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Arabia
Swiss language teacher kidnapped in Yemen
2012-03-18
[Yemen Post] A Swiss language teacher
I've always wanted to learn to speak Swiss...
was kidnapped on Thursday by gunnies in the Red city of al-Hodieda.

The English language
That's not Swiss!
teacher was moved to the southeastern province of Shabwa, an AQAP stronghold, security sources told Yemen Post on condition of anonymity.

Sources close to AQAP denied their responsibility for the incident, saying the krazed killer group had nothing to do with it.

The Swiss government confirmed the kidnapping on Friday and said it was contacting with the Yemeni authorities in order to negotiate a safe release of the Swiss hostage.

Kidnapping incidents have increased in the last ten years, with rustics resorting to abduct foreigners to force the government to release their imprisoned relatives, or blackmail it for money.

Earlier the year, a UN Norwegian worker was snatched by rustics from central province of Marib in one of the busiest streets at al-Musbahi roundabout,about two blocks away from the Presidential Palace where there is constant heavy security presence, in the Yemeni capital of Sana.

As usual, the Norwegian was freed unharmed after the rustics had struck a deal with the government, which has agreed to release some of thier prisoners.

Ahmed al-Alfi, a senior employer in the Ministry of Tourism, attributed the low revenues from the tourism sector in the country, where there is many historic, old , beautiful, and natural places to visit and enjoy, to the frequent kidnappings of westerners.

"Such incidents shows ignorance, indifference, and stupidity, as well as negligence on the part of authorities which should have raised awareness among the people of the danger and bad effects on the national economy by such reckless, uncalled for acts." He said.
Posted by:Fred

#4  #2

They're being "dry" and gaff-specific re: POTUS, KB.
Posted by: Gabby Cussworth   2012-03-18 18:54  

#3  Travel to Yemen and see quaint locals as they go about their happy lives, armed to the teeth.

Posted by: Gleath Slaviling4141   2012-03-18 16:57  

#2  "Swiss" can mean many things. Some Swiss speak Italian, others French, whilst most speak Swiss German. And, of course, a very high proportion of Swiss speak English. Almost every person in Switzerland speaks more than one language, and it is not uncommon for educated Swiss to speak fluent French, Italian, German, English and one other language of their choice. They have a pretty badass reputation, man-for-man, in the world of linguistics/foreign languages.
Posted by: Kentucky Beef   2012-03-18 10:24  

#1  I've always wanted to learn to speak Swiss...

It is quite similar to Austrian, I understand.

Personally, I've never understood why all these foreigners just don't speak English like everyone else.
Posted by: SteveS   2012-03-18 00:15  

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