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10.11 update. ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Statement: "We are studying the video very carefully. We have been working very closely with Alan's family for the past 81 days. This is a highly distressing time for them and for his friends and his colleagues. We repeat our call for his immediate release."
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At last, something concrete. Let's hope it leads to his eventual release. Worth noting that this is the group who are reputed to be holding Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. So don't expect anything soon.
Much as I'm sure we'd all like it to.
Si.
Is this the full tape though - At the end there is no mention or message to his family?
Its so good to see him at long last, but I bet the 'script' stuck like a craw in his throat.....God, the agonies he is going through for our politicians...I hope Blair and Bush have a conscience and can read between the lines...but I doubt it...
I hope Blair and Bush have a conscience and can read between the lines...but I doubt it...
Cheap shot imo, DIY.
Alan Johnston doesn't normally errr and ummm so I'm thinking that's where he didn't believe what he was saying.
But over all the tape is more upbeat than I was expecting.
I have everything crossed now.
Fifi
Why did they go through all the rigmarole of abducting a particular ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ journalist ?
There are several who would have spread the
anti west propaganda quite willingly.
Please, God, they let him come home soon.
I know the kidnap is to create publicity but the best publicity for the Palestine cause was the remarkable journalism being undertaken by Mr Johnston in Gaza. I cannot see any western news organisation allowing any of its staff to go near the place now so we will be reduced to long-distance accounts of what is happening.
My thoughts are with his family.
At least we know how he is at present.
Peter #6,
Perhaps the kidnappers believe that their words said by a respected ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ journalist would carry more weight than from any random anti-west propagandist. And they have a point.
All those times that we see a captured soldier/sailor in a video, we know perfectly well(*) that they are being forced to say what they do on such broadcasts, but somehow their retractions made after their release never quite work, there always seems to be some doubt.
(*) OK, so maybe one or two have had Sauline conversions.
Jason's point about Alan Johnston is most pertinent.
And, of course, he's reading from a script.
Maybe his kidnappers thought that these words from him would be more acceptable, if that's the word, or believable.
The caption at the end sounds extraordinary; such blunt, cruel propaganda.
(This is what I gather from WATO)
Peter (6), that comment is in poor taste, imo. Alan Johnston is a brave man for reporting on the plight of the Palestians living in the Gaza strip. You only have to read the comments made by ordinary Palestinians demanding his release to realise that they view his abduction as abhorrent as much as we do.
Although what he and his family are going through must be hell on earth it's so good to know he's still alive.
I'm hoping that in some way Alan Johnston is one step closer to being released.
Re anth - well we hope the video has just been made - alas there is no way of knowing when.
I didn't understand their point of putting up a caption saying "The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ have refused to send this message to his family" when Alan started to give a message?
I mean that was totally bizarre?
Well I hope and pray he *is* being looked after and well fed. Such a harrowing time for both Alan and his family.
jonnie, that was the point I tried (less succinctly) to put across in my earlier post.
It's just more propaganda. Not everyone will have our - I don't know, perception, or access to news, or whatever - to realise the lie in that caption. I'm guessing.
Meanwhile, message for Izzy - how's it going? You're still around, well done. Just remember how great it'll be when the exams are over. And what a party we'll have on the Beach!
I'm glad to have heard the item on Alan Johnston. And the fact that not only the UK parliament, but the Palestinian, are doing the best they can.
I hope that Terry Waite is right, and that Alan is finding new resources. But I hope, too, that he won't spend much more time as a 'trophy' captive - which I suspect is what he is.
I hope that this was a video made in the past day or two and not a cruel fake from longer ago.
Continuing prayer, crossed fingers and good wishes of all sorts seem to be all we can do, and until he is released (when not if, please!) we won't know what pressure was applied, what was really going on, or anything more about it than "He was alive at some point quite a long time after he was kidnapped". Sad, but true.
Marvellous. Pour millions into the voluntary sector to change the UK drinking culture alongside lowering price for alcoholic beverages which makes you billions.
Who are these people who come on national radio to try and defend the indefensible???
It is strange how we automatically consider the
message sent by Mr Johnston does not necessarily accord with his own opinions.
As for bravery it can often really be foolhardy.
Though I conceed in this instance he was certainly dedicated.
BTW Annie -
As an American you have rubbished the English language anyway ...... ;-)
Re: Peter Bolt :-
I hear what you say - however, to those of us who are familiar with Alan's reporting, the tape lacked his journalistic impartiality.
Agree with others above especially Jason, Frances & Jonnie
Really hope that this will turn out to be a positive sign and he will return safe and well. Like others above, it seemed to me that he was either reading from, or sticking closely to, an agreed script. I could forgive anyone for saying almost anything in a situation like his and other hostages'
Am thinking lots of positive thoughts for his family, friends & colleaguesx
Have to echo most people here - I hope he's safe and this is indeed better news than I feared.
Strangely now, when (pray when) he comes back, he won't be able to go back as a reporter to Palestine. Not because he may not want to, or the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ will review their policy, but because he will be "compromised" in the eyes of people there. If anyone from any side don't like what he's saying, then it is so easy to say "ah yes, see how his sympathies are now with (x)"
Yet his impartial reporting had been the marked constant about him, requiring a strong personality, empathy and intelligence, thus probably wouldn't be affected by this abuse.
Lets pray he comes back to at least have such a problem.