Posted on 08/15/2006 11:45:56 AM PDT by Blogger
Palestinian security forces hunted for two abducted Fox News journalists Tuesday, and the Palestinian president and prime minister intervened in an attempt to gain their release.
President Mahmoud Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister of the Hamas-led government, scheduled meetings with the news organization's Jerusalem bureau chief, Eli Fastman, and its chief correspondent in Israel, Jennifer Griffin.
The prime minister assured the Fox News representatives that Palestinian security forces would use all their power to "put an end to it soon," said government spokesman Ghazi Hamad said, without elaborating.
Investigators said the president's office was closely following the probe into the abduction.
American reporter Steve Centanni, 60, and New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, were seized by masked gunmen Monday near the headquarters of the Palestinian security services.
No one has claimed responsibility for kidnapping, and police said no demands have been made. Major militant groups denied any connection to the abduction.
U.S. officials said they were in touch with Abbas' office, Palestinian security officials and the Israelis to see if they can help secure the journalists' release.
"Certainly we are concerned about their safety, that is why we are working to ensure their freedom," said Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, a spokeswoman for the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem.
She said it was still unclear who was holding the journalists.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark dispatched diplomats to Gaza to assist in any contacts for their release. She said she was "very concerned" about the kidnapping.
Wiig's wife, Anita McNaught, said Fox representatives told her negotiations for their release were already under way. But officials in Gaza said no contact had been established with the kidnappers.
Nabil Abu Rdeinah, an Abbas aide, said the president ordered all security forces to work on tracking the two journalists. "This is an unacceptable act. We condemn this operation and hope we would succeed to find a peaceful solution very soon," he said.
An investigator in the case, speaking on condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardize the investigation, said suspicions were focusing on a renegade group from an established Palestinian militant organization, but he declined to give further details. The car in which the journalists were taken has been identified, he said.
Centanni was behind the wheel of the Fox vehicle, marked in large letters "TV," when the gunmen pulled up and stopped them, a Fox employee said. A Palestinian who was with them was forced onto the floor at gunpoint, and the two journalists were taken away.
An official following the investigation said the getaway car was spotted driving south along the coastal road.
Police and security forces were deployed at major intersections and roads in Gaza immediately after the kidnapping.
Several foreigners have been kidnapped in Gaza by small groups seeking the release of relatives from jail, jobs or other personal favors. All have been freed within a few days without harm.
Prayers up.
Steve Centanni seemed to be closer to the action in recent weeks. While other journalists were sometimes wearing their street clothes without gear, Centanni has consistently been in helmet and flak jacket. If my recollection is incorrect, pls advise. I worry about anyone who's over there.
http://www.leesvilledailyleader.com/articles/2006/08/16/breaking_news/news5.txt
Wife of kidnapped Fox journalist says no political group behind abductions
By DIAA HADID/Associated Press Writer
Published: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 7:37 AM CDT
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - The wife of a kidnapped Fox News cameraman said Wednesday she's been told by Palestinian officials her husband's captors acted on their own, without support from militant groups.
The cameraman, Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand, and Fox reporter Steve Centanni, 60, a U.S. citizen, were abducted Monday from their TV van near the Palestinian security services headquarters.
Major militant groups in Gaza have denied involvement and no public demands had been made.
Wiig's wife, Anita McNaught, on Wednesday appealed to the kidnappers to free her husband and Centanni.
‘‘The bottom line is there is no good reason for these two men to be held,'' said McNaught, a BBC World presenter. ‘‘They are friends of the Palestinians. They are here telling the Palestinian story for weeks now, when the rest of the worlds media has not been here.''
Directing her words to her husband in the on-camera interview and choking back tears, McNaught said: ‘‘It's going to be all right. You are going to come home to me.''
McNaught said she had just finished covering the war in Lebanon and was flying home through Damascus when she got the news of the kidnapping.
McNaught said she has been told by Palestinian officials that the kidnappers appear to be rogue gunmen without ties to any of the political groups in Gaza.
Scores of foreigners have been abducted in Gaza in recent years, most by gunmen with ties to the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a violent offshoot of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.
The ruling Hamas movement has not played a prominent role in kidnappings of foreigners. However, in June, Hamas-allied militants abducted an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, in a cross-border raid, triggering a major Israeli offensive in the coastal strip.
Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas have been involved in efforts to free the journalists.
Jan Henderson, the New Zealand ambassador to Israel and Turkey, said Wednesday that Palestinian leaders have assured her and other diplomats they are doing everything they can to win the release of the hostages.
Henderson said she had made contact with diplomatic colleagues and senior Palestinian Authority figures, including in Abbas' office, immediately after arriving in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
‘‘They assured me they are doing all they can, they take this matter extremely seriously, and we are looking for a very quick and peaceful resolution,'' Henderson said.
‘‘The Palestinian Authority has offered every cooperation. They are very upset,'' she said.
Mark
"This kidnapping is orchestrated by Iran and Syria and is nothing more than extortion, not for money, but for Fox News to make claims of Israel's defeat against Hamas and Hezbos. Fox News will accommodate them."
Yeah, interesting they didn't kidnap a CNN or MessNBC reporter.
this could EASILY be Christianne Amanpour or any other "INFIDEL"
Except for the fact that Christianne is on THEIR side. Does it make her less of an infidel that her father is Iranian and she lived in Iran for many years as a child?
I have always found the more noise you make concerning an injustice, the more attention and support you get. Rather than cower from the terrorists, FOX should be offering $$$ reward for the return unharmed of the two who have been kidnapped. By not saying anything, encourages terrorists to kidnap more people. By creating a ruckus, the rest of the world knows you are complaining and want justice. Nothing is to be gained by keeping quiet.
Outfu##ing standing!
It does not makes sense to me. It is being reported lots of places. I also noticed Jennifer Griffin has left the scene. Perhaps she is trying to find them but she used to do the reporting there and mentioned it on air the first night. Since then nothing.
The whole thing is just plain weird.
I think the decision not to even acknowlwdge the man is disgraceful.
Before they go on with their silliness it seems it would be appropriate to mention the guy and although they can't give out details, remind folks of his good work and what a wonderful dedicated Fox family member he is and to remain vigilant and prayerful.
I have noticed Fox has been very pro-Hamas this week and is trying to downplay everything Israel has done.
Maybe you two should call FOX and offer your services. You seem to know much more about how to handle this catastrophe than the professionals.
He looks early-40's.
Good idea! Thanks for the suggestion!
p.s. If you don't like our posts just ignore them and "move along" to the like minded.
FOX BREAKS SILENCE!!!
Brit Hume just covered the story in detail!! Yes, I feel better now!
Good Lord, life is full of irony. I am paying attention to the JonBenet thread and completely missed it.
So the chastiser is asking the chastised "What did he say?"
:-)
Prayers going up. Hope we find them soon.
Don't have to. Tonight, Brit Hume talked about the kidnapping and said that FOX had not spoken with the kidnappers. So all the "stuff" about not rocking the boat was hogwash as FOX had not been in contact with the kidnappers.
It was very well stated. Showed their pictures and said that for 2 days they have been missing and Jennifer Griffin is talking with people trying to find them but unfortunatley no news on their whereabouts.
Continued prayers for these 2 and their families.
Thanks
Amen, hoosiermama! SOON!
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