Alawi's relatives kidnapped

[Michele 1]

Just coming across the news now.

Alawi's (Iraq's interim PM) cousin (70 y/o), his cousin's wife, and the cousin's daughter-in-law were kidnapped (either yesterday or this morning) as they were leaving their home. They were kidnapped at gunpoint, and a message has been sent that they will be beheaded within 48 hours (I don't know if there were conditions set for their release...)

This could be a huge problem. If Alawi concedes to the demands of the kidnappers, he will lose all authority in the region (and his authority is not solid in any event...); if he does not, it will be a horrible blow to him on a personal level.

Damn.

And they've also found abandoned "slaughter houses" in Falluja, with the remnants of kidnappers and cds/video/documents of those kidnapped and killed. It is unknown if British Margaret Hassan was held there.

Again, damn.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[nacmacfeegle 0]

"I don't know if there were conditions set for their release"

Pull back from Falluja I believe was one of the demands as reported by the BBC earlier.


"It is unknown if British Margaret Hassan was held there."

I'm hoping its unlikely Zarqawi is not interested in Margaret Hassan, and is reported not to be in Falluja anyways. (again BBC)

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[cloudseeker2001 0]

Well, I think everyone is missing the main point...................Just think how bad things would be for the people of Iraq if the USA would have just let SH in control............... Sure a few people have lost their heads, but compared to SH run of the country, it is a really nice place to live!

"Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance,
others mean and rueful of the western dream"