Three Western hostages released in Iraq

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Three western aid workers held hostage in Iraq were freed, US Colonel John Snow told AFP.

The two Canadians and a Briton from the Christian Peacemaker Teams, who were abducted in November, were found west of Baghdad, he said.

He declined to say who found them or how they were released.

The three were kidnapped in Baghdad with US colleague Tom Fox, who was executed by his kidnappers earlier this month.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060323/wl_uk_afp/iraqhostagesfree;_

[Benbow]

1. They were freed in an operation by multinational forces (BBC)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4836218.stm

One British and two Canadian peace activists held hostage in Iraq have been freed in an operation by multinational forces.

<snip>

The body of murdered US citizen Tom Fox was found in Baghdad two weeks ago.

I am sorry that Tom Fox did not live to be released. However, it seems obvious that US foreign and military policy made him more of a target - imperilled his life or chances of survival - than were either the Brit or the Canadians.

[maddezmom]

2. agree with your comments about being a US citizen

might his plight more difficult. Can't believe it was only 2 weeks ago he was found...seems like ages agao. So much vilence and death everyday clouds my sense of time. :(

[tuvor]

13. Perhaps, but the Brit and Canucks were freed by allies.

No telling now what the hostage-takers plans actually were.

Oh, by the way...Thanks for freeing my countrymen, America and Britain!

[Psephos]

19. Wow, my euphemism detector and PC radar are both strobe-flashing red

These activists are lucky to be alive. But they can't quite actually say the words "rescued" and "military." Hunh. That's the opposite of courage. They may no longer be the prisoners of ideologues, but they're still prisoners of ideology.

If someone pulled my ass out of that situation - at risk to their own ass - I might forget about my politics for a few minutes and say thanks.

Peace.

[Up2Late]

3. Any word on Jill Carrol?

I'm afraid they are going to find her dead soon, it's been more than a month since we last heard from her.

[maddezmom]

4. none, I just heard Nic on CNNI say she's entered

her 76th or maybe he said 87th day of captivity and no one knows anything. :(

[TheBaldyMan]

5. Some good news but RIP Tom Fox

a brave and principled man.

[undeterred]

6. Canadian hostages in Iraq freed (CPT)

TERRY WEBER

Globe and Mail Update

Three western aid workers -- including two Canadians --kidnapped in Iraq last has year have been freed. Christian Peacemaker Teams confirmed Thursday that Torontonian James Loney and former Montrealer Harmeet Singh Sooden have been released by their captors.

"We're pretty happy about it. I think we're in a bit of shock maybe, a bit of disbelief," Donna Laframboise, sister-in-law of Mr. Loney, told the Canadian Press from Vancouver.

"We hugged each other and there were a few tears of joy." The third hostage released Thursday was Briton Norman Kember. A fourth hostage was found murdered in Baghdad earlier this month.

"Our hearts are filled with joy today as we heard that Harmeet Singh Sooden, Jim Loney and Norman Kember have been safely released in Baghdad," the group said in a statement.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060323.w5hostages0323/BNStory/International/home

[Stella_Artois]

7. They were "rescued" not released

Their group had made specific instructions that force would not be used to release them.

[ECH1969]

9. Your right they shouldn't have done the mission

[Stella_Artois]

10. Exactly

People could have been hurt or even killed.

[sg_]

8. The hostages were alone at the time....

no kidnappers were in the place they were being held at the time.

Some military person is on tv at the min doing a press conference about it.

[ECH1969]

11. Does that make using military action to free them

against their expressed wishes ok?

[INDIA]

16. Maybe they should

voluntarily go back into captivity then.

[ECH1969]

18. Of course they should go back with the insurgents

Just playing with your head the same as always.

[Bacchus39]

17. they seemed pretty happy about about don't they??

I don't hear them complaining or asking to be returned to their captors.

[daleo]

20. It means it may well not have been a rescue

Think of Private Jessica Lynch's release. I have a hunch that's what went on here.

[gratuitous]

12. Glad they're free

And it won't surprise me a bit if they return to Iraq someday.

[whatelseisnew]

14. Sounds like ransom may have been paid n/t

[Orrin_73]

15. Now its time to free the 20 million Iraqi hostages!!