"US contractor missing and believed kidnapped in Iraq; Militant group has taken credit, releases video" by Ernesto Londono and Leila Fadel, Washington Post | February 7, 2010
Remember, readers, the Washington Post is the CIA 's newspaper.
Yup, straight from the horse's mou..., well, try the other end.
BAGHDAD - The Pentagon has acknowledged that an American contractor for the Defense Department is missing in Baghdad, an apparent confirmation of a Shi’ite militant group’s claim this week that it abducted an American in Baghdad last month.
The case marks the first reported kidnapping of an American citizen in Iraq in more than 18 months.
The League of the Righteous, a militant group that has kidnapped Westerners in Iraq in the past, posted a statement and video on its website Thursday showing the hostage.
Oh, big whoop, a video on the website.
Related:
Prop 101: Al-CIA-Duh's Greatest Hits
Prop 101: The "Terrorism" Business
New York Times Admits War on Terror is U.S. Creation
I'm tired of playing fooleys, MSM.
The statement demanded the release of militants who have fought US forces and punishment of the guards employed by Blackwater Worldwide - now known as Xe Services - who were involved in a shooting in Baghdad in 2007 that claimed the lives of 14 Iraqis.
Oh, therefore Blackwater must stay and we can't cut a deal -- not with terrorists!
CUI BONO?
The Pentagon said in a prepared statement that contractor Issa T. Salomi, 60, of El Cajon, Calif., has been missing since Jan. 23. He was last seen in Baghdad, where he worked alongside US soldiers. Salomi’s wife, Muna, confirmed that the man in the video is her husband.
The Pentagon said that “search and recovery efforts are ongoing’’ but disclosed no additional information.
General Hussein Kamal, the Iraqi Interior Ministry’s director of intelligence and criminal investigations, said Salomi was kidnapped in Karrada, an upscale district in central Baghdad.
Hmmmmmmm!!!
Another Iraqi intelligence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Salomi, who is of Iraqi descent, was visiting relatives when he was taken hostage.
Even STINKIER, folks!!!!
US officials have cautioned that kidnapping remains a serious threat for American government employees and civilians in Iraq. They say they worry that finding abducted Americans in Baghdad will be more challenging under regulations that first went into effect last summer.
It's the first one in 18 months, cui bono?
The rules, imposed as part of the nominal withdrawal of US troops from Iraqi cities, have restricted the movement and authority of US troops in urban areas.
IN NAME ONLY, Amurkns?
I knew we were NEVER LEAVING and NEVER DID!!!!
In the short video released by the militant group, a man wearing US combat fatigues - which US interpreters wear - says he is in good health and reports that he is being treated humanely.
Oh, well, that cinches it then. My bad.
The man, who does not identify himself, calls for the release of “those detainees who have resisted the occupation and that have never been involved in any serious crime against their fellow innocent Iraqis.’’
The man also says the Blackwater guards involved in the shooting in the capital’s Nisoor Square should face “proper justice’’ and “proper punishment’’ for what he describes as “unjustifiable crimes against innocent Iraqi civilians who were bystanders.’’
In the video, the captive speaks calmly and is seen sitting on a chair in front of a banner bearing the name of the militant group.
“I would also like to relay the justifiable demands of the Iraqi Islamic resistance movement for the complete withdrawal of all foreign troops from Iraq so Iraq can become a sovereign nation again,’’ he says at the end of the video.
A what PoS PROPAGANDA!!
Yeah, we DEFINITELY CAN'T DO THAT, AmeriKa!
Reached at home, Salomi’s wife, Muna, 52, said she was distraught. “I’m very sick,’’ she said. “I cannot talk.’’
Imagine how the families of the guys we have in secret torture chambers feel.
Last month, Qais al-Khazaali, a leading figure in the League of the Righteous and a former lieutenant to fiery Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, was released from US custody and freed by Iraqi officials....
So it must have been him, right?
And, gee, speak of the devil....
Related: Slow Saturday Special: Sadr Knows
Occupation Iraq: Sectarian Saviors
The Real Muqtada al-Sadr
That's the one you never read about in your War Paper, AmeriKa.
Now about that "sectarianism."
The League of the Righteous has been in reconciliation talks with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government. Last week, however, group leaders accused the government of balking on its promise to release detainees.
US military officials say they fear violence could surge if talks between the group and the Iraqi government collapse.
But will the MSM papers tell us about it?
--more--"
Something I found hidden in the briefs.
"Missing contractor returns, US says
The United States says an Iraqi-American contractor said to have been kidnapped in Baghdad in January by Shi’ite militiamen is back in US hands. A Shi’ite extremist group claimed responsibility for the Jan. 23 kidnapping of Issa Salomi of El Cajon, Calif. A Pentagon statement yesterday said the case is under investigation. An Iraqi defense official said in February that Salomi was kidnapped by militiamen who offered to find relatives (AP)."
And I didn't even know he was gone.
Oh, I simply must have forgotten amongst the millions of dead and dismembered Iraqis, so sorry.
"Iraqi extremist group says it released American in prisoner swap" by Associated Press | March 29, 2010
SAN DIEGO — As the family of a captured Iraqi-American contractor in Iraq prepared to welcome him home, an extremist group issued a statement yesterday indicating that Issa Salomi’s release came in exchange for the release by the Iraqi government of four of its members.
The Shi’ite group claimed responsibility for the Jan. 23 kidnapping of Salomi and posted a video online that showed a man wearing military fatigues, reading a list demands for the release of militants, the prosecution of Blackwater guards, and an immediate US troop withdrawal.
Asaib Ahl al-Haq, known in English as the League of the Righteous, said four of its members were freed “in response to our demands following the capture of the American officer,’’ a reference to Salomi, who was not identified by name. The statement was posted on a website commonly used by the group....
Well, you know how I'm feeling these days about such things.
Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said that he had “no information that anyone was released in return’’ for Salomi....
Accepted as the lie it likely is.
The Pentagon said Saturday that Salomi was back under US military control but gave no details on his disappearance or return....
So where were they keeping him?
Under U.S. military control?
He was a PRIVATE contractor.
--more--"
Shouldn't this guy have been on a TV show by now, or did I also miss that since I don't watch television anymore?
They seem to be stuck underground in a mine shaft from what little I've seen or heard (other than the Glob).
