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Group claims abduction of Fox News journalists
Scare quotes added for balance.
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- The previously unknown Holy Jihad Brigades claimed responsibility Wednesday for the abduction of two journalists working for Fox News in Gaza, and called for the release of Arabs from U.S. jails. Ramattan News Agency in Gaza aired a video in which the men, reporter Steve Centanni, 60, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, say they're being well-treated and plead for their release. They were kidnapped by "gunmen" in Gaza City on August 14.

In a written statement accompanying the video, the group demands the release of Arab prisoners from U.S.-run jails, citing the military facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Centanni is an American and Wiig is from New Zealand.

Centanni speaks first on the video. "We have been taken captive in Gaza and are being held prisoner here," he says, sitting cross-legged next to Wiig. "We're in fairly good condition, we're alive and well and in fairly good health. We get lots of clean water, food every day, access to the bathroom, shower, clean clothes and our captors are treating us well.

"Just want to let you know I'm here and alive and give my love to my family and friends and ask you to do anything you can to try to help us get out of here."

Wiig then speaks: "If you could apply any political pressure on the local government here in Gaza and the West Bank that would be much appreciated by Steve and myself...

"To my family: I love you all. Please don't worry, I'll do all the worrying for us."

The video then shows what appear to be the journalists' ID cards, including one that identifies Wiig as a CNN free-lancer.

Gaza's main Palestinian "militant" groups have denied any involvement in the abductions. Palestinian "security" forces have been involved in the search, a top priority for the Hamas-led Palestinian "government", Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Sunday.
Paleo sock puppets, they spring up daily.
Centanni's family has appealed for any information about his condition in a videotaped statement that aired Sunday on the Arabic-language network Al-Jazeera. "I would like his captors to know that Steve is an honorable man who always tries to do what is right," said Steve's brother Ken Centanni, who was flanked by his two sisters. "Steve has strong respect for the Palestinian people and their culture," Ken Centanni said. "Steve was in Gaza with Olaf Wiig to report the truth. He is far more valuable to the "Palestinian people" free as a journalist than as a captive.

"We love Steve very much and now his health, his safety and his life is your responsibility. Please contact our family, let us know that he is alive and unharmed."

Wiig's wife, Anita McNaught, issued an emotional statement in a recent video statement. "If somebody knows any information, can they please tell us because I want him home so much," she said. "He and his colleague, Steve, don't deserve this. They are good men. They are good men and should be allowed to come home."

According to witnesses, two vehicles blocked the journalists' television van in central Gaza. A masked man put a gun to the journalists' bodyguard and forced him to the ground before the kidnappers nabbed the men and sped away, the witnesses said.

In the past two years, Palestinian "militants" in Gaza have seized at least 26 foreigners, including nine members of the media. Hostages are usually released within hours. Generally, the "militant" groups use hostages for publicity purposes or to pressure Palestinian authorities for money, jobs or the release of prisoners.
Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-08-23
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=163818