., were categorized as duty status - whereabouts unknown when individuals using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire attacked their convoy. Both soldiers were assigned to the Army Reserve’s 724th Transportation Company, from Bartonville, Ill.

Krause’s status remains unchanged because his whereabouts remain unknown. Efforts continue to obtain the successful and safe return of both individuals.

Questions regarding theater operations can be directed to CENTCOM at [phone]. Change-in-status questions can be directed to Shari Lawrence, deputy public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Human Resources Command in Alexandria, Va., at [phone].

For the public affairs officer assisting Maupin’s family contact Maj. Willie Harris, 88th Regional Readiness Command, [phone].

[KC21304]

7. GWB can ask his father how that arms for hostage thing works. nt